By Julianna Duerksen
Here’s some background about the history Thanksgiving. Try reading it out loud, then, check out the activities below!
“They found the Lord to be with them in all their ways, and to bless their outgoings and incomings, for which let his holy name have the praise forever, to all posterity.”1
William Bradford, Governor of Plymouth
That’s how William Bradford summed up the early years at Plymouth Plantation. Ever since the Separatists had stepped foot on Cape Cod, they had seen God’s provision time and time again.
That’s not to say those first few years after the landing of the Mayflower in 1620 were easy. That first winter, half of the company died of disease, leaving only about 50 settlers. Food was scarce and often ran out in the long Massachusetts winters.
But just when help was needed most, God would send deliverance. After the first winter, an Indian named Samoset from a surrounding tribe presented himself to the settlement. To their surprise, he spoke English and explained he had interacted with various English explorers who had come to the area. Samoset introduced the Separatists to a friend of his, Squanto, who had spent time in England.
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