Norwich bulletin., 1911-05-13
ffiSIs, fAsIs lND HOLIDAYS
Colonial Times Told Of in Essay Which Won Special State Prize wzftten by Miss Florence L Enson.

The essay which won the special prize of .$10 in the state competition for grammar school pupils. conducted by the Connecticut Society of Colonial Danes. is given herewith, having been written by Miss Florence L.. Wilkin- son, aged 13. of No. Is North Warren street. She is pupil in the Broad is Colonial Feasts. Fasts and Hoh- days:
 The Pilgrims left the, Church of En- gland and came to Amertta to live, because they wanted way more suited to their quiet ideas of wor- from the custohs of the English church, which were so distasteful to them that thSy would not even bring their prayer books with them.
 The fea4ts, fasts and holidays of the EnEtish church only brought to their mines the old customs which they had risfed 80 much to leave behind, when th4y came to America.
 They worked all day at Christmas and New Years, because it was kept in England by feasting and rioting, and they changed all holidays, greatly ished all rioting as neither necessary nor commendable Tor their behavior fin their new home in New England. where life was simple, and, by paying respect to themselves and their re- ,i!ion. they bsHEe willing. years Thankssiviy4. day.
 Every GrsGt event of their lives was recognized by either feasting or fast ing, and Tn this way sometimes they sought divine guidance
 Thanksgiving in 1s21.
 The first winter after their landing near Cape Cod Massachusetts. 1920. was spent in. Such privation and hu- rniIty. there was no demand for spe- 1cial feasting or fasting. but there was much time For prayer. In the spring of 1921. they planted their gardens and after the harvest in the fall had a Thensssiving csiebration, begin
 The sovernor of the small colony sent four men cut for game, that the people might feast and rejoice to- gether. There were only fifty Eng 1ishmen. but about ninety friendly In- dians joined them. making one hun in this harvest festival
 The feur men brought in enough fowi--perhaps wild turxeys-to last the company almost a week. Be- sides geese, ducks, and game of all kinds. they had fish. and oysters in abundance. The Indians brought with them to the feast the deer they had killed, and Indian corn, and all the company were plentifully SUD-
 1shs indiana came in holiday paint and feGehAge ana funs. The English men dres6e1 in Ted waistcoats, knee breecheA aAa. 6rsen mandillions The gowns wfth plaN oa4fs ana collars.
 All joined in playing stool-ball, and they had cempetltions in running. leapinG and jumping. The Indians were epteCeAinAd thfee days.
 Four wsmsn sf the colony, with the heap few young girls and one ssupsAnt. ceolred the food for all the comn4gy. beng obliged to do it in the
 fAs fsAst and happy time seemed very good to them, after their first winter of suffering and want. and their summer of hard work. It put new life and courage into them and 1 sent thsm to their lAbsrs with re- fewed hope for their independence of life and religion. and a better under standing of the bounties of nature
 This was the first autumnal Thanksgiving in New England, but it was not a day set apart but whole weak of festivity. and it was not con- sidezs4 a religious season.
 Jn the following Christmas day, there were more in the company than arrived meanwhile, and on this day there was a great deal of mirth. The colony were divided as to how to spend the day. Some wanted to spend it in sport, others wanted to work.
 Governor WinthrsP's Orders.
 Governor winthrop. their civil au- thority, commanded them either to work, or keep their sports out of sight i of those who did work.