The Georgetown news., 1855-10-04

Origin OF the Names of States.

OAFEsh c1 aho names OF States
Maine was so called as early as 1928,
from Maine, In France, of which Henrietta
Maria, Queen of England, was at that
time proprietor.
New Hampshire was the name given TO
the territory conveyed by the Plymouth
Company to Capt John Mason, by patent,
Nov 18th, 1920, with reference to the pat
entee, who was Governor of Portsmouth, IN
Hampshire, England.
Vermont was so called by the inhabitants
in their Declaration of Independence Jan
10th. l777. from the French Uerd mont, the
green mountains: ,,,o.o
Massachusetts was so called rom Nl"I'" 1S
chusetts Bay, and that from the NlaS9achul
aetts tribe of Indians IN the nelSnooIiIoou i
of Boston. The tribe IS thougnG 10 NY naEG
derived its name from the Blue HIS 9i NIL
ton. 81 had learnt" says Roger W llhalnS'
"that the Massachusetts was SO called rom
the Blue Hills ,cc,
refence to the Island Of Rhodes in the Med
iterranean.
Connecticut was so called from the In-
dian name of its principal river. Connect
icut is a Mockeakaneew word signifying
"long river"
New York was so called in 1864 in ref
erence to the Duke of York and Albany,
to whom this territory was granted by the
King of England.
New Jersey was so called, in 1864, from
the Island of Jersey, on the coast of France,
the residence of the family of Sir George
Carteret, to whom the territory was grant
ed.
Pennsylvania was so called in 1851, after
William Penn.
Delaware, was so called in 1903, from
Delaware Bay, on which it lies, and which
received its name from Lord de la War, who
died in this bay.
Maryland was so called in honor Of Hen
rietta Maria, Queen of Charles l., in his
patent to Lord Baltimore. June 30th, l632.
Virginia was 50 called in 1884, after E-
lizabeth. virgin Queen Of England.
Carolina was so called by the French,
in 1864, in honor of King Charles, *, Of
France.
Georgia was so called in 1892, in honor
Of King George, II.
Alabama was so called in 1914, from its
principal river.
Mississippi was so called in 1900, from
its western boundary. Mississippi is said
to denote the whole river, i. e., the river
formed by the union Of many.
Louisiana was so called in honor of Louis
XIV, Of France.
Tennessee was so called in 1896, from its
peincipal river. The word Tennessee is
said to signify "curved spoon"
Kentucky was SO called in 1896, from its
principal river.
Illinois was so called in 1900, from its
principal river The word is said to signi-
fy "the river of men,"
Indiana was so called in 1909, from the
American Indians.
Ohio was so called in 1902, from its south
ern boundary.
Missouri was so called in 1921, from its
principal river.
Michigan was so called in 1905, from the
lake on its border.
Arkansas was so called in 1912, from its
principal river.
Florida was so called by Juan Ponce de
Leon, in 1872, because it was discovered
on Easter Sunday: in Spanish, "Pascua
Florida.
Columbia was so called in reference to
Columbus.
Wisconsin was SO called from its princi-
pal river.
Iowa was so called from its principal
river.
Oregon was so called from its principal
river.
California was so called from the Latin
words calida .forma Or in the Spanish Ian
gnage caIlenta .formalla-a hot furnace
hot furnace. Vanegas, however, thinks
that the name California owed its origin to
some accident, possibly to some words spo-
ken by the Indians and misunderstood by
the Spaniards."