Thursday, November 27, 2003 :::
Happy Historically Inaccurate Thanksgiving
There are two, count 'em two, primary sources for the menu and circumstances of the Pilgrim's first thanksgiving feast. From these two bare descriptions have come our turkey dinners, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and if you live at my house, stuffed celery. Also, I could add the traditions of selling things and making money.
Just in case you're interested, and even if you are not, here's the original sources for Thanksgiving:
"...our harvest being gotten in, our governour sent foure men on fowling, that so we might after a speciall manner rejoyce together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labours ; they foure in one day killed as much fowle, as with a little helpe beside, served the Company almost a weeke, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Armes, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoyt, with some nintie men, whom for three dayes we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deere, which we brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governour, and upon the Captaine and others. And although it be not always so plentifull, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodnessr of God, we are so farre from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plentie."
--- Edward Winslow, Mourt's Relation, 1622.
"They begane now to gather in ye small harvest they had, and to fitte up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health & strenght, and had all things in good plenty; fFor as some were thus imployed in affairs abroad, others were excersised in fishing, aboute codd, & bass, & other fish, of which yey tooke good store, of which every family had their portion. All ye somer ther was no want. And now begane to come in store of foule, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besids water foule, ther was great store of wild Turkies, of which they tooke many, besids venison, &c. Besids, they had about a peck a meale a weeke to a person, or now since harvest, Indean corn to yt proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largly of their plenty hear to their freinds in England, which were not fained, but true reports."
--- William Bradford, Of Plimouth Plantation, 1630.
::: posted by tom at 9:36 AM
