Born in Lincolnshire, England in 1579. From an early age he traveled, was a soldier and adventurer. He wrote his autobiography which describes the most extraordinary adventures. Went to Virginia in 1607 and helped found Jamestown. He became Governor and through his very strong leadership the settlement survived. However, he was captured by Indians, his life was saved by Pochontas, freed, made enemies among the colonists, and left Virginia in 1609.

In 1614, he voyaged to Northern Virginia, which he subsequently called New England.

Explored and charted Maine coast. Johns Bay named for him. Isle of Shoals he named Smith’s Isles.

In two barks, with Hunt captaining the second, and 45 men he landed at Monhegan end of April, anchoring between Manana and Monhegan. The northern entrance blocked by Smutty Nose Isle.

Their objectives were to search for gold (Smith called that a device to interest investors), catch whales, fish and barter for pelts. However, Smith was determined to do a proper survey of the coastline he called New England. He had other charts which he considered woefully inadequate.

Leaving the bulk of his men and the two barks to fish as well as to try and catch whales, he persuaded Tisquantum to be his guide, who appeared to have been visiting Pemaquid when Smith arrived, and with about a dozen men sailed in a shallop (brought in pieces and assembled on Monhegan) from Monhegan, which he called Barty Isles, to explore Penobscot Bay, which he called Pembrocks Bay,– starting with Metinic Island, (Metinicus), and Matinicus (Matinnack).

The map he drew includes many of the islands in West Penobscot and East Penobscot. He noted Isle au Haut (Sirico), and the Fox Islands. He traversed Fox Islands Thoroughfare, calling Vinal Haven, Martins Isle. He did not travel up the Penobscot River, going up the East side of the bay, around Isleborough and down the West side, exploring Camden, Rockport and Rockland harbours.

He worked his way through the islands (St Georges Islands) into St Georges River which he sailed up, following Weymouth’s route. On his return he explored the islands of Muscongus Bay, making for Pemaquid hoping to meet up with Tahanedo. From there he mapped the Damariscotta River, followed the coastline west, bypassing Booth Bay and sailed/rowed up the Sheepscot as far as what is now Wiscasset. Then down to the Kennebec, at the mouth of which was Seguin Island which he called Satquin. Entered the Kennebec River in June. Sailed up the Kennebec as far as what is now called Augusta, (Edenborough).

Smith admired the land he saw and found many places right for English settlement. Fertile, berries, trees, fish, shell fish. The Indians though cautious and apt to act suspiciously, he said could be traded with.

From the Kennebec, he explored Casco Bay, which he called Harrington Bay and which the Indians called  Aucocisco, again finding many natural harbours and shelters for ships. On to Cape Elizabeth (Point Kent) and then the Saco. They rowed up stream to the indian village of the Sokokis, which Smith called Sowocotuck. (Champlain called it Chouacoet), subsequently renamed on his map as Ipswich.

Mapped Fletcher’s Neck which he calls Point Reeves. Sailed on down the coast past Cape Neddick (he called Point Davies). Explored a little way up the York River. York harbour he called Accominticus harbour. He noted Mount Agamenticus which he called Snadoun Hill.

Smith explored the mouth of the Piscataqua and the islands and coves therein but did not venture far. He, instead, turned his attention to a group of islands a few miles off the mouth of the Piscataqua. They had been a fishing landmark for years. Champlain had referenced them in his account of his voyage along the New England coast in 1605. Smith named them Smith’s isles. He was convinced that England needed a strong base for its fishing in New England. Piscataqua and the Isles could be easily defended and settled and the fishing close by was magnificent.. He continued to meet with and trade, helped by Tisquantum.

He sailed on down the coast and entered the mouth of the Merrimack river and explored the harbour – “large and safe enough for 500 ships” with a difficult entrance, especially at low tide.

Thence on to Cape Ann, which he called Cape Tragabigzanda, rowing/sailing along the inside of Plum Island. He did check out the entrance to the Essex River and Annisquam River but the entrance to both were dangerous with rocks and sandy shoals. He sailed around Cape Ann and named the three islands off the eastern coast of the Cape, the Three Turks’ Heads. Based on his map he did not explore Gloucester harbour but moved on down the coast past coastal land he called Naimkeck, subsequently called Naumkeag, the name of the local indian tribe. With the evidence of many indans living there as well as observing the land as they passed, Smith considered it suitable for settlement with fertile fields, wood and good for cattle. He surveyed Beverley and Salem harbours and bay.

Smith entered what is now Boston harbour, but then was a bay protected by a maze of islands and shoals. He mapped the bay, its islands and the Charles River. He met indians who he dicovered had already estabished trading relations with the French. He explored Shawmut and its three hills. Smith considered it ideal for settlement with fertile land and fresh springs, a wide range of trees suitable for ships and building, an abundance of berries and game. The bay area provided excellent fishing.

Travelling south along the coast he entered Cohasset cove (Quonahassit). He met local indians and traded with them. Closer to home Tisquantum had no problems acting as interpreter.

Further south to Scituate, where he entered the harbour and noted the North and South rivers. He named the southern point Point George. Further south, he entered an inlet to the south of which was the cove the indians called Accomack (New Plimouth harbour), where the Mayflower deposited the Puritans. Smith named it Whitson Bay. It was the home of the Patuxets, Tisquantum’s tribe. Since Pring’s visit in 1603, relations with the locals had soured as a result of Weymouth capturing Indians, followed by Harlow. There were difficulties, smoothed over by Tisquantum.

Smith explored Accomack. He found it a an excellent harbour and noted the fertility of the land and its suitablity for settlement. Thence to Cape Cod – a fine harbour and around and down Cape Cod’s eastern shore. Advised of shoals, he stayed well clear of Monomoy, sailing into Nantucket Sound.  Tisquantum continued with Smith around Cape Cod and was left with the Nausets. Smith returned directly to Monhegan with a boat full of pelts, arriving back mid-July. He reported on what he had seen on his journey. He had been in contact with over 40 indian villages between the 41s and 44th lat. He sailed from Monhegan on July 18  and with fair winds via the Azores arrived back in Plymouth, Devon at the end of August.

He attempted two further voyages back to New England, both unsuccessful. He died in London in 1631.