The Plymouth Company, an English joint-stock company, played a significant role in the colonization of North America. On a notable day in June, Thomas Purchase was granted a land patent that empowered him to establish a settlement at Pejepscot, located on the banks of the Androscoggin River in what is now Maine. This patent allowed Purchase the rights to land previously designated by the company, underscoring a vital aspect of colonial expansion in the 17th century. With his background as a trader and planter, Purchase's settlement was instrumental in the development of the region, which was seen as a strategic area for trade and commerce.

The location at Fort Andross was particularly important as it provided access to both the river's natural resources and the surrounding fertile landscape. Purchase's efforts were supported by the Plymouth Company as they sought to expand territorial claims and foster economic growth through agriculture and trade. The land patent formalized his legal standing as the first settler, allowing him and his followers to create a community that would contribute to the New England colony's success.

As the first settler at Pejepscot, Thomas Purchase's presence marked the beginning of permanent European settlement in the area, which would evolve with more inhabitants and develop into a vital part of Maine's history. The subsequent growth of this settlement not only influenced the local economy but also impacted the demographic and cultural landscape of New England, weaving the story of colonization and its challenges, including relations with Indigenous peoples, into the fabric of the colony.