Cape Ann
Encyclopedia
Cape Ann is a rocky cape
in northeastern Massachusetts
on the Atlantic Ocean
. The cape
is located approximately 30 miles northeast of Boston and forms the northern edge of Massachusetts Bay
. Cape Ann includes the city of Gloucester
, and the towns of Essex
, Manchester-by-the-Sea
, and Rockport
.
. She had fallen in love with him. He later escaped in Russia. When Smith presented his map to Charles I
he suggested that Charles should feel free to change any of the "barbarous names" (meaning the many Native American names) for "English" ones. The king made many such changes, but only four survive today, one of which is Cape Ann, which Charles named in honor of his mother, Anne of Denmark
.
after Popham Colony
, Plymouth Colony
and Nantasket Beach
. Two ships of the Dorchester Company brought 32 in number with John Tylly and Thomas Gardner
as overseers of a fishing operation and the plantation, respectively. This colony predated Massachusetts Bay charter and colony. For that reason, members of the colony were referred to as "old planters
".
By 1634 the name of Cape Ann was already established, as it is mentioned and depicted on maps in William Wood's New England's Prospect first published in that year.
. Many locals who live in East Gloucester and Rockport refer to the land east of the Annisquam as "The Island". There is a waning but still persistent sense of independence that exists amongst some of those living there who are from old families that they rarely, or never, "cross over the bridge" since everything they need is on the island. The island has its own schools, water supply (by quarries), and even its own hospital, the Addison Gilbert Hospital. Cape Ann is also featured as the setting for the Harry Chapin
song 'Dogtown'.
Cape (geography)
In geography, a cape or headland is a point or body of land extending into a body of water, usually the sea.A cape usually represents a marked change in trend of the coastline. Their proximity to the coastline makes them prone to natural forms of erosion, mainly tidal actions. This results in capes...
in northeastern Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
on the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
. The cape
Headlands and bays
Headlands and bays are two related features of the coastal environment.- Geology and geography :Headlands and bays are often found on the same coastline. A bay is surrounded by land on three sides, whereas a headland is surrounded by water on three sides. Headlands are characterized by high,...
is located approximately 30 miles northeast of Boston and forms the northern edge of Massachusetts Bay
Massachusetts Bay
The Massachusetts Bay, also called Mass Bay, is one of the largest bays of the Atlantic Ocean which forms the distinctive shape of the coastline of the U.S. state of Massachusetts. Its waters extend 65 miles into the Atlantic Ocean. Massachusetts Bay includes the Boston Harbor, Dorchester Bay,...
. Cape Ann includes the city of Gloucester
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Gloucester is a city on Cape Ann in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is part of Massachusetts' North Shore. The population was 28,789 at the 2010 U.S. Census...
, and the towns of Essex
Essex, Massachusetts
Essex is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, north of Boston. The population was 3,504 at the 2010 census.Part of the town comprises the census-designated place of Essex.- History :...
, Manchester-by-the-Sea
Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts
Manchester-by-the-Sea is a town on Cape Ann, in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 5,228.-History:...
, and Rockport
Rockport, Massachusetts
Rockport is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 6,952 at the 2010 census. Rockport is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Boston at the tip of the Cape Ann peninsula...
.
Etymology
Cape Ann was first mapped by the explorer John Smith. He had given it the name "Cape Tragabigzanda", after his owner in Constantinople when he was enslaved as a prisoner of war by the Ottoman EmpireOttoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. She had fallen in love with him. He later escaped in Russia. When Smith presented his map to Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
he suggested that Charles should feel free to change any of the "barbarous names" (meaning the many Native American names) for "English" ones. The king made many such changes, but only four survive today, one of which is Cape Ann, which Charles named in honor of his mother, Anne of Denmark
Anne of Denmark
Anne of Denmark was queen consort of Scotland, England, and Ireland as the wife of King James VI and I.The second daughter of King Frederick II of Denmark, Anne married James in 1589 at the age of fourteen and bore him three children who survived infancy, including the future Charles I...
.
Colony history
The English colony at Cape Ann was first founded in 1623. It was the fourth colonizing effort in New EnglandNew England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
after Popham Colony
Popham Colony
The Popham Colony was a short-lived English colonial settlement in North America that was founded in 1607 and located in the present-day town of Phippsburg, Maine near the mouth of the Kennebec River by the proprietary Virginia Company of Plymouth...
, Plymouth Colony
Plymouth Colony
Plymouth Colony was an English colonial venture in North America from 1620 to 1691. The first settlement of the Plymouth Colony was at New Plymouth, a location previously surveyed and named by Captain John Smith. The settlement, which served as the capital of the colony, is today the modern town...
and Nantasket Beach
Nantasket Beach
Nantasket Beach is a beach in Hull, Massachusetts. The shore has fine, light gray sand and is one of the busiest beaches in Greater Boston. At low tide, there are acres of tide pools.-Name:...
. Two ships of the Dorchester Company brought 32 in number with John Tylly and Thomas Gardner
Thomas Gardner (planter)
Thomas Gardner was an Overseer of the "old planters" party of the Dorchester Company who landed, in 1624 at Cape Ann, to form a colony at what is now known as Gloucester...
as overseers of a fishing operation and the plantation, respectively. This colony predated Massachusetts Bay charter and colony. For that reason, members of the colony were referred to as "old planters
Old Planters (Massachusetts)
Old planters are early settlers and are to be differentiated from explorers and new planters. In the United States, there were many early explorers and early attempts at settlements along the east coast....
".
By 1634 the name of Cape Ann was already established, as it is mentioned and depicted on maps in William Wood's New England's Prospect first published in that year.
Local culture
At the end of Cape Ann, and splitting Gloucester into two parts (East and West Gloucester) is the Annisquam RiverAnnisquam River
The Annisquam River is a tidal, salt-water estuary in Annisquam and Gloucester, Massachusetts, connecting Annisquam Harbor on the north to Gloucester Harbor on the south. The segment between Gloucester Harbor and the Boston and Maine railroad bridge is also known as the Blynman Canal.The estuary is...
. Many locals who live in East Gloucester and Rockport refer to the land east of the Annisquam as "The Island". There is a waning but still persistent sense of independence that exists amongst some of those living there who are from old families that they rarely, or never, "cross over the bridge" since everything they need is on the island. The island has its own schools, water supply (by quarries), and even its own hospital, the Addison Gilbert Hospital. Cape Ann is also featured as the setting for the Harry Chapin
Harry Chapin
Harry Forster Chapin was an American singer-songwriter best known in particular for his folk rock songs including "Taxi", "W*O*L*D", and the number-one hit "Cat's in the Cradle". Chapin was also a dedicated humanitarian who fought to end world hunger; he was a key player in the creation of the...
song 'Dogtown'.