Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-27
THE CUSTOM rs OLD.
ThanksslVins-Day Was Quantity OBJ
served In the Long Ago.
TIE CHANGE OF METHOD.
Tho Simple But Impressive Ccieora"on
of tho Puritans Contrasted win tho
Latter Day Mode.

With the approach OF Thanksgiving
Day and the revival OF all Its memories
n seems TO be quite IN the natural order
NJ things that one should glance back
ward through the years that nave
passed away-yesrs teeming with eventfui
history, to its inauguration.
Essentially an American festival, the
New England States witnessed It's con-
coption. although Its real origin may
be traced back to the Feast or the
Tabernacles. or the Feast OF lnsather-
ing at the End OF the Year." Instituted
under the Mosaic law In the Middle
Ages the observance of day of thanks
giving for special benefits was not In
frequently recommended by the sovereign
or civil authorities: and special mention
of such a day Is made as occurring In
Holland towards the close OF the six
teenth century.
4 little more than n quarter OF
century later a band OF pilgrims, exiled
from England, found refuge In Holland,
where they remained until the sailing
of the Mayflower Colony in 1920. 1t may
have been from the Hollanders that they
borrowed the idea OF public thanks
riyings. but ii Is matter OF history
that after the ingathering of their first
harvest in New England Q62D a special
Thanksgiving was first appointed by Gov
ernor Bradford.
The first proclamation OF Thanksgiving
was issued in the Plymouth Colony Oc-
tCber %, 1868, and is recorded in the CO.
lonial Register as follows:
The Court. taking notis Of the goodness
Of God to us in the continuance of our
civil and religious liberties. the general
health that we have enjoyed, and that 1t
hath pleased God In some comfortable
measure to bless us in the fruits OF the
earth. doe conceive that these and other
favors call upon US for returnes OF thank
fulness and doe propose unto the several
congregations OF this CONVENT that the
18th day OF November next, which shall
be We fourth day Of ye fourth weeke, to
be kept as n solemn day of Thanksgiving
with respect TO the gOOdnes on the pticu-
lars above mensioned. and what pticu'ares
and p'sonS may propose TO themselves as
causes OF thankfulness.
In those early Puritan days the people
gathered together first to consider the
appointing of day of fasting and prayer
in view OF the struggles and possible
troubles ahead. one undaunted brother,
however. cheerful by nature and prin-
ciple, wisely suggested instead the count
ing up OF the many blessings which had
fallen to their lot. and so impressed the
desrablity of announcement rather thah
disbursement upon his comrades that a
day of thanksgiving and feasting rather
than lamentation and fasting, was pp-
pointed.
This first celebration took place in In
e. 4. In q
nearly week. The survivors of that
first terrible winter had had time to
gather up strength and hope; the neigh
boring Indians had proved friendly;
maize and barley had yielded sustenance
for the little band; they had fortress
on the top OF the hill, and down the VII
lage street there were seven log houses
finished and others going up. Their mar
vest was in and their winters fuel was
gathered.
Surely God had been very good TO them.
and Governor Bradford singled out four
of the best huntsinen and sent them
''fowling. that that there might be where
withal for a feast of rejoicing. Inc
fowls they brought back were water
fowl and wild turkeys. and so from the
first the turkey identified itself with
Thanksgiving-D Day. 1t had been said that
so little was known Of the best methods
of cooking il In those days that the turkey
was facetiousiy called the piece de re-
sistance at every Thanksgiving feast-a
phrase TO which the carver with duh
knife gave u meaning of his own
One writing of that time Of rejoicing.
draws an attractive picture of the scenes
of which we make an extract:
''Yes everybody must have been busy
the English alone who were to be pres
emit: Massasoit. the friendly chief, was
invited with his brother and a fitting es-
cort. Imagine the tall warrior appearing
on the borders OF the forest at the
head of ninety Indians, some squaws
and children bringing up the rear
And these veteran hunters did not come
empty-handed. but brought five deer as
their contribution to the festivity. One
would have liked 10 have seen that feast
the wooden tables spread with wooden and
pewter dishes and covered with appetiz-
ing game and fish. fragrant with wild
plums and grapes, yellow corn-bread,
steaming clam chowder. and tankards OF
home brewed ale. Gathered around were
the Indians in their paint and feathers,
and the Separatists in their sober gar
ments. Miles Standish. short, thick-set,
with those searching eyes, a little old
WOflQ COuTtllNesS DnlnBHtS with MS SUI
der roughness: Elder Brewster. asking
the divine blessing In fervent. reverent
words; Governor Bradford, thoughtful
and calm: Deacon Fuller. the worthy
physician of the little colony; these and
others. leaders OF the band OF Pill
grims. Doubtless Priscilla Mullins
and Mary Chiffon. those damsels OF
historic fame. waited on the Ia
bles, and little Peregrime White
and Oceanus Hopkins sucked thier tur-
key-bones in placid content. caring not
whether this beginning of New England
got itself planted or not"
The rejoicing lasted five days, and no
doubt Mistress Hopkins and Mistress
Winslow and Mistress Brewster and
other matrOns protested that they were
glad when 1t was over, and they had time
to draw breath. But we may be sure
that Priscilla Mullins. Fear Brewster,
Remember Allerton, nor John Alden, nor
John Rowland said anything OF the sort.
The annual autumnal Thanksgiving estab-
lshed itself gradually among them. At
first 1t was the custom to call special
hanksgiyings for special blessings ri we