Food of the first Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving. It conjures in the mind the peaceful and harmonious relationship between the pilgrims and their friend the Wampanoag Indians who had helped the struggling Pilgrims survive by introducing corn, beans and squash.In actuality, the first Thanksgiving was a result of a political alliance between the Wampanoag and the settlers. The European explorers had brought disease to the new world and had decimated most of the tribe. The Wampanoag village of Patuxet was totally wiped out by the terrible plague.The first settlers from the Mayflower were dying from hunger. They had neither brought enough food and their seeds from England didn't thrive on the eastern coast. While the Wampanoag were being wiped out from disease, their enemy, the Narragansett had not been affected by the dreaded plague. The Narragansett were trying to have the Wampanoag pay tribute to them. Two Indian men, Samoset, an Abenaki from Maine and Tisquantum (Squanto), a Patuxet Wampanoag, could speak English. Both had been slaves in Europe. When Tisquantum found a ship to take him home to America, he discovered that the Patuxet had been decimated and he was the only Patuxet surviving.Tisquantum and Samoset arranged for the first governor of Plimoth John Carver to meet with Massoit, the chief of the Wampanoag in order to have a peace treaty to help one another.Tisquantum showed the Pilgrims how to plant corn, beans and squash. The Pilgrims were delighted when the native seeds flourished and the corn saved them (1621). They decided to celebrate by having a Harvest Home celebration, which was celebrated in Europe. Tisquantum, Samoset, Massasoit and ninety tribes joined the celebration. They had not been invited but came into the camp.Edward Winslow wrote a letter December 11, 1621, which is the only surviving written record of the first Thanksgiving meal:Our harvest being gotten in, our Governor sent four rmen on fowling, that so we might after a more special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labours. 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 90 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. (George Mourt, A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth: Mourt's Relation; New York: Corinth Books, 1963)The "First Thanksgiving" was based on customs that the Europeans brought with them. Although traditional Wampanoag foods such as wild duck, goose, and turkey, were part of the menu, the Indian contribution to the event was five deer, which were roasted. The robust ale, made from the one successful English crop of barley, was the main non-native food. In many ways, this three-day feast symbolized a rare relationship of harmony between Indians and Europeans.Source for information: Smithstonian Institute, Washington, D.C.
Thanksgiving. It conjures in the mind the peaceful and harmonious relationship between the pilgrims and their friend the Wampanoag Indians who had helped the struggling Pilgrims survive by introducing corn, beans and squash.
In actuality, the first Thanksgiving was a result of a political alliance between the Wampanoag and the settlers. The European explorers had brought disease to the new world and had decimated most of the tribe. The Wampanoag village of Patuxet was totally wiped out by the terrible plague.
The first settlers from the Mayflower were dying from hunger. They had neither brought enough food and their seeds from England didn't thrive on the eastern coast. While the Wampanoag were being wiped out from disease, their enemy, the Narragansett had not been affected by the dreaded plague. The Narragansett were trying to have the Wampanoag pay tribute to them. Two Indian men, Samoset, an Abenaki from Maine and Tisquantum (Squanto), a Patuxet Wampanoag, could speak English. Both had been slaves in Europe. When Tisquantum found a ship to take him home to America, he discovered that the Patuxet had been decimated and he was the only Patuxet surviving.
Tisquantum and Samoset arranged for the first governor of Plimoth John Carver to meet with Massoit, the chief of the Wampanoag in order to have a peace treaty to help one another.
Tisquantum showed the Pilgrims how to plant corn, beans and squash. The Pilgrims were delighted when the native seeds flourished and the corn saved them (1621). They decided to celebrate by having a Harvest Home celebration, which was celebrated in Europe. Tisquantum, Samoset, Massasoit and ninety tribes joined the celebration. They had not been invited but came into the camp.
Edward Winslow wrote a letter December 11, 1621, which is the only surviving written record of the first Thanksgiving meal:
Our harvest being gotten in, our Governor sent four rmen on fowling, that so we might after a more special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labours. 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 90 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. (George Mourt, A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth: Mourt's Relation; New York: Corinth Books, 1963)
The "First Thanksgiving" was based on customs that the Europeans brought with them. Although traditional Wampanoag foods such as wild duck, goose, and turkey, were part of the menu, the Indian contribution to the event was five deer, which were roasted. The robust ale, made from the one successful English crop of barley, was the main non-native food. In many ways, this three-day feast symbolized a rare relationship of harmony between Indians and Europeans.
Source for information: Smithstonian Institute, Washington, D.C.
