Thanksgiving
The First Thanksgiving
Tradition says that the first Thanksgiving Day was held as an autumn harvest feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621. Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians united to share a feast and celebration that lasted for three days.
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What brought these two communities together for such a celebration? To understand that, you have to go back further in history.
The Pilgrims
In the early 1600s some Christians were discontent with the government sponsored Church of England. They felt that under the direction of the monarchy, it had strayed from true Christianity. Because they tried to “purify” the Church of what they believed were corrupt practices, people began to refer to them as “Puritans.” As they pushed for religious reforms, they faced opposition—not only from fellow citizens, but even their own government who imprisoned and sometimes executed dissenters. According to one Puritan, William Bradford:
"[Puritans] were hunted and persecuted…some were taken and clapt up in prison, others had their houses besett and watcht night and day, and hardly escaped their hands; and the most were faine to flie and leave their howses and habitations, and the means of their livelihood... Yet, seeing themselves thus molested, and that there was no hope of their continuance there, but a joynt consent, they resolved to goe into the Low Countries, where they heard was freedom of religion for all men...." (William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation (1620-1647), chapter 1.)
Desperate, many fled from England to Holland to escape religious persecution and worship as they pleased.
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After the move, the Puritans enjoyed religious freedom, but many became concerned about the way their children were being influenced by Dutch language and customs. Bradford reported:
“That which was more lamentable, and of all sorrows most heavy to be borne, was that many of their children, by these occasions and the great licentiousness of youth in that country, and the manifold temptations of the place, were drawn away by evil examples into extravagant and dangerous courses, getting the reins off their necks and departing from their parents. Some became soldiers, others took upon them far voyages by sea, and others some worse courses tending to dissoluteness and the danger of their souls, to the great grief of their parents and dishonour of God. So that they saw their posterity would be in danger to degenerate and be corrupted.” (William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation (1620-1647), chapter 1.)
They wanted a new start, away from the rest of the world. When they heard about opportunities to settle in “New England,” many were excited to go. As separatists they could enjoy religious freedom and raise their children in their traditional English culture and Christian values. After negotiating an agreement with financial backers (called Merchant Adventurers) in London, a congregation of approximately 50 separatist Puritans boarded a ship called the Mayflower. They were joined by a group of colonists who had been recruited by the Merchant Adventurers because they possessed skills that would be helpful in establishing the new colony.
The 100-foot Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, England in September 1620. With 102 passengers as well as a crew of approximately 35 the ship was crowded, and the two-month voyage difficult. Halfway through the journey the Mayflower suffered severe damage during a bad storm. One of main supporting beams was cracked putting the voyage at risk. The captain and crew grew worried. Without a major repair the boat would not hold together. Some of the crew insisted they return to England, but since they were mid-way through the trip all were concerned if the ship could hold together. They found a carpenter on board and discussed options. Miraculously, some of the passengers from Holland had a brought “a great iron screw,” which they used to raise the beam back in place. The carpenter assured the crew that by placing a post under the beam to secure it, it would hold. “So they committed themselves to the will of God” Bradford wrote, “and resolved to proceed.”
During another storm a young man named John Howland, fell overboard. “But it pleased God that he caught hold of the topsail halyards which hung overboard and ran out at length. Yet he held his hold (though he was sundry fathoms under water) till he was hauled up by the same rope to the brim of the water, and then with a boat hook and other means got into the ship again and his life saved.”
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Although many experienced seasickness, only one person died during the trip. He was a young foul-mouthed crew-member who was cruel to the passengers. When they were sick, he would taunt them, telling them that they would die, and he would take great satisfaction in throwing their dead bodies overboard while keeping their possessions. When he was stuck with an illness that proved fatal, the passengers believed it was God’s punishment in response to the young man’s cruelty.
When they finally arrived at Cape Cod (Massachusetts) on November 1620, the pilgrims rejoiced and praised God.
“Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth, their proper element.” (William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation (1620-1647))
Originally, they had planned to continue south to settle near the Hudson River, however strong winter seas were such a problem that after a few weeks in Cape Cod, they instead decided to sail north to a place they would call Plymouth.
Where did the name "Pilgrim" come from?
"that goodly & pleasante citie which had been their resting place for near 12 years; but they knew they were pilgrimes, & looked not much on those things, but lift up their eyes to ye heavens, their dearest cuntrie, and quieted their spirits."
Bradford borrowed the phrase from the Bible (Hebrews 11:13-16, KJV).
The name “Pilgrim” did not stick right away. In fact, it was not used again to identify these early colonists until someone revived it from Bradford’s journal in the 1840s.
Those who came over on the Mayflower were first referred to as “Pilgrim” by William Bradford describing the context of their exodus from Holland:
The Mayflower Compact
Colonizers needed permission from the king to settle in “New England.” The Pilgrims had obtained a permit previous to their departure, but since their plans had changed and they chose to settle in a new area, they had to apply for a new patent (or permission). To maintain order and establish a civil society while they waited for a new patent, they wrote The Mayflower Compact.
All male members of the new colony promised to live by the agreement by signing their names before landing in Plymouth.
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The original Mayflower Compact was lost but fortunately William Bradford made a copy of it in his journal.
Plymouth
In December 1620, the Mayflower arrived at Plymouth Rock and a group of men searched the area for a suitable place to settle. They came upon an abandoned Indian community with a cleared fields, fresh water and convenient access to the ocean. As they didn’t have homes, they continued to live on the cramped ship during that first long cold winter. Disease was rampant and approximately two people died each day during the first two months.
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In the spring they met an English-speaking native named “Squanto” (Tisquantum). He taught the pilgrims many things about surviving in the new world such as how to grow indigenous crops like maize (corn). The pilgrams were grateful for Squanto who they considered to be “a special instrument sent by God for their good beyond their expectations.”