Beginning Of An Authentic American Holiday

On Thanksgiving Day (Guest Writing)

Nov 27, 2008

Saying For Today: From out of nowhere, a friendly Indian wandered into the little settlement. Not only was he friendly but ... get this ... he could speak pretty good English.

Rev. Wayne M. Johnson, was born in Wachula, FL., in 1937. He graduated with a Master's degree from Asbury Theological Seminary, in 1964. Wayne served in the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church for thirty years. He held the pastorate of seven United Methodist churches. Wayne has been married to Clarice Polk, also of Wachula FL, for over fifty years. The couple lives in Lake Suzy, FL, where they have lived for almost fourteen years. Wayne and Clarice have three sons and one daughter, all living in Florida.

I am honored to present Wayne's writing as a Special Guest Edition. The writing is on the origins of Thanksgiving Day. I was blessed by hearing him present it to my congregation, where Wayne and Clarice attend worship.

The year was 1620, and a cool September morning was dawning at Plymouth, England. The 180 ton “Mayflower,” with 102 souls on board and a large amount of supplies and provisions, was just under way with full sail bound for America - the New World 3,500 miles away across a very stormy and rough Atlantic Ocean.

Can you imagine the feelings of apprehension, fears, and awful anxiety of the passengers who were packed and crammed aboard that leaky, overloaded vessel? We can only guess at what some of their thoughts might have been. Probably, most of them were thinking of the two previous failed attempts to make this same voyage. Please keep in mind that the start of the voyage on that cool September morning at Plymouth, England was not the first attempt at crossing the Atlantic to reach America.

The original plan called for two ships. One for passengers and another for provisions and supplies. Of course, that would be very expensive, and it would take months of bargaining and negotiating with financiers and land companies to raise the capital to fund this well-thought-out plan.

Nevertheless, they started the process and after a rather lengthy period of time, two vessels, the Speedwell and Mayflower, were chartered for the journey. All of the provisions and supplies were to be loaded aboard the Mayflower; such as, barrels of pickled beef and pork, hard tack, salted flour, cheese, dried beans, butter, lemons, sugar, raisins, a few barrels of fresh water, and a large supply of rum and beer. The passengers would all be packed away on board the Speedwell.

In time, all was ready and the two ships sailed out of Southampton Harbor, on the southwest coast of England. They were bound for the mouth of the Hudson River, near present-day New York City.

It was very disappointing to say the least, when the passengers learned that the Speedwell had more leaks than it had passengers. Although it had recently brought 45 "Pilgrims" from Holland to England, it was in serious trouble even before clearing the Southampton Harbor. Both ships returned to Southampton where the Speedwell was caulked, patched, and pronounced "fit" and seaworthy.

A few days later, both ships set forth on a second attempt to cross the Atlantic and reach the New World. Everything was going fine. Both ships cleared the harbor and were making good time.

The Mayflower was a square rigged vessel, broad beamed, and quite seaworthy, except for a few persistent leaks in its wooden hull, but nothing real serious. However, about 300 miles out to sea, the Speedwell started taking on water in such quantities that the hand operated bilge pumps could barely keep her afloat. It was hopeless! There was no way the Speedwell could make it across the Atlantic. So, for the second time, both ships turned back and this time docked at Plymouth, England where the Speedwell was pronounced "unrepairable."

One would have to think that after two failed attempts to complete the voyage, plus the verdict of unrepairable on the Speedwell, the passengers would be ready to call it quits. And a few did. Who could blame them? But, in spite of all the difficulty and trouble, a large majority were still determined to sail to the New World. And so, they started preparations for a third attempt!

This turn of events causes us to wonder? Who in the world are these brave and somewhat stubborn people anyway? And, why were they so insistent and determined to go on this dangerous and perilous journey? The history books state that for the most part, they were just ordinary men and women. But, they had an extraordinary purpose! They were seeking religious freedom!

Actually, they began their journey 12 years earlier when a pastor by the name of John Robinson and two laymen, William Bradford and William Brewster, separated themselves from the Church of England. Others soon joined them. They all felt the same dissenting spirit. They were "fed up" with the Anglican Church, also known as the Church of England. Their dissatisfaction was with all the man made rituals, customs, and laws that the church practiced.

These "dissenters" or "separatists," later known as "pilgrims," were determined to establish a completely new orthodox denomination. They visualized a Church which was more in line with the early New Testament Church. However, their efforts to accomplish this goal collided head on with the powerful hierarchy of the Royal Church of England. They faced severe persecution and even banishment from the Empire. So, there was only one solution: "Get out of there!" Sail for the "new world," where the suppression and mistreatment of the Anglican Priests could not reach them.

The moment of truth finally arrived. They were going to make a third attempt to reach the New World. This time all the passengers (Pilgrims and a few other English “adventurers” who for various reasons wished to emigrate to America), plus all the provisions and supplies, were packed aboard this one overloaded ship, the Mayflower.

And now, we are back right where we started. Remember? “The year was 1620 and a cool September morning was dawning at Plymouth, England...” We now know that on that cool September morning, when they set sail for America, it was their third attempt! But, this time, they cleared the harbor and they were on their way.

It would be a long, tedious, and dangerous journey. How long? Sixty six days! The record indicates that no one on board was ever comfortably warm or for that matter completely dry. There was no plumbing ... no fresh water for bathing... and at one point almost everyone, including the entire crew, was hopelessly seasick.

Then, at daybreak on November 9, 1620, the lookout saw a faint dark line off the starboard bow and cried, "Land ahoy!" But, it was not the mouth of the Hudson River; it was the rugged coast of Maine. However, a few days later, with skill and daring, some excellent navigation and lots of luck, they rounded the curved tip of what we know today as Cape Cod and dropped anchor in what they called "Great Harbor," known today as Cape Harbor.

At first, the reality of what they had accomplished was slow to become clear. They had made it. They had successfully crossed the stormy Atlantic. Finally, everyone was in a festive mood.

The harbor was large and well-sheltered, ringed with large trees and alive with all kinds of waterfowl and wild game. However, before any one set foot on the soil of the New World, they would draw up and sign a document known today as the Mayflower Compact. In essence, the document declared that no one would exercise individual liberty against the peace and welfare of the community as a whole. It was in essence a social contract in which the settlers consented to follow the rules and regulations for the sake of survival. It was to be "one for all and all for one," working together as a family.

On Thursday, December 17, while the Mayflower was still anchored in "Great Harbor," it was decided to send out a party of 10 men for the purpose of search and exploration. It was very important to find the best place to land and build a colony. The party was led by one of the English “adventurers” on board, Captain Miles Standish, and also included William Bradford and 8 other men.

While these 10 men were on shore looking for the best place to start and build the colony, something both tragic and mysterious occurred. Dorothy Bradford, wife of William Bradford, fell overboard and drowned. Her death is still a mystery to this very day. How could she have accidentally fallen off the ship when it was safely anchored in a calm harbor? And, if she did accidentally fall off, why did not someone come to help her? Did she jump or could she have been pushed? We will never know.

On Monday, December 21, 1620, just 3 days later, the Pilgrims sounded the harbor and found it suitable for shipping. So, they anchored the Mayflower near a spot of land known today as Plymouth Rock. And, it was here they marched ashore!

The first priority was to build shelter before the onslaught of the worst Winter they could possibly imagine. The severity of the Winter soon took its toll. and the supply of beans, pickled beef, and pork was exhausted, and all the waterfowl were gone along with the berries and herbs. There was nothing but wind, ice, and snow. Disease wiped out entire families. At one point, only 6 men were strong enough to do work of any kind. Within three months, 51 members of the colony had died, leaving only 49 members alive and most of them seriously ill. The little colony was about to go under. They had to have some help or they could not survive. The supply ship from England would not arrive until Spring. It seemed hopeless!

Then, something happened that no one could believe! From out of nowhere, a friendly Indian wandered into the little settlement. Not only was he friendly but ... get this ... he could speak pretty good English. What? How could this be? Was it a miracle? Yes! God worked a miracle! The Indian’s name was Samoset; he had learned English from English traders on the coast of Maine.

Samoset introduced the colonists to Massasoit, chief of the Wampanoag Indians, who signed a peace treaty with the Pilgrims. Squanto, another English-speaking Indian, had been captured by slave traders and taken to London, where he learned some English. On a return voyage to the New World with his sea captain master, he had escaped. Now, this slave-Indian would literally save the entire colony. Squanto acted as guide and interpreter, and with his help the colonists learned to plant corn, catch fish, and gather fruit.

In the late Spring of the following year, the surviving colonists had cause to hope. The sickness had passed, and nature was supplying some wild food ... thanks to Squanto's skill and expertise. Still, the ultimate survival of the colony hinged on one thing: the summer corn crop. If it failed, there would be no way they could make it through the next Winter ... even with Squanto's help. The reality of the situation was that one miracle was not enough. A second miracle would have to follow the first. Guess what? It did!

The corn yield was more than they ever expected. William Bradford, governor of the little colony, called for a harvest festival which was a time of feasting and giving thanks to Almighty God. The Pilgrims invited the Indians to celebrate with them. It was a remarkable demonstration of giving thanks! It lasted for three days!

A letter written by one of the Pilgrims mentions what they served for the Thanksgiving feast: “...venison (wild deer) and wild fowl," - probably turkey, duck and goose. Other traditional items served at an English feast would have included cornbread and pudding. Cheese was a tasty treat. Vegetables would have included corn, onions, and pumpkin. Fish was usually not served at great feasts because it was too "common," but there might have been some lobster or cod.

It was the beginning of an authentic American holiday! Happy Thanksgiving!