It existed through a series of land patents made by the kings of England during this era, and included New Somersetshire, Lygonia, and Falmouth (now Portland, Maine).

Lack of funding and the absence of a royal charter held back development,[citation needed] and only a few small settlements were established.

[3] This renewed colonization effort was also hampered by lack of money and settlers, but continued to survive even after the death of Gorges in 1647.

In 1664, Charles II of England made a grant to James, Duke of York for territories north and east of the Kennebec River.

This region, which had previously been called the Territory of Sagadahock, forms the eastern portion of the present-day state of Maine.