Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-13
The PiInrfn, Fathers.

1t was in December when the Pilgrim
Fathers landed. These men Travelled
through the snow for days, often
drenched with rain, and slept out Of
doors until they could find a place of
settlement. During the daytime they
worked busily cutting down trees and
preparing them to be made into log
| houses which would afford them COM
Portable shelter.
A squad of men were appointed to
go after reeds to mend the roofs. They
took with them their swords and rifles.
Sometimes a strange noise among the
trees would make them drop their i'm
Elements and get their swords ready
for action.
Miles Standish, who was captain of
the Pilgrims, taught them how to fire
and handle the matchbox faster and
better than before. A large house was
erected for the shelter of all on shore
| until, separate houses could be built.
This was called the common house.
After a short time the people began to
think that this region needed a name.
1t was later named New Plymouth.
AS the days went by some of the
| people became tired and sick and died.
Captain Standish was kept busy going
from house to house, with Elder Brew
ster to tend the sick and prepare for
the burial of the dead. All this time
they were not bothered by the Indians.
Some days later Captain Standish
received some cannon, planting them
in the best place for the protection of
the city. Shortly after placing them,
news came that the Indians were going
to attack them.
that sixty Indians were seen, headed
by their king. Massasoit. The women
and children hiding themselves in the
houses. After preparing for a battle,
Captain Standish found out that Mas
sasoit and his army had come to make
a treaty of friendship.
Captain Standish brought the king
| and twenty of his warriors into a
house that had just been completed.
All being seated, Governor Carver seat
ed himself next to the king, kissing his
hand as salute. After eating and
drinking together, a treaty of friend
ship and alliance was formed. After
making friends with the Indians, the
Pilgrims were given corn and showed
how to plant it; also a large crop of
coming of spring the sickness de-
creased. OF the hundred and one Pill
grims who arrived in November, half
| were dead by April. The summer
months passed by quietly, the colonists
busily engaged in watching their crops
and building their houses. The peas
were a failure.
In August the peace of the colony
was disturbed. Word was received that
the friendly Indian king, Massasoit,
had been driven from his home by a
| rebel chief named Corbitant who
threatened them with death. William
Bradford had been appointed governor
| after the death of Carver.
Next morning Miles Standish started
| out with fourteen men in the heavy
rain. The next day an attack was
made on the Indians, who were defeat
ed. Before many days the chiefs of all
| the surrounding country came to the
| Pilgrims, asking for treaties of alli-
ance. Soon afterwards a fine crop of
| Indian corn which had ripened during
August had been gathered.
The roar of one of the guns on the
| hilltop announced the commencement
of Thanksgiving. In the different
| dwellings could be seen turkeys turning
| on strings before the fire.
| 1t was Thanksgiving dinner, and
no mistake about it. The dinner over
| grims went to their homes. They sang
| the Psalms and songs that had been
| sung by their firesides in England.
man grasped his gun and rushed out in
| alarm. About one hundred Indians
could be seen coming. To their delight
| it was Massasoit and his band coming
| to thank the white men and share in
| them five deer and a good supply OF
| other game.
| With prayers and feasting, with god
| ly Psalms and Indian dances and Eng
lish shouts mingling cheerily with In
| dian whoops, was celebrated the first
New England THANKSGIVING.
| TTNSTCNFn