In the following pages an attempt is made to record the promi nent facts with reference to the beginnings of colonial Maine. To the earlier part of these beginnings, neither Sullivan in his History of the District of Maine nor Williamson in his History of the State of Maine devoted much space. When they wrote, the known and accessible sources of information concern ing those earlier undertakings were exceedingly scanty. Careful research, however, especially in the last half century, has brought to light valuable original materials for the history of that earlier period, and the discovery of these materials has greatly enlarged our knowledge with reference both to facts and persons.