The Elizabeth Islands are a chain of small islands extending southwest from the southern coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts in the United States. They are located at the outer edge of Buzzards Bay, north of Martha's Vineyard from which they are separated by Vineyard Sound, and constitute the town of Gosnold, Massachusetts in Dukes County. All of the Elizabeth Islands except Cuttyhunk and Penikese are privately owned by the Forbes family.
The islands were claimed by England and named after Queen Elizabeth I. In 1641, Thomas Mayhew Sr. of Watertown, Massachusetts, bought the islands (along with Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard) from William Alexander, the Earl of Sterling. Before the creation of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in 1691, the islands were part of the extinct Dukes County, New York. The total land area of the islands is 34.55 km² (13.34 sq mi) and there was a permanent population of 86 persons as of the 2000 census.
Other articles related to "elizabeth islands, islands, island":
... The earliest settlers of the Elizabeth Islands were the Wampanoag Native Americans ... The tribe did not settle permanently on the Elizabeth Islands, but used them in summer for hunting, fishing, and gardening ... Occasionally, arrowheads or stone tools are unsurfaced on the islands ...
... Channels with strong tidal currents, known locally as holes, separate the islands from each other and the mainland ... the named channels are Woods Hole separating the mainland from Nonamesset Island Robinson Hole between Naushon Island and Pasque Island Quick's Hole between Pasque Island and Nashawena Island Canapitsit Channel ... Harbor is sheltered on its east by Nashawena Island on its west by Cuttyhunk Island and on its north by Penikese Island ...
Famous quotes containing the word elizabeth:
“A sumptuous dwelling the rich man hath.
And dainty is his repast;
But remember that luxurys prodigal hand
Keeps the furnace of toil in blast.”
—Mary Elizabeth Hewitt (b.1818)