Origin of the Names of the several United States.
Maine was so called, as early as 1623, 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 Captain John Mason, by patent, November 7th, 1629, with reference to the patentee, who was Governor of Portsmouth, in Hampshire, England.
Vermont was so called by the inhabitants in their Declaration of Independence, January 16th, 1777, from the French, verd mont, the green mountain.
Massachusetts was so called from Massachusetts Bay, and that from the Massachusetts tribe of Indians in the neighborhood of Boston. Massachusetts is said to signify “Blue Hills.”
Rhode Island was so called, in 1644, in reference to the Island of Rhodes, in the Mediterranean.
Connecticut was so called from the Indian name of its principal river. Connecticut is a Moheakanneew word, signifying long river.
New York was so called in 1664, in reference to the Duke of York and Albany, to whom this territory was granted by the King of England.
New Jersey was so called in 1664, from the Island of Jersey, on the coast of France, the residence of the family of Sir George Carteret, to whom this territory was granted.
Pennsylvania was so called in 1681, after William Penn.
Delaware was so called in 1703, 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 Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles I., in his patent to Lord Baltimore, June 30, 1632.
Virginia was so called in 1584, after Elizabeth, the virgin Queen of England.
Carolina was so called by the French in 1564, in honor of King Charles IX. of France.
Georgia was so called in 1732, in honor of King George II.
Alabama was so called in 1817, from its principal river.
Mississippi was so called in 1800, from its western boundary. Mississippi is said to denote the whole river, that is, the river formed by the union of many.
Louisiana was so called in honor of Louis XIV. of France.
Tennessee was so called in 1796, from its principal river. The word Ten-assee is said to signify a curved spoon.
Kentucky was so called in 1792, from its principal river.
Illinois was so called in 1809, from its principal river. The word is said to signify the river of men.
Indiana was so called in 1809, from its being, for a long time, occupied by several large Indian tribes.
Ohio was so called in 1802, from its southern boundary.
Missouri was so called in 1821, from its principal river.
Michigan was so called in 1805, from the lake on its border.
Arkansas was so called in 1819, from its principal river.
Florida was so called by Juan Ponce de Leon, in 1572, because it was discovered on Easter Sunday, in Spanish Pascua Florida. Some say it was so called from its florid appearance, in consequence of the great number of flowers it produced.
Columbia was so called in reference to Columbus.
Wisconsin was so called from its principal river.
Iowa is so called from its principal river.
Oregon is so called from its principal river.