Thanksgiving from Pilgrims’ Writings (Primary Sources)

PILGRIMS’ WRITINGS SHOW THEY WERE GIVING THANKS TO GOD
Read the story of Thanksgiving from the primary sources – the Pilgrims.

* Pilgrim, Captain and Governor William Bradford wrote the manuscript ‘Of Plymoth Plantation’ [Of Plymouth Plantation]
Digitized page via State Library of Massachusetts:

Thanksgiving story from Pilgrim William Bradford’s book ‘Of Plimoth Plantation’

Online version via Gordon College:

Modern translation:
“After this, on the 18th September, they sent out their shallop to Massachusetts with ten men, and Squanto as their guide and interpreter, to explore the bay and trade with the natives, which they accomplished, and were kindly received. The Indians were much afraid of the Tarantines, a tribe to the eastward, who used to come at harvest time and take away their corn, and many times kill some of them. They returned in safety, and brought home a good quantity of beaver, and reported on the place, wishing they could have settled there. (But it seems that the Lord, Who assigns to all men the bounds of their habitations, had appointed it for another use. And thus, they found the Lord to be with them in all their ways, and to bless their outgoings & incomings, for which let his holy name have the praise for ever, to all posterity.

They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck of meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports.”

*Pilgrim & Governor Edward Winslow wrote ‘Mourt’s Relation’ (Governor of the Pilgrims several times)
e-book: Mourt’s Relation or Journal of the Plantation at Plymouth (PDF)

Modern translation:
“…our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.”

The journal Mourt’s Relation was:
– Written primarily by Pilgrims and Mayflower passengers: Edward Winslow, William Bradford.
– Written between November 1620 and November 1621.
– Describes the landing of the Pilgrims at Cape Cod, their exploring and eventual settling at Plymouth, their building of the Colony, their relations with the surrounding Indians, including the First Thanksgiving.
– Originally printed in 1622 under the tile A Relation or Journal of the English Plantation settled at Plymouth, is the first published account of the coming of the Pilgrims to the New World to settle Plymouth Plantation.

* From the Life and Time of William Brewster, ruling Elder of the Pilgrims who founded New Plymouth, the parent colony of New England, in 1620.

PILGRIMS DECLARE THEIR FIRST PUBLIC THANKSGIVING FESTIVAL IN 1621
In 1621, from the month of May of their first year to November, the prospects of the Pilgrim colony became gradually more encouraging: The first summer’s provisions were gathered; summer breezes and health came to the enfeebled survivors; autumn advanced. Thus, the Pilgrims decide to declare a three-day feast at the end of 1621 to thank God and to celebrate America’s first Thanksgiving Festival.

Text:
“At length, autumn being far advanced, and their first summer’s harvest of Indian corn being gathered in, they fitted their houses, and made their arrangements against the coming winter. And now, while some were employed in service abroad, and some in fishing, to furnish for each family a goodly supply, others again were engaged in hunting, procuring, among other game, water fowl, wild turkey, and venison. Of meal, or Indian corn, one peck a week for each person was the apportioned supply. Of other meal, or wheat, they had none; nor had they any mill for grinding; therefore their corn must be pounded or mashed by their own hands. Yet even this supply, being deemed sufficient for the present colonists, caused some of them to write home to their friends, in England, in more glowing terms than was prudent or warrantable. The effect was, that these descriptions of plenty induced subsequent emigrants to come without bringing with them their needful stores.

The provision for the little colony being secured for the ensuing winter, their governor set apart a day for public thanksgiving. Accordingly, with the fruits of their labors, the thankful feast was prepared, that all might in a special manner rejoice together, under a grateful sense of these tokens of divine mercy. It was their first thanksgiving or harvest festival in the New World. And we may well conjecture what were the feelings, and what the theme of the Elder, as, assembled in their “Common House,” he led the devotions of these worshippers, and spoke to them words befitting the occasion.

The occasion was likewise improved, as a fit time, to interest and favorably influence the neighboring Indians. “Among other recreations,” says Winslow, ” we exercised our arms; many of the Indians coming amongst us, and with them came their greatest King, Massasoit, accompanied by some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted. They also went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation, and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And though it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet, by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish our friends partakers with us.”

Thus are we brought to the conclusion of the first year’s trials, hardships, and sufferings of the pilgrim company, with the loss of life, and the present temporary relief.”
—
Source: Ashbel Steele, Chief of the Pilgrims: Or the Life and Time of William Brewster (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co, 1857), pp. 269-270.

MORE
– More on the Pilgrims and God
– More digitized documents of the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts via State Library of Massachusetts.

THANKSGIVING – As Written by the Pilgrims

THE PILGRIMS’ MISSION – To Advance the Christian Faith
THE PILGRIMS’ FAITH IN THE GOD OF THE BIBLE In 1620, a small group of Pilgrims arrived in New England and wrote out the Mayflower Compact creating their own community “for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith.”

THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT – Signed by the Pilgrims in 1620 FULL OF REFERENCES TO GOD AND THE CHRISTIAN FAITH Modern Transcription: “In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, convenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politic, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620″ (Mayflower Compact, Nov. 11, 1620)

Literal Transcription: “In ye name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord King James by ye grace of God, of Great Britaine, Franc, & Ireland king, defender of ye faith, &c. Haveing undertaken, for ye glorie of God, and advancemente of ye Christian faith, and honour of our king & countrie, a voyage to plant ye first colonie in ye Northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these presents solemnly & mutualy in ye presence of God, and one of another, covenant & combine our selves togeather into a civill body politick; for our better ordering & preservation & furtherance of ye ends aforesaid; and by vertue hearof, to enacte, constitute, and frame shuch just & equall lawes, ordinances, acts, constitutions, & offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete & convenient for ye generall good of ye Colonie: unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witnes wherof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cap-Codd ye .11. of November, in ye year of the raigne of our soveraigne lord King James of England, France, & Ireland ye eighteenth, and of Scotland ye fiftie fourth. Ano: Dom. 1620.“

PILGRIMS’ WRITINGS – Early Christian records of the U.S. history THE PILGRIMS WROTE JOURNALS NARRATING THEIR EXPERIENCES God was central to their lives. ● “OF PLIMOTH PLANTATION” written by the Pilgrim Governor William Bradford (Bradford was Governor of the Pilgrims for over 30 years) e-book: History of Plymouth Plantation 1606-1646 (PDF) e-book: History of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647

This journal “Of Plimoth Plantation” was written by Pilgrim Governor William Bradford – check the Massachusetts Records, here, here, and here The Massachusetts State House stores the hand-written journal of Mayflower Captain and Pilgrim Governor William Bradford where he narrates the first years of the Pilgrim colony at Plymouth. The Pilgrims sailed from England on the Mayflower and arrived in Massachusetts in 1620 where Bradford served as the colony’s first governor. Bradford wrote an account of the settlement from 1620 to 1646, titling it “Of Plimoth Plantation.” The hand-written journal describes the voyage of The Mayflower and the Pilgrims’ experience settling in Plymouth Originally titled “The Log of the Mayflower” contains an account as narrated by Mayflower Captain William Bradford who was one of the Company of Englishmen who left England in April 1620 in the ship known as “The Mayflower.” He also narrates the circumstances leading to their prior Settlement in Holland, their return to England and subsequent departure for New England, their landing at Cape Cod in December 1620, their Settlement at New Plymouth and their later history for several years.

This record is an invaluable source for the early history of Massachusetts and the United States. The manuscript contains a copy of the Mayflower Compact (the original copy, written on board of the Mayflower, no longer exists), a list of passengers who sailed on the vessel. (p19)

PILGRIMS’ WRITINGS – Thanksgiving to God THE FIRST THANKSGIVING AT PLYMOUTH – to honor God for His deliverance and providence.

As narrated by the Pilgrim, Captain and Governor William Bradford in his manuscript “Of Plymoth Plantation” (originally titled “The Log of the Mayflower”) PILGRIMS GAVE THANKS TO GOD ● The grateful Pilgrims therefore declared a three-day feast in December 1621 to thank God and to celebrate with their Indian friends. ● It is primarily from the Pilgrim’s Thanksgiving celebration of 1621 that we derive the current tradition of Thanksgiving Day.

"Of Plimoth Plantation" By Pilgrim William Bradford

Modern transcription: “And thus, they found the Lord to be with them in all their ways, and to bless their outgoings & incomings, for which let his holy name have the praise for ever, to all posterity. They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck of meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports.”

● “MOURT’S RELATION” written by Pilgrim Governor Edward Winslow, 1621 (Mourt was Governor of the Pilgrims several times) e-book: Mourt’s Relation or Journal of the Plantation at Plymouth (PDF)
"Mourt's Relation" by Pilgrim Edward Winslow	Modern transcription: “…our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.” This journal Mourt’s Relation was: – Written primarily by Pilgrims and Mayflower passengers: Edward Winslow, William Bradford. – Written between November 1620 and November 1621. – Describes the landing of the Pilgrims at Cape Cod, their exploring and eventual settling at Plymouth, their building of the Colony, their relations with the surrounding Indians, including the First Thanksgiving. – Originally printed in 1622 under the tile A Relation or Journal of the English Plantation settled at Plymouth, is the first published account of the coming of the Pilgrims to the New World to settle Plymouth Plantation.

PILGRIMS & CAPITALISM PILGRIMS FIND SUCCESS IN CAPITALISM (as written by the Pilgrim’s second Governor, William Bradford) Pilgrims corn production increased when each family was assigned a parcel ● For the Pilgrims, life was a constant battle for survival. Later, Governor William Bradford made a decision. Instead of the colonists sharing their crops equally, he assigned a parcel of land to each family and told them they could keep whatever they produced for themselves. ● ‘This had very good success, for it made all hands industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been.’ If you can keep everything you make, of course you’re going to work harder…more

Pilgrims embrace Capitalism (from the journal of Pilgrim William Bradford)

Modern transcription: “All this while no supply was heard of, neither knew they when they might expect any. So they began to think how they might raise as much corn as they could, and obtain a better crop than they had done, that they might not still thus languish in misery. At length, after much debate of things, the Governor (with the advice of the chiefest amongst them) gave way that they should set corn every man for his own particular, and in that regard trust to themselves; in all other things to go on in the general way as before. And so assigned to every family a parcel of land, according to the proportion of their number, for that end, only for present use (but made no division for inheritance) and ranged all boys and youth under some family. This had very good success, for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been by any means the Governor or any other could use, and saved him a great deal of trouble, and gave far better content. The women now went willingly into the field, and took their little ones with them to set corn; which before would allege weakness and inability; whom to have compelled would have been thought great tyranny and oppression.” more

HISTORY OF THANKSGIVING ● History of Thanksgiving in America ● Celebrating Thanksgiving in America ● What is the origin of America’s annual Thanksgiving Day?
Embarkation of The Pilgrims by Robert Weir (painting in the U.S Capitol Building)	Mayflower by Bernard Gribble
The Mayflower at Sea by Margeson	First Thanksgiving by Jean Louis Gerome Ferris
Landing of the Pilgrims by Constantino Brumidi – Frieze in the U.S. Capitol A group of Pilgrims, led by William Brewster, is shown giving thanks for their safe voyage after their arrival in Plymouth, Massachusetts. (1620)
The First Thanksgiving by Jennie A. Brownscombe	Signing the Mayflower Compact by Edward Percy Moran

RELATED – THANKSGIVING’S REAL STORY: Thanking God and How Socialism Failed – Pilgrim’s Thanksgiving: How Communism Failed and Private Property Triumphed – Pilgrims Set First Thanksgiving Day to Thank God (1621) – Thanksgiving: God and the Mayflower Compact – Obama’s Godless Thanksgiving

VETERANS DAY: Thank you for keeping us free, veterans!

Remarks by President Ronald Reagan at the Veterans Day National Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 1985: “We celebrate Veterans Day on the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, the armistice that began on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. And I wonder, in fact, if all Americans’ prayers aren’t the same as those I mentioned a moment ago. The timing of this holiday is quite deliberate in terms of historical fact but somehow it always seems quite fitting to me that this day comes deep in autumn when the colors are muted and the days seem to invite contemplation.” “It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country, in defense of us, in wars far away. The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray haired. But most of them were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives — the one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for our country, for us. And all we can do is remember.” “[T]he surest way to keep a peace going is to stay strong. Weakness, after all, is a temptation — it tempts the pugnacious to assert themselves — but strength is a declaration that cannot be misunderstood. Strength is a condition that declares actions have consequences. Strength is a prudent warning to the belligerent that aggression need not go unanswered. Peace fails when we forget what we stand for. It fails when we forget that our Republic is based on firm principles, principles that have real meaning, that with them, we are the last, best hope of man on Earth; without them, we’re little more than the crust of a continent. Peace also fails when we forget to bring to the bargaining table God’s first intellectual gift to man: common sense. Common sense gives us a realistic knowledge of human beings and how they think, how they live in the world, what motivates them. Common sense tells us that man has magic in him, but also clay. Common sense can tell the difference between right and wrong.”
Sources: – Dept. of Veterans Affairs – The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library – Library of Congress: Veterans Day – American Minute – Veterans’ sacrifice – The National Archives
NEWS – Radical Muslims Celebrate Veterans Day in London With “British Soldiers Burn in Hell” Signs

HISTORY: THE FIRST BLACKS IN CONGRESS WERE ALL REPUBLICANS (photos, bios)

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – FIRST BLACKS WERE ALL REPUBLICANS Republicans – the racists? In 1868, Republicans elected the first black person to represent them in Congress. There were no black Democrats in Congress until 1935. For almost seven decades Republicans were the ONLY ONES electing blacks to Congress. Here are the historical facts:
John Willis Menard (1838-1893); Republican – Louisiana; Term: 1868			Joseph Rainey (1832-1887); Republican – South Carolina; Term:1870-1879
Jefferson F. Long (1836-1901); Republican – Georgia; Term: 1870-1871			Robert C. De Large (1842-1874); Republican – South Carolina; Term: 1871-1873
Robert B. Elliott (1842-1884); Republican – South Carolina; Term: 1871-1874			Benjamin S. Turner (1825-1894); Republican – Alabama; Term: 1871-1873
Josiah T. Walls (1842-1905); Republican – Florida; Terms: 1871-1873, 1873-1875, 1875-1876			Richard H. Cain (1825-1887); Republican – South Carolina; Terms: 1873-1875, 1877-1879
John R. Lynch (1847-1939); Republican – Mississippi; Terms: 1873-1877, 1882-1883			James T. Rapier (1837-1883); Republican – Alabama; Term: 1873-1875
Alonzo J. Ransier (1834-1882); Republican – South Carolina; Term: 1873-1875			Jeremiah Haralson (1846-1916); Republican – Alabama; Term: 1875-1877
John Adams Hyman (1840-1891); Republican – North Carolina; Term: 1875-1877			Charles E. Nash (1844-1913); Republican – Louisiana; Term: 1875-1877
Robert Smalls (1839-1915); Republican – South Carolina; Terms: 1875-1879, 1882-1883, 1884-1887			James E. O’Hara (1844-1905); Republican – North Carolina; Term: 1883-1887
Henry P. Cheatham (1857-1935); Republican – North Carolina; Term: 1889-1893			John Mercer Langston (1829-1897); Republican – Virginia; Term: 1890-1891
Thomas E. Miller (1849-1938); Republican – South Carolina; Term: 1890-1891 (He was adopted by slaves)			George W. Murray (1853-1926); Republican – South Carolina; Terms: 1893-1895, 1896-1897
George Henry White (1852-1918); Republican – North Carolina; Term: 1897-1901

U.S. SENATE – FIRST BLACKS WERE ALL REPUBLICANS:
Hiram Rhodes Revels (1822-1901); Republican – Mississippi; Term: 1870-1871			Blanche Bruce (1841-1898); Republican – Mississippi; Term: 1875-1881

AND DEMOCRATS? UNTIL 1935 DID DEMOCRATS ELECT THE FIRST BLACK TO CONGRESS 67 years after Republicans is when Democrats elected the first African American to represent them in Congress. Arthur Wergs Mitchell Democrat Representative – Illinois Term: 1935–1943 Democrats’ Racist Past

FOUNDING FATHERS and War: “Give me Liberty, or give me Death!” by Patrick Henry

Great virtual video! PATRICK HENRY, first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virginia, gave his famous and fiery speech before the Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775 imploring his fellow Americans to take up arms against the British colonialists that ended in the immortal lines “Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death!” more

FOUNDING FATHERS and War

FRANCIS HOPKINSON, signer of the Declaration of Independence, wrote in his “A Political Catechism” (1777) that there are 2 types of wars: Offensive war and defensive war: Q. What is defensive war? A. It is to take up arms in opposition to the invasions of usurped power and bravely suffer present hardships and encounter present dangers, to secure the rights of humanity and the blessings of freedom, to generations yet unborn. Q. Is even defensive war justifiable in a religious view? The foundation of war is laid in the wickedness of mankind…God has given man wit to contrive, power to execute, and freedom of will to direct his conduct. It cannot be but that some, from a depravity of will, will abuse these privileges and exert these powers to the injury of others: and the oppressed would have no safety nor redress but by exerting the same powers in their defense: and it is our duty to set a proper value upon and defend to the utmost our just rights and the blessings of life: otherwise a few miscreants would tyrannize over the rest of mankind, and make the passive multitude the slaves of their power. Thus it is that defensive is not only justifiable, but an indispensable duty. [1]

PATRICK HENRY, first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virginia, gave his famous and fiery speech before the Virginia House on March 23, 1775: Give me Liberty or give me Death! “Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing….We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances [complaints] have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation.	virtual video here
There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free–if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending…we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us! They tell us, sir, that we are weak — unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of People, armed in the Holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Beside, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave…. The war is inevitable. and let it come! I repeat, Sir, let it come! It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace! — but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery! Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” [2] Sources: 1. ^ Francis Hopkinson, The Miscellaneous Essays and Occasional Writings of Francis Hopkinson, Esq. (Philadelphia: T. Dobson, 1792), Vol. I, pp. 111-115. 2. ^ William Wirt, Sketches of the Life and Character of Patrick Henry (Philadelphia: James Webster, 1818), pp. 121-123.