MARTHA'S VINEYARD (ante), an island 20 m. in length and 3 to 9 m. wide, off the s.e. coast of Massachusetts, is a part of Duke's co., and is separated from Barnstable co. by Vineyard sound, 3+ to 7 m. in width; pop. '70, 3,678. It was discovered by Bar tholomew Gosnold in 1602; and at that time was heavily wooded, and contained deer and other game, berries and fruits in profusion, a fre,sh-water lake, springs, and many wild vines. Gosnold at first gave the na.me, doubtless in memory of some friend, to a barren islet (No Man's Land) lying s.w. of the larger island to which he afterwards transferred the name. At the period of its discovery, Martha's Vineyard was found to be valuable on account of its growth of sassafras, which was highly esteemed in Europe as a medicine, and of which cargoes were carried away from the island and the main '.and. In 1647 Thomas Mayhew, who had become governor of this island in 1641, by grant from the earl of Stirling, settled where Edgartown now stands, and where the Mayhew family remained in control until 1710. 3Iembers of this family conducted nissionary enterprises on the island, among the natives, with great zeal and earnest less, and with such success that Christian villages abounded. The new converts pmved :heir devotion by guarding the island during the progress cf Philip's war; but later on they gradually died out. In 1885 the island of Martha's 6Vineyard was first ised for the purposes of a camp-meeting, 9 tents being pitched on the site of the pres ent camp-ground. This institution continued to thrive until it had grown to its present
haaportance and comprehensive scope. Of late years, the annual gathering for religious purposes has numbered as many as 25,000 persons, the meeting occurring in August, in a large grove of shade-trees. Here a settlement of tasteful cottages has grown up, the site being laid out in streets, lighted at night, and at such a time presenting a scene of fairy splendor. It has become a place of fashionable resort, families from Boston and other cities occupying the cottages during the season. East of the camp-grounds a ledge of bluffs extends along the edge of the shore, overlooking the sea from a height of about 30 feet. Here the village of Oak Bluffs was laid out in 1868, and has since become a fashionable watering-place, visited in the season even from so far s. as New York and Philadelphia. Oak Bluffs is connected with Edgartown by a narrow-gauge rail road. Twenty m. distant, at the w. end of the island, is Gayhead, an abrupt and hold coast-line eminence, which is said to be of volcanic origin. Six m. e. of Oak Bluffs ls Edgartown (q.v.), the principal town on the island; and beyond this is Katama bay, which is a place of resort for social entertainment, and has attractions in its beautiful scenery. The island is accessible by steamer from New Bedford and Wood's Holl.