Sir Ferdinand Gorges was a major promoter of English colonization of New England, and was a key figure in establishment and operations of the Council.

Some of the persons involved had previously received a charter in 1606 as the Plymouth Company and had founded the short-lived Popham Colony within the territory of northern Virginia (actually in present-day Maine in the United States).

[2] The Council was re-established, with support from Gorges, after (1) Captain John Smith had completed a thorough survey of the Atlantic side of New England (and named it such), (2) Richard Vines over-wintered in 1616, off the Maine coast and discovered that a plague was decimating Native Americans and (3) a friendly English speaking local Native American had been placed in the most likely colonization spot.

[4] Individuals listed as beneficiaries of the charter include:[5] The Council would have full legal rights of governance and administration over the colonial plantation.

In 1622, the Plymouth Council issued a land grant to John Mason which ultimately evolved into the Province of New Hampshire.