388 HOLLICK 



and the Weepeckets ; Pasque ; Nashaweena ; Penikese, including 

 Gull Island ; and Cuttyhunk. Together they constitute the 

 Town of Gosnold and are included with Martha's Vineyard in 

 the County of Dukes, State of Massachusetts. 



The names by which the islands are known are of indian ori- 

 gin, but nearly all have undergone more or less change or 

 modification since the time of the aboriginal designations. In an 

 old history of the region^ may be found the following informa- 

 tion relating to them : 



Modern Names Indian Names 



Elizabeth Islands. Nashanow Islands. 



Naushon, Naushuan. Katomuck. 

 Nonamessett, Monomessett. Nanomeesett. 



Uncatina, Onkatonka. Uncatincett. 



Pasque, Pesque. Peshchameesett, Pesquineese. 

 Nashaweena. 

 Penikese, Peniquese. 



Cuttyhunk. Poocutohunkunnoh. 



The latter also appears to have been known as the original 

 Elizabeth Island, before the name was made to include the en- 

 tire group. 



It may perhaps also be of interest to note that the name Buz- 

 zard's Bay is said to have been derived from " Buzzardet " or 

 little buzzard, the name under which the fish hawk was formerly 

 known and which were very abundant there. 



The name Weepecket is supposed to be a corruption of 

 " Wabacuck," the Indian name for the bald eagle. 



General Information 



The islands had attracted my attention and had aroused my 

 curiosity and interest for some time, partly because little or 

 nothing had been written in regard to them^ and partly for the 



' The History of New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, etc. Daniel 

 Ricketson. New Bedford, 1 85 8. 



^ The earliest reference which I have been able to discover is entitled " Notices 

 on the Geology of Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands," by Edward 

 Hitchcock, in Am. Journ. Sci., vii. (1824), 240-248, but the geological features 

 were merely noted by him in passing by the islands and they are exceedingly brief 

 and superficial. 



