THANKSGIVING DAY

In 1619 London merchants recruited planters to go to the new world and stay for one year and establish commercial crops. Tagging along were 37 members of the radical Leiden Congregation, British seperatists who sought religious freedom. On Sept. 6th, 1620 the Mayflower set sail for Plimoth, Mass. previously named by the advanced surveyor, John Smith. The ship carried a total 102 passengers, including the Pilgrims.

During the voyage the new Governor, William Bradford, suggested that the colonists should form a mutual assistance contract, whereby personal property would be shared. A communal style village with shared crops would follow. This became known as the Mayflower compact and it was… an utter failure. It lasted one year and it was unceremoniously abandoned for a better idea that rewarded an individual’s labor and creativity.

Apparently little thought was given to the timing of their arrival, for they landed in the dead of winter, (Nov. 11th, 1620). Unprepared and unable to cope with the harsh cold, half of them died from starvation and disease before the spring thaw.

Their first attempt at raising crops with seeds from England did not work well and local Indians from the Wampanoag tribe graciously stepped in and showed the squatters on their land how to plant indigenous corn, fish and hunt which sustained them through the next winter.

The colonists celebrated their first bountiful harvest in 1621, however the Wampanoag
were not invited. Gunfire by the celebrants attracted the attention of the local natives who saw it as a provocation, a show of force by belligerents. This caused about 80 warriors to pay the colonists a visit and see what they were up too.

When the Indians arrived, a feast was underway. The unexpected guests were then invited to partake and peace was preserved. The Indians sent several of their hunters into the woods to kill game for more food and this extended the celebration for 3 days. Foul was on the menu, but it’s not known if it included turkey.

The concept of Thanksgiving originated in England and it was often seen as a day of fasting and attending church ceremonies that ran throughout the day. The fasting part may have been more unintentional as little free time was allotted the parishioners for cooking meals.

By the time the 13 colonies were formed, a day of Thanksgiving was an established tradition, but the day it was to be held varied. President Abraham Lincoln recognized the day of Thanksgiving could be helpful in uniting a nation divided, and in 1863 it became a national holiday.

We at Post Scripts wish each and every one of you a joyous and safe Thanksgiving.