I am reading “Albion’s Seed” by DH Fischer, one of the most interesting books I have ever read. It is simply wonderful reading.
The “tradition” that most of us learned in public school is that the first Thanksgiving was held in 1621 in Plymouth by Pilgrim settlers and Native Americans.
In the LC lecture on the Cavaliers, Professor McClanahan states that the first Thanksgiving was held in Virginia in 1618 (or 1619, I have to look at my notes.)
DH Fischer states that the first Thanksgiving in the Massachusetts Bay colony took place in February of 1630/31 and that Thanksgiving began to occur regularly after King Philip’s (Metacom) War. (page 165). Although I have yet to reach the Cavalier portion of “Albion’s Seed” nothing regarding Thanksgiving is in the index outside of the Puritan culture.
A – Where, exactly, did the Virginia Thanksgiving take place and what is the source?
B – Does the “traditional” Thanksgiving of 1621 count as the first Thanksgiving in Massachusetts?
Thanks.