bólusettum

Bólusettum, also known as the Bolus River Settlement, was a small, short-lived settlement established by the English in the early 17th century in present-day Maine, United States. It was one of the earliest English attempts at colonization in the region.

The settlement was founded in 1607 by a group of English explorers and colonists led by Captain George Popham. They arrived at the mouth of the Kennebec River, which they named the Sagadahoc River, and established a colony on the southern shore. The settlement was named after the nearby Bolus River, a tributary of the Kennebec.

Bólusettum was intended to be a trading post and a base for further exploration and colonization. The colonists built a fort, named Fort St. George, and several other buildings. They also established trade relations with the local Native American tribes, particularly the Abenaki.

However, the settlement faced numerous challenges. The harsh winter climate, scarcity of food, and diseases took a toll on the colonists. Additionally, the colony struggled with internal disputes and a lack of clear leadership after the death of George Popham in 1608.

By 1609, the colony had been abandoned. The colonists, including the new governor Raleigh Gilbert, decided to return to England. The exact reasons for the abandonment are not entirely clear, but it is believed that a combination of the aforementioned challenges and the lack of immediate economic success led to the colony's demise.

Today, the site of Bólusettum is a historic landmark. The remains of Fort St. George can still be visited, providing a glimpse into one of the earliest English colonial endeavors in North America.