The Pilgrim Thanksgiving in 1621

An extract from: THE FAST AND THANKSGIVING DAYS OF NEW ENGLAND BY W. DeLOSS Love, Jr., Ph. D.; BOSTON AND NEW YORK; HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY. 1895.

"The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth" (1914) By Jennie A. Brownscombe The account of this occasion found in "Mourt's Relation" [page 133] is so frequently referred to that it is given in full: "Our harvest being gotten in, our Governour sent foure men on fowling, that so we might after a more speciall manner rejoyce together, after we had gathered the fruit of our labours; they foure in one day killed as much fowle, as with a little helpe beside, served the Company almost a weeke, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Armes, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest King Massasoyt, with some ninetie men, whom for three dayes we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed fine Deere, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governour, and upon the Captaine, and others. And although it be not alwayes so plentifull, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodnesse of God, we are so farre from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plentie."