Another Essay

The First Thanksgiving In America

The First Thanksgiving

The Pilgrims didn't have religious freedom in England. So, they sailed on a ship called, The Mayflower. They were traveling on the Atlantic Ocean towards the New World. The Pilgrims got sea sick. They ate beans, dried peas, salt pork and hard tack. They finally got there and saw the New World. They thanked God for their safe travels. They landed in Massachusetts. They wanted to have freedom to worship the way the Bible tells us to. That's why they moved to Massachusetts.

Arrival in the New World

Sixteen men rode ashore to look for a place to build homes. They first brought food and water to the women and children on the boat. It was so cold that November. Plymouth Rock is where they made homes.

Much Work To Do

The men and boys went to build houses for everyone. The women and children stayed on the boat for, four months! The men thought that the Indians were hostile. The food was scarce. There were no road and no stores. They had to share houses.  They were happy to be off of the Mayflower. Half of the Pilgrims got sick and died. They were glad to worship God freely. They had rough, primitive houses. There were no towns or cities. They were in the wilderness. They had to plant the crops in the spring. That was a long way off. They loved being free to worship God. They needed more food, though.

Squanto's Help and Friendship

Squanto was kidnapped in Africa. He learned English very well, later in England and that helped him later on. He was one of the the Indians who first came to talk to the Pilgrims. So, Squanto and Chief Samoset came to see them first. They had something to tell them. They said that Chief Massasoit and sixty of his warriors were coming to destroy the Pilgrims. One of the Pilgrims gave gifts to Chief Massasoit. The Pilgrims wanted to be friends. The chief was okay with that. When the Indians left, Squanto stayed to help them. He helped them fish and plant corn, with fish as fertilizer. He taught them how to protect the plants from the wolves digging them up. He also taught them to make a fish trap to catch a Herring fish that would be food for them to eat.

First Thanksgiving

Chief Massasoit came to the feast and he brought ninety Indian warriors. They didn't have enough food to feed them. Chief Massasoit sent some warrior to get five deer. They said thanks to God for giving them health, crops, food and friendship with the Indians. They ate and for dessert they had cornmeal pudding and dried berries. The Indians made popcorn balls sweetened with maple syrup. It was a treat for the children! They had Thanksgiving for three days! They remembered that when they first came to America, all they could have to eat each day was five grains of corn.

Making Thanksgiving a National Holiday

In the early American colonies, Thanksgiving was celebrated for many years on different days. A lady by the name of Sarah Hale, she wrote letters to a lot of different people. Like, the mayor, governors, congressmen and even presidents. She wrote that she wanted to make Thanksgiving a holiday to be on one day! After seventeen years, it became a national holiday. Some things that I am thankful for are; that we live in America and that I have a Godly mom and dad and brothers and a sister.

The End

By: Tori Morgan