Home > Bartholomew Gosnold

He was born in Ottley Hall in Suffolk, England in 1571. His parents were Anthony Gosnold and Dorothy Bacon . He graduated from Cambridge University and studied law at Middle Temple.

He was friend of Richard Hakluyt and sailed with Walter Raleigh. He obtained backing to attempt a colony in the New World and sailed in 1602 to establish a colony.

He pioneered a direct route due west from the AzoresThe Azores (or Acores in Portuguese) are an archipelago of Portuguese islands situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,500 km from Lisbon and about 3,900 km from the east coast of North America. The nine Azorean Islands extend for more than 6 to New EnglandThis article is about the region in the United States of America. For other uses, see New England (disambiguation . The New England region of the United States is located in the northeastern corner of the country. Boston is its business and cultural cente arriving in MayThis article is about the month of May. For other uses, see May (disambiguation). May is the fifth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 31 days. It may have been named for the Roman goddess Maia or more likely for the Roman goddess of fertili 1602 Cape Elizabeth in MaineMaine is a state of the United States. It is probably named after the French province of Maine. Another possibility for the name 'Maine' is that the people living on islands along the coast of Maine used to speak of going to the mainland as 'going over to (Lat 43 degrees). He skirted the coastline for several days before anchoring in York Harbor, MaineMaine is a state of the United States. It is probably named after the French province of Maine. Another possibility for the name 'Maine' is that the people living on islands along the coast of Maine used to speak of going to the mainland as 'going over to on May 14, 1602.

The next day, he sailed to Cape Cod. Following the coastline for several days, he discovered Martha's Vineyard and named it after his daughter. He established a small post on Elizabeth's Island , which is now called Cuttyhunk Island and is part of the town of Gosnold. The post was abandoned when the crew voted to return to England rather than attempt to winter over.

He spent several years after his return to England promoting a more ambitious attempt. He recruited his cousin-by-marriage Edward M. Wingfield as well as John Smith of Jamestown, his brother and a cousin, as well as members of his 1602 expedition to form the core of the Jamestown, Virginia colony.

He was popular among the colonists and opposed the location of the colony. He died 4 months after they landed of dysentery on August 22, 1607. By all accounts, he was greatly missed and his loss marked the beginnings of the discord which tore apart the colony its first couple years.