Thanksgiving Greetings

Happy Thanksgiving 

from Tangled Trees

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1714 Proclamation for Thanksgiving

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Giving Thanks - Thoughts for Thanksgiving

Publick Occurrances

Boston, Thursday Sept 25th 1690

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They Knew That They Were Pilgrims

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

     

Nathaniel Morton describes the departure of the first pilgrims:
      
"So they left that goodly and pleasant city [Leyden], which had been their resting-place for above eleven years, but they knew that they were pilgrims and strangers here below, and looked not much on these things, but lifted up their eyes to Heaven, their dearest country, where God hath prepared for them a city (Heb. XI, 16), and therein quieted their spirits. When they came to the place [Delft Haven] they found the ship and all things ready, and such of their friends as could not come with them followed after them, and sundry came from Amsterdam to see them shipt, and to take their leaves of them. One night was spent with little sleep with the most, but with friendly entertainment and Christian discourse, and other real expressions of true Christian love.
 
The next day they went on board, and their friends with them, where truly doleful was the sight of that sad and mournful parting, to hear what sighs and sobs and prayers did sound amongst them; what tears did gush from every eye, and pithy speeches pierced each other's heart, that sundry of the Dutch strangers that stood on the Key as spectators could not refrain from tears. But the tide (which stays for no man) calling them away, that were thus loath to depart, their Reverend Pastor, falling down on his knees, and they all with him, with watery cheeks commended them with the most fervent prayers unto the Lord and His blessing; and then with mutual embraces and many tears they took their leaves one of another, which proved to be the last leave to many of them.
  
Being now passed the vast ocean, and a sea of troubles before them in expectations, they had now no friends to welcome them, no inns to entertain or refresh them, no houses, or much less towns, to repair unto to seek for succour; and for the season it was winter, and they that know the winters of the country know them to be sharp and violent, subject to cruel and fierce storms, dangerous to travel to known places, much more to search unknown coasts. Besides, what could they see but a hideous and desolate wilderness, full of wilde beasts and wilde men? and what multitudes of them there were, they then knew not; for which way soever they turned their eyes (save upward to Heaven) they could have but little solace or content in respect of any outward object; for summer being ended, all things stand in appearance with a weatherbeaten face, and the whole country, full of woods and thickets, represented a wild and savage hew; if they looked behind them, there was a mighty ocean which they had passed, and was now as a main bar or gulph to separate them from all the civil parts of the world."

Source: New-England's memorial by Nathaniel Morton, William Bradford, Thomas Prince, Edward Winslow; 1669
      

Happy Thanksgiving from Tangled Trees

The First Thanksgiving

  
For your reading pleasure and to start your Thanksgving holiday in a proper state of mind:

The events of the First Thanksgiving in 1621 at Plymouth as recorded in the two known sources:

Mourt's Relation (Edward Winslow):

"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 ninetie men, whom for three dayes we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deere, which they 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 goodness of God, we are so farre from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plentie."

Of Plimoth Plantation (William Bradford):
"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."

For more interesting information regarding the history of the First Thanksgiving including a list of  the surviving Mayflower Pilgrims present at the first Thanksgiving please see:  http://www.pilgrimhall.org/1stthnks.htm

“The First Thanksgiving Dinner with Portraits of the Pilgrim Fathers” by W. L. Taylor

(http://www.alden.org/pilgrim_lore/thanksgiving.html)

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Mastering the Thanksgiving Day Turkey

  
Be a Champion Chef with the help of Reynolds Wrap!

(click image to enlarge)

Yes - aluminum foil is a must in our kitchen.  And my mother-in-law always, without a doubt, makes the most delicous holiday turkey.

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