It would not be appropriate to let Thanksgiving pass without writing about the history of this particular holiday. We all know the general story. We know that the Pilgrims came from England on the Mayflower to escape religious persecution from King James I in 1620. We know that they landed in Massachusetts at a place later called Plymouth. We know that the first year was a terrible year for the settlers and many of them died. We know that the next year was much better and that there was a good harvest. We know that they invited the nearby Native Americans for a feast of “thanksgiving”. We know the names of some of the important characters in this story. We know William Bradford, Priscilla Mullins, John Alden, Miles Standish, Massasoit and Squanto. We know the story of the “first Thanksgiving”, but do we really understand the amazing story of God’s providence?
Squanto was key to the survival of the Pilgrim settlers in 1620. He was a Native American from the Patuxet tribe. He was probably born in 1585, although this is not one-hundred percent certain. He was abducted and brought to Europe in 1605. He was rescued from slavery by Spanish friars. They taught him the doctrines of the Christian faith. He finally returned to New England in 1619 only to be faced with terrible tragedy. His tribe had been annihilated by disease brought by the English.
When the Pilgrims arrived in 1620, Squanto played a crucial role in the establishment of the Plymouth Colony. He taught the Pilgrims how to grow maize (corn) and survive in the harsh North American wilderness. He was also crucial in helping the Pilgrims establish relations with their Native American neighbors: the Wampanoag. Without Squanto the Plymouth Colony may not have survived through the year of 1621.
It is true that the Native Americans were fundamental in establishing Plymouth Colony. The notion, however, that the Thanksgiving feast was a celebration praising Squanto and the Wampanoag for their help is not accurate. The Pilgrims no doubt appreciated the aid of the Native Americans they praised God and his Providence for their survival in the New World. William Bradford wrote in his Of Plimoth Plantation,
“Our fathers were Englishmen which came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness, but they cried unto the Lord and he heard their voice, and looked to their adversity. Let them therefore praise the Lord, because he is good, and his mercies endure forever. Yea, let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, show how he hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressor. When they wandered in the desert wilderness out of the way, and found no city to dwell in, both hungry and thirsty, their soul was overwhelmed in them. Let them confess before the Lord his loving kindness, and his wonderful works before the sons of men.” (Updated spelling)
God was provident over the Pilgrims. He understood that they would need the aid of the Native Americans. His providence worked all things, even Squanto’s abduction, for the good of the Pilgrims. His providence alone is responsible for the survival of the Plymouth Colony and the first Thanksgiving feast.