Re: Naming of Martha's Vineyard
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In reply to:
Naming of Martha's Vineyard
helen m. 6/30/04
Helen, I'm glad to see your post.In a recent History Channel documentary about the secrets of Jamestown, aired November '04, it was stated that Martha's Vineyard was named after Bartholomews daughter.I was sad to hear this because I'm convinced that it was named after his wife's mother.
The argument for that is Sir Thomas Smythe, Martha Goldings nephew, is known to have provided some of the backing for the 1602 voyage.It is argued by Warner F. Gookin and Philip L. Barbour (book, "Bartholomew Gosnold, Discover and Planter, 1964") that she had great influence over Sir Thomas.The measure of Martha Golding's devotion to the her daughter Mary and Bartholomew's children is revealed in her will of 1614.It is easy to theorize that Bartholomew's naming of Martha's Vineyard is in gratitude of his mother-in-law's help in getting backing for the voyage.As well, Bartholomew's, Daughter Martha was dead over 3 years in 1602.