This place was first settled in August of 1622 as the Wessagussett Colony, consisting of 50-60 colonists, mostly men, who were ill-prepared for settlement life. By March of 1623, ten of them had died from starvation and the settlement was on the verge of collapse. At the same time, Chief Massasoit, friend of the pilgrims in Plymouth, warned of an eminent attack being planned by several neighboring tribes against the Wessagussett and Plymouth colonies. Heeding the warning, Gov. Bradford sent Miles Standish and the Plymouth militia to thwart the attack, which they accomplished, although conflicts with the natives were unresolved. Still, the Wessagussett Colony was dissolved and most of the remaining settlers ended up returning to England. Another group led by Robert Gorges attempted to settle here later that same year but most of them fled due to harsh winter conditions. The name was changed to Weymouth in 1635, when 100 new families led by Joseph Hull arrived.