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The First Thanksgiving

Did the Pilgrims Have Turkey for Dinner?

Nov 15, 2006 Mary Trotter Kion

The first Thanksgiving feast, attended by Pilgrims and Indians probably consisted of turkey, venison, fish, corn, and fruits and berries.

Knowledge of the first Thanksgiving, celebrated in America by the Pilgrims who arrived in the New World aboard the Mayflower, comes from a letter, dated December 11, 1621, "sent from New England to a friend" in England. The author of the letter is believed and assumed to have been Edward Winslow, although the letter as it is reprinted in Mourt's Relation is merely signed "Your loving friend, E. W."

The letter gives us no actual date of the first Thanksgiving feast but as it seems to have directly followed a successful harvest the present date of celebrating Thanksgiving is probably near correct.

Turkey or No Turkey?

Probably the big question, other than actual date of the first Thanksgiving, is this: Did the Pilgrims actually have turkey for Thanksgiving dinner? According to William Bradford, who was there, in his book Of Plymouth Plantation: 1620 - 1647, they probably did as he says, "besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many."

Massasoit Comes to Dinner

However, it seems that turkey wasn't the only thing on the menu that day of giving thanks. They also had venison. According to E. W., some ninety Indians joined in the festivities along with their "greatest king Massasoit." The Pilgrims entertained and feasted with these Native Americans for three days. And it's nice to know that these Indian guests did not come empty-handed. They went out and killed five deer. They brought them back to Plymouth and passed them around.

Besides turkey and other birds, and venison, they also had fish. A group went out fishing and came back with cod, bass, and other fish. These, also, were passed around and shared by everyone.

The First Thanksgiving: Did the Pilgrims Have Turkey for Dinner? continues with: The Pilgrims Give Thanks: The Fruits of Their Labor and Turkey Too.