Jessica Crabtree

#7: The Real Story

Modern archaeology and historical research have been able to unearth a wealth of detailed information that gives us a more realistic (and less biased) picture of “first Thanksgiving.” The findings of today’s historians are strongly supported by the accounts of Wampanoag traditional sources.

Interestingly, the Native American oral traditions contain more detailed information about the events surrounding the first Thanksgiving – and the Plymouth colony in general – than the Pilgrims’ own written account, and all the annotated embellishments it has accumulated through America’s brief history.

Below: A scene from the reconstructed historical site of Plimoth Plantation. Courtesy of National Geographic.

#8: The Original Thanksgiving Menu

From the records we have of the Pilgrim’s harvest celebration, it seems the main course consisted of the staple foods that had carried them through their first year in America: mainly corn, squash, and beans (the “Three Sisters” of Native American culture) and seafood such as clams, lobster, and eels. (Sorry, no pumpkin pie or cranberry sauce.) As it turns out, the first Thanksgiving had a lot more in common with a good old-fashioned New England clam bake.

We do know that at least one item on the menu is authentic; the English accounts have the men going “fowling” or hunting for seasonal game birds such as duck and probably turkey. And the Wampanoag who joined them later provided plenty of fresh game, including venison and poultry.

Smithsonian Magazine: Turkey’s Trip to the Table

#9: Thanksgiving 1621

The “official” first Thanksgiving was a harvest celebration held by the settlers of the Plymouth colony (aka Pilgrims) in the late summer of 1621. Following a year of sickness and privation, the colonists’ alliance with Wampanoag Indians provided them the benefits of Native agricultural practices and mutual trade agreements. The settlers decided to commemorate their first successful year with a traditional harvest festival. For the record, it was not intended as a joint celebration between the English and their Indian neighbors. In fact, the local Wampanoag were not even invited, and might never have been aware of the event had they not been alarmed by the gun volleys fired by the Pilgrims during the festivities!

In the words of Edward Winslow,

“Our harvest being gotten in, our Governor sent four men 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.”

August 12, 1676: Death of Metacomet (also known as King Philip) at the end of a desperate conflict against English encroachment

What You Don’t Hear at Thanksgiving

So we all know the story. The Pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock, meet Squanto who saves them from starvation, and eventually celebrate a successful harvest with their good friends the Wampanoag in the first Thanksgiving. They live happily ever after.

Think again. Few ever stop to think what happened after Thanksgiving (hint: it wan’t Christmas). Maybe that’s because it was one of the bloodiest and most treacherous episodes in American history. What began as a close alliance between Wampanoag leader Massasoit and the Pilgrim settlers quickly eroded as English families began immigrating into the region by the shipload – often thousands in a year – importing diseases, devouring scarce resources, and naturally, disregarding treaty agreements.

An outstanding documentary on the background of King Philip's War - Watch it online here

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