The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-02-09
THE FIRST THANKSGIVING.
An account Of the origin Of the re.siva

lhol lnANAOUl 1N0s
An Account Of the origin OF the Festival.
1t was in the autumn of 1923. The
little village of Plymouth, in its life of
three years, had grown from its origi-
nal number of one hundred and two per-
sons, who were divided into nineteen
families for the better distribution of
building lots, to that of one hundred
and eighty inhabitants, who were now
living in thirty cabins.
On high hill could be seen the fort,
built of wood, loan and stone, on the
roof of which were mounted the guns.
1t was here that all the religious SER
vices were held, for not till twenty-five
years later was the first Westinghouse
built. At short distance were the
graves of those who had found the
hardships of the new country too much
for them. The fair watch-tower looked
out upon the town which compassed
only about half mile.
In the plans for the government of
the people, this autumn had seen the
s.trial by jury of twelve honest men,
become an established law. In the
spring before the plan had been adopt
ed for each man to plant and cultivate
his own corn. The people had previ-
ously, but with some dissatisfaction,
worked in common and shared all
things. But now, in this spring of 1923,
in the midst of great discouragements.
ssfor all their victuals were spent and
they were only to rest on Gods provi-
dence, at night not many times know
ing where to have bite anything the
next day." they had planted twenty
acres of corn and dressed it with fish;
but the long continued drought threat
ened such great evil that in July Gov
ernor Bradford appointed day of
fasting and prayer that they might be
blessed with rain. The rain came
abundantly, the crops were blessed and
the harvest was very plentiful. This
caused great rejoiclngs among the peo-
pie, which so warmed the heart of the
good Governor that he determined to
have a good time in honor of it. So,
after the gathering of all the harvest,
he sent out q company into the woods
to procure all the game possible. In
the meanwhile he sent for Massasoit,
the chief of the Pokauoket tribe of In
dians-which inhabited the territory
from Cape Cod to Narragansett Bay
to come with as many of his followers
as possible and join with him and his
in a general feasting and thanksgiving.
Massasoit accepted the invitation and
came with ninety of his followers to the
festal board, where was cooked and
ready to be eaten the game which the
party had been able to procure, as well
as all the good things which the land
could produce for them.
Vt is pleasant to fancy the little COM
pany of men, women and children
gathered together to entertain so hos
pitably this greet Sachem, that first
Thanksgiving Day in New England, in
1928. Governor Bradford, who had
filed his present Office for two years,
was then only thirty-five years old.
His wife had died soon after the arrival
of the Pilgrims. He had, as vet, no
Council, for it was not till the follow
ing year that, at his request, Council
of Five was chosen, which was after
wards increased to seven. SO the honor
of founding our Thanksgiving Day rests
solely upon his shoulders. There was
no with the consent of the Counciln
which has become so familiar to our
ears.
The mantle of John Robinson-their
former pastor in Leyden, who was still
alive and doing good work there-had
fallen upon Elder Brewster. Ever since
their departure from the old land he
had been the lay-preacher to the little
colony. As he had never been ordained,
he had always declined to administer
the sacraments, much to the sorrow of
the people; but he always preached
twice every Sabbath, persistently de-
Ginning to take pay, but choosing to
work for his bread with his own hands.
He was, at this time, nearly sixty-three
years old. and, doubtless, was present
ut these festivities, which he opened
with prayer, thus leading their minds
to the contemplation of higher things.
As their music was limited TO a few
tunes and nearly all musical instru-
ments were banished. their musical
expression must have been peculiar to
their own time and place.
II is probable that the children of
the good Elder, 'Fear," 'Love" and
s.Wrestling," were among the Govern
or's guests that autumn day. 1t may
be necessary to say, in passing, that
the first two were of the feminine gen.
der. History gives no mention that
the last-named was full and unique
expression of the name with which he
was afflicted. Possibly there was also
present a little Joy or Mercy, Hope
or Charity, a Prudence or Thankful;
for those names were then common.
Miles Standish was, without doubt, one
of the party. He was then thirty-nine
years old. His wife had died during
that first hard winter. He was the
Captain who fought their battles and
wholly deserved the name then given
to him of Stalwart Standish.
OF course, John Alden was on hand;
but he had not yet married Priscilla
Mullins; for we read that it was in 1927,
four years later. that he went for her;
when, ON account of the absence of
horses. s'he covered his bull with broad
cloth and rode ON his back; when he