Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving

"And God be praised, we had a good increase... Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of ours labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help besides, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we excercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty... These things I thought good to let you understand... that you might on our behalf give God thanks who hath dealt so favourably with us."

-Edward Winslow, in a letter to a friend in England


"They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwelling against the winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and otehr fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees.) And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck a meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many aterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports."


-William Bradford, Of Plimoth Plantation


"And thus they found the Lord to be with them in all their ways, and to bless their outgoings and incomings, for which let His holy name have the praise forever, to all posterity."

-William Bradford, Of Plimoth Plantation

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

8 comments:

Amanda said...

Wow! It's really neat how you put those quotes together for today!

Melanie said...

Thanks! I had fun (history lover that I am). :-)

Amanda said...

Neat! I loved reading Bradford's "of Plymoth Plantation". It was a really interesting book, looks like you have read it too. :)

Melanie said...

Yes, it is a very interesting book! I am currently reading it right now. :-)

Anonymous said...

HaPpY ThAnKsGiViNg!!!!

Oh--I really like Scotland too!! Are you part Scottish like we are?? Hmm...maybe we're related somewhere! Haha

Melanie said...

Yes, we do have some Scottish in us (more Irish, but there is some Scottish). I think the McGinty clan... ? and some others here and there on the family line. :-) That would be funny if we were related somewhere! :-)

Ana said...

Happy Thanksgiving Melanie!!!

Melanie said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Ana! :-)