Thanksgiving is one of the most cherished holidays in America, marked by a feast of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, shared among family and friends. But the story of the first Thanksgiving—often portrayed as a harmonious meal between Pilgrims and Native Americans—has been romanticized over the centuries. To truly appreciate the history of this holiday, it's essential to separate fact from myth. Let’s dive into what we know about that pivotal moment in 1621, and how much of what we’ve heard is fiction.
The Historical Facts
The Pilgrims and Their Arrival
The Pilgrims were a group of English Separatists seeking religious freedom. After departing England on the Mayflower, they arrived at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, in December 1620. Their first winter was harsh; nearly half of the 102 passengers aboard the Mayflower did not survive. By the spring of 1621, the remaining Pilgrims were struggling to establish their new settlement.
The Native Americans' Role
The Wampanoag tribe, led by Chief Massasoit, played a critical role in helping the Pilgrims survive. Samoset, an Abenaki man, was the first to make contact with the settlers. Shortly after, Squanto (Tisquantum), a member of the Patuxet tribe who spoke English, became a liaison between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. Squanto taught the Pilgrims essential survival skills like growing corn, fishing, and hunting, greatly improving their chances of survival.
The 1621 Feast
The “First Thanksgiving” took place in the autumn of 1621, following a successful harvest. While there is no official record calling this meal “Thanksgiving,” it was a three-day feast attended by 53 Pilgrims and around 90 Wampanoag men. The feast was a celebration of survival and cooperation between the two groups, though it was far from the idealized image we see today.
There are two primary accounts of this meal. Edward Winslow, one of the Pilgrim leaders, wrote a letter that described the event but made no reference to turkey, pies, or other traditional Thanksgiving dishes. Instead, they likely feasted on venison, fowl (possibly duck or goose), fish, shellfish, corn, beans, and squash.
What’s Myth?
Myth: Turkey Was the Centerpiece
Turkey is now the symbol of Thanksgiving, but there’s no definitive proof that it was eaten during the first feast. While wild turkeys were present in the area, the only documented meats were deer and wild fowl, which likely included ducks and geese. The image of turkey as the staple came much later, especially after Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, during which turkey was promoted as the ideal centerpiece.
Myth: The Pilgrims Wore Black and White Clothing with Buckled Hats
Popular images of the Pilgrims show them in black and white outfits with buckled hats and shoes. In reality, Pilgrims wore a range of colors, including reds, greens, and browns, with simple styles that reflected their modest lifestyle. Buckled hats didn’t become fashionable until decades later.
Myth: Thanksgiving Was a Harmonious Celebration of Unity
While the 1621 feast symbolized cooperation, the relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag was complex and fraught with tension. The Wampanoag were not passive participants in this relationship; they entered into an alliance with the Pilgrims partly for protection against rival tribes. As more European settlers arrived, conflicts grew between Native Americans and colonists, eventually leading to violent confrontations such as King Philip's War in the 1670s.
Myth: Thanksgiving Has Been Celebrated Continuously Since 1621
The Pilgrims did not hold an annual Thanksgiving after 1621. The idea of a yearly celebration didn’t emerge until much later. Thanksgiving as we know it today wasn’t formalized until President Abraham Lincoln declared it a national holiday in 1863, during the Civil War, in an effort to unite a divided nation. Sarah Josepha Hale, a writer and editor, had lobbied for years to establish the holiday and finally succeeded when Lincoln issued his proclamation.
The first Thanksgiving is often painted as a quaint and peaceful meal shared between Pilgrims and Native Americans, but the reality is much more nuanced. It was a brief moment of cooperation between two groups with different motivations and circumstances. The Pilgrims were struggling for survival, and the Wampanoag sought to ally with them for mutual benefit.
The traditional Thanksgiving story simplifies this history, often overlooking the complex dynamics of colonization and its devastating impact on Native American communities in the years that followed. The Pilgrims' arrival signaled the beginning of European settlement in North America, which led to significant changes, including the loss of Native lands, cultures, and lives.
If your family tree includes early American settlers, it's worth exploring their role in the evolving relationships between European colonists and Native Americans. Were they part of the first wave of settlers, or did they arrive in later migrations? Did they interact with local tribes, and how did those relationships shape their experience in the New World?
Resources like ancestry.com and familysearch.org can help you trace your family history to see if your ancestors had any connection to early colonial America. You might also explore historical records like census data, military records, or land deeds that shed light on their lives during this critical period.
Thanksgiving is about more than just a meal—it’s about remembering our history, sharing stories, and reflecting on the ways that different cultures have shaped the American experience. While it's important to celebrate the spirit of gratitude that the holiday represents, we must also honor the full history of those who came before us, including both the settlers and the Native Americans whose lives were forever changed.
By taking the time to research your family’s place in this history, you can preserve and share a more accurate and meaningful understanding of Thanksgiving for future generations.
Dividing Ridge Genealogy would like to wish all of our followers a very Happy Thanksgiving holiday. If you have an article you wouldl ike to share pretaining to genealogy, hstory, or research please visit our Contact page and follow us on social media for more.
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