The New Student's Reference Work/Gosnold, Bartholomew

Gos′nold, Bartholomew, an English navigator and an early explorer of New England. In 1602 he sailed to America in the Concord with the idea of founding a permanent colony. He touched the coast of Maine, discovered and named Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Elizabeth Island, now Cuttyhunk, and at the last-mentioned place attempted to found the colony. The difficulties of pioneer life and the hostility of the Indians soon made all hands discouraged, and they returned to England laden with a cargo of furs, cedar and sassafras.

In 1606 Gosnold was influential in securing a charter from James I, for the purpose of establishing a colony in Virginia. The following year three ships were sent out, carrying 105 adventurers as prospective colonists. Jamestown was founded, but the settlement was unsuccessful, Gosnold with many others being carried off by disease before many months had passed away in the new colony.