The First Thanksgiving

We know that the Mayflower left Plymouth, England on September 6, 1620 with 102 passengers, including three pregnant women, and a crew of about 30.  The voyage from Plymouth, England to Plymouth Harbor is about 2,750 miles, and took the Mayflower 66 days.

Captain John Smith wrote,

"The Gentlemen and Merchants of London, and of other places, provided two ships:  The Mayflower, at 160 tons and the Speedwell of 70 tons.  Leaving the coast of England on the 23 of August, they were forced to return the next day when the Speedwell sprung a leak.  The Mayflower returned to sea, less 20 of her passengers, on the sixth of September, and on the ninth of November sighted land at Cape James (Cod); but having been pestered for nine weeks in this leaking unwholesome ship, lying wet in their cabins, most of them grew very weak, and weary of the sea."

From William Bradford, we have his account of the crossing:

"..... and now all being compact together in one ship, they put to sea again with a prosperous wind, which continued divers days together, which was some encouragement unto them; yet according to the usual manner many were afflicted with sea sickness.

“…..But to omit other things, (that I may be brief,) after long beating at sea they fell with that land which is called Cape Cod; the which being made and certainly known to be it, they were not a little joyful.

"Being thus arrived in a good harbor and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven, who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth, their proper element. "

Land was sighted on November 9, 1620 and landfall was made on the 11th; the passengers now numbered 103 and the crew about 29.

The Problem

Nothing was known of the area they had landed at, other than the Dutch had listed the area as inaccessible.  It was the beginning of a New England winter, a time of sharp and violent weather, with fierce storms.  The land was a desolate wilderness known to be full of wild beasts and savage men.  There was great fear of the Indians, however none were to be seen until the following spring.

An attempt was made to put up a fort; however this failed due to the arrival of snow and the winter was spent living on board the ship.  The settlers had planned to live on fish and hunting, however, fishing was poor and hunting was sparse throughout the winter.  According to the journals kept at the time, only 6-7 men were able to continue to hunt and work on building the fort, the rest being too ill or dying.  During this winter, 57 of the passengers were to die from disease, drowning or starvation. 

The First Thanksgiving

By March of 1621 and the coming of warmer weather, they observed the first Thanksgiving - giving thanks to God for His provision and the solemn sharing of five (5) ‘kernals of corne' (buckwheat), for each of the survivors as their daily meal.

No Indians, no town, almost no food.  Just a celebration of life.

Not quite the story you thought, was it?