The First Thanksgiving

Squanto remained with the Pilgrims at Plymouth and became a Christian. The Mayflower returned to England, loaded with timber and furs. However, the settlement remained in debt to the Plymouth Company for years to come and never became an independent colony. It was finally absorbed into the Massachusetts Colony.

Thanks to Squanto's expertise, maize was planted, maple trees were tapped for syrup and deer were trapped. The settlers were shown where to find grapes, strawberries, plums and other fruit.

By Autumn 1621, the harvest was so abundant that a Thanksgiving ceremony was planned. Squato was sent to invite Chief Massasoit. When he arrived, he was accompanied by ninety comrades who had to be dispatched to hunt for more food.

Finally, the Indians stayed for three days and everyone feasted on goose, duck, venison, lobster, eel, corn bread, fruit and red and white wine. Two and a half centuries later, President Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday in the U.S.A., to be celebrated on the last Thursday of each November.

• European Settlement in North America : Introduction
• The First Colony : Virginia
• The Pilgrim Fathers
• The Mayflower and the Mayflower Compact
• Plymouth Settlement
• Massachusetts
• Other Colonies
• Top of Page