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Native Americans
Long before settlers came to the east coast of the United States, the area was inhabited by many Native American tribes. The area surrounding the site of the first Thanksgiving, now known as southeastern Massachusetts and eastern Rhode Island had been the home of the Wampanoag people for over 12,000 years, and had been visited by other European settlers before the arrival of the Mayflower. The native people knew the land well and had fished, hunted, and harvested for thousands of generations. -
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The First Thanksgiving
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Pilgrims Leave for Plymouth
In September 1620, a small ship called the Mayflower left Plymouth, England, carrying 102 passengers—an assortment of religious separatists seeking a new home where they could freely practice their faith and other individuals lured by the promise of prosperity and land ownership in the New World. -
The Settlers Arrive
After surviving the 66 day voyage, the Mayflower crew sighted land off Cape Cod on November 9, 1620 and first landfall was made November 11, 1620 The voyage from Plymouth, England to Plymouth Harbour is about 2,750 miles, and took the Mayflower 66 days. -
Establishing a Community
The pilgrims spent three days surveying for a settlement site. They rejected several sites in favor of the site of a recently abandoned Native American settlement named Patuxet. The location was chosen for its defensive position; the settlement would be centered on two hills: Cole's Hill, where the village would be built, and Fort Hill, where a defensive cannon would be stationed. Also the prior Indian villagers had cleared much of the land, making agricriculture relatively easy. -
Gathering for Winter
The Puritans knew that winter was coming and decided to gather provisions. They took anything they could find, including Wampanoag supplies. The Wampanoag kept a close watch on them and thought they were a disrespectful bunch for stealing all their goods. -
Tension Arises
In mid-February, after several tense encounters with local Native Americans, the male residents of the settlement organized themselves into military orders; Myles Standish was designated as the commanding officer. By the end of the month, five cannons had been defensively positioned on Fort Hill. John Carver was elected governor to replace Governor Martin. -
Making Peace
One day, the settlers had a visit from Samoset, a leader from the Abenaki people, who brought Tisquantum (better known as Squanto) with him. Squanto was a Wampanoag man who had experience with other settlers and knew English. Squanto helped the settlers grow corn and use fish to fertilize their fields. After several meetings, a formal agreement was made between the English and the native people and they joined together to protect each other from other tribes in March of 1621. -
Squanto Helps
Squanto taught the Pilgrims, weakened by malnutrition and illness, how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants. He also helped the settlers forge an alliance with the Wampanoag, a local tribe, which would endure for more than 50 years and tragically remains one of the sole examples of harmony between European colonists and Native Americans. -
Harsh Winter Led to Many Deaths
During the first winter in the New World, the Mayflower colonists suffered greatly from diseases like scurvy, lack of shelter and general conditions onboard ship. 45 of the 102 emigrants died the first winter and were buried on Cole's Hill. Additional deaths during the first year meant that only 53 people were alive in November 1621 to celebrate the harvest feast which modern Americans know as "The First Thanksgiving." Of the 18 adult women, 13 died the first winter while another died in May. -
Harvesting the Land
Leading up to the first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims cultivated and harvested the land. They worked on restoring their health, rebuilding their strength and solidifying their community. -
The First Thanksgiving
The original harvest festival known as Thanksgiving was held in early October 1621 and was celebrated by the 53 surviving Pilgrims, along with Squanto and 90 of his men. The celebration lasted three days and featured a feast that included numerous types of waterfowl, wild turkeys and fish procured by the colonists, and five deer brought by the Native Americans.
