Posted on 08/16/2015 7:24:31 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
The most popular and very believable account is that the island was named by the British explorer Bartholomew Gosnold, after his infant daughter -- Martha... He would take short sails to "the big island" (Martha's Vineyard) for the purpose of gathering sassafras root, to be hauled back to England for medicinal use. Gosnold was only on Cuttyhunk about six weeks because of a small skirmish with the Wampanoags... the British wisely withdrew from the Islands before winter. Before leaving, however, it's believed that Gosnold named the big island after his infant daughter, Martha...
Another, not as popular version of the naming, is that the island was originally named Martin's Vineyard; and this theory does have a bit of documentation to support it. According to a few sources, the name Martin, or by some accounts "Martyn", was used when referring to the island in some primary sources such as journals, logs, and diaries of explorers. In addition, some of the deeds, wills, and bills of sale recorded by the colonial Massachusetts government were addressed as Martin's Vineyard.
This name could have come from another British explorer, named Martin Pring, who visited what is now Edgartown Harbor in 1605. Martin Pring isn't remembered for having a big impact on the island, however. He hung around for several days, traded with the Native Americans, scared them with his cannon a few times, and left. Another speculation is that the island was named after John Martin, who captained Gosnold's ship, The Concord...
By the way, there are no vineyards on Martha's Vineyard; but it is believed that there were wild grape vines all over the island when it was first settled, providing inspiration for the second half of the name.
(Excerpt) Read more at marthasvineyardtourguide.com ...
Gosnold's ship was named The Concord -- like the grape is. Coincidence? I think not! ;') Viking Vinland ping.
Thanks JoeProBono. The guy was there six weeks, and there's a painting? Wow.
Before photography, it took that long to take a snapshot.
;^)
The painting was done later based on a B&W Polaroid snapshot.
If you’ve never been there, don’t bother. Any small town in New England with ocean access will do just as well. MV is an outlandishly overrated place. I’ve been there three times but never again.
It was a purposed development that never happened. Kinda like New London of the Kelo seized land fame.
In 2010, the Yale Design Workshop, at the request of the city, created plans for a large development that included restaurants, a hotel, offices, art galleries, bicycle lanes, water taxis, a pedestrian bridge to downtown, and more with the use of “private, local, state, and federal funds.” The project never came to fruition.
Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/370441/nine-years-after-kelo-seized-land-empty-alec-torres
In those days the first thing the Indians made you do when you landed was stand there and get your portrait made.
Then when you went back to England with the tobacco they’d try to sell you an ashtray with your picture on it.
Bartholomew Gosnold had two daughters named Martha. One died before she reached her first year. But, that’s not who he named it after.
The island was named after Martha Judd, his mother-in-law. She, along with her husband Robert Golding, helped finance his voyage to America.
Where’s the movement to return Martha’s Vineyard to the Wampanoags, or their descendants?
“How Did Marth’s Vineyard Get it’s Name?”
By somebody dropping the “a” from “Martha” would be my guess.
It's mine.
GTFO!
;’)
The fact is, my first attempt had some junk characters, but the correction wasn’t, uh, correct. Mea non culpa.
You can have it.
If you’ve never been there, don’t bother. Any small town in New England with ocean access will do just as well. MV is an outlandishly overrated place. I’ve been there three times but never again.
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Other readers: please feel free to wantonly ignore the advice given above.
I do wonder why you returned for the 2nd and 3rd times feeling as you do.
One word: Menemsha.
Admittedly, Earl Weaver was still managing the Orioles when I last went there.
Was Columbus' mother-in-law named America?
My old boss has a house on MV. He said that all the liberals go to MV, all the Republicans go to Nantucket.
That’s funny, but no, it was not necessarily commonplace to name a body of land after the mother-in-law.
That is unless she helps fund the expedition, as is the case here.
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