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The First Thanksgiving |
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On March 21st, 1621, a treaty (below) of friendship between the English settlers and Wampanoag was reached and Massasoit Ousa Mequin granted them the 12,000 acres that became known as Plymouth Plantation. The settlers thrived with Wampanoag assistance and Massasoit and 90 of his men attended a three-day feast hosted by the new arrivals. This is the first Thanksgiving the Pokanoket shared with the Pilgrims.
Massasoit (Great Leader) Ousa Mequin was born in the village of Pokanoket near present-day Bristol, Rhode Island, around 1590. Ousa Mequin means "Yellow Feather". He was the leader of the Wampanoag Nation. As the leader of the Nation he validated the treaty of 1621 with his signature. It was an agreement that was never broken, and the two groups enjoyed a peaceful coexistence.
The treaty, contained these agreements; 1. That he nor any of his should do hurt to any of their people. 2. That if any of his did hurt any of theirs, he should send the offender, that they might punish him. 3. That if anything were taken away from any of theirs, he should cause it to be restored; and they should do the like to his. 4. If any did unjustly war against him, they would aid him; if any did war against them, he should aid them. 5. He should send to his neighbors confederates to certify them of this, that they might not wrong them, but might be likewise compromised in the conditions of peace. 6. That when their men came to them, they should leave their bows and arrows behind them. 7. That King James would esteem Massasoit as his friend and ally.
The Indians an the Pilgrims had agreed not to focus on what they didn’t have but what they had together. They gave thanks together. |
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