River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-11-18
ORIGIN OF THANKSGIVING

AS this is the Thanksgiving season.
the following will be appreciated for
as historic element regarding a day
that has now become National in its
observance, though but recently, as
MIR. Lincoln was the first of the resi-
dents to give it that scope and each of
his successors have followed the prece-
dent he established. A writer in the Bos-
ton Herald says Thanksgiving days, or
thanksgiving occasions, We're no doubt
of very early origin, and it is more
than probable that the Jewish Passover,
Pentecost or Whit Sunday was the
origin of "a feast of thanksgiving for
the harvest" which is said to have
commenced Immediately after the pass
over. Reference is also made TO
thanksgiving occasions in various
countries. It's origin in this country,
in fact it was not brought over BY
the pilgrims, was not thanksgiving
day, but thanksgiving occasion.
The present custom of Thanksgiv-
inc, state and National, we imagine. is
strictly an American institution, and is
generally so regarded, and has grown
ont of the custom of thanksgiving oc-
casiOns. As early as 1886, and pos
sibly at an earlier day, the following
order was passed by the court:
NEW PLYMOUTH, November 10, 1886
Whereas at High Ma'ties Court. held the
Ash and 5th of October in the 18th year Of
ne raigue OF our soy Lord Charles by
the grace of God King OF Eng. Scot. fir
a Irl. Defender of the faith" &c, it was
ordered that it be in the power of the
Governor az Assists to command solemn
hayes of bumiiiacOn by fasting, &c, and
also for Thanksgiving as occasions shall be
offered
One of these occasions arose during
the CIomwellian wars in England,
and, under date of March 2, 1872,
tine court haue desired that a publicke
day of thanksgiving throughout the
colonie may be Obserued therein to
glue thanks to God for the great vic
tories graunted the army in behalfe of
the parliament and commonwealth of
England.
In 1868. October %, THE court
takeing notice of the Goodness of God
TO us in The continuance of our ciuil
and religious Liberties, the general
uealth that wee haue enjoyed, and
that it hath pleased God in some com
Portable measure to blesse VS. in the
truites of the earth, doe conceino that
these and other fauors doe call vpon VS.
for returns of thankfulness to the Lord,
ETC.. propose that the 25th day of
November be kept as a solemne day OF
thanksgiving with respect to mis- good
ness in the p ticulares aboumensioned.
and what p ticulare places and pSOns
may propose To themselves as causes
of thankfulness.
This, probably, was intended az the
regular Thanksgiving Day for the year
which appears to have been establish
"a. In 1850 the general court, in
somewhat similar terms, lido pro-
pound the goth day of October next en-
suing to be celebrated as q solemne
day of thanksgiving by all the con-
grpgatiOns in this colonie,' etc. In
1856 Thanksgiving was on the 81 day
Of November and in 1859 on the 9th
of June, without any assigned reason
The next year it was in November. as
IS now the custom, In 1852 it was en-
acted "that none shall presume to at
tend servile work or labor, or attend
any sports on such days as are or shall
be appointed by the court for humilia-
tion by fasting and prayer or for pub
lie Thanksgiving, on penalty of five
billings"
Thanksgiving days and occasions
have been continued annually and
otherwise, and it has for MANY years
been truly said of New England
Thanks givings that families widely
scattered meet at the beautiful Thanks
giving dinner of roast turkeys. plum
buildings and mlnce and pumpkin pies
The evenings are devosed 20 the young
people to rustic games and amuse-
ments.'
The modern element in our Thanks
giving days is to be found in the gener-
Gus ways and means now provided,
both public and private, for supplying
the worthy poor with the means OF
keeping and enjoying the day in the
manner of their neighbors, who have.
in their worldly prosperity, no such
greater reason for gratitude and thank
tulnesS.