Captain John Mason's 1622 Land Grant: New Hampshire, Not Maine

1622 Grant: Captain John Mason & New Hampshire

In 1622, the Council for New England granted Captain John Mason a patent for territory between the Merrimack and Kennebec Rivers—named "Mariana" (later New Hampshire) in honor of his patron's wife, Mary.

Key Facts

• Grantee: Captain John Mason (alone; no co-grantee named in 1622 patent)
• Territory: Present-day New Hampshire (not Maine)
• Name origin: "Mariana" → New Hampshire (after Hampshire, England)
• Later: Mason also received 1629 grant for "Laconia" (Lake Winnipesaukee region) with Sir Ferdinando Gorges

Common Confusion

Mason and Gorges jointly received a 1622 grant for Maine (between Merrimack and Sagadahoc), but the 1622 Mariana grant was Mason's alone for New Hampshire. The question conflates the two.

Mason never settled personally; he sent agents. New Hampshire became royal province 1679; Maine part of Massachusetts until 1820.