The First Thanksgiving
Some historians believe it took place in St. Augustine!
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends — giving thanks, celebrating togetherness and sharing a feast of fall foods. The holiday has its rituals and traditions, legends and lore, and much symbolism, even when it comes to the traditional staples of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie, which exemplify abundance, bounty and nourishment. Most believe the very first Thanksgiving was held in New England by English colonists, aka the pilgrims, in 1621, when legend has it that they shared a peaceful meal with the native Wampanoag people. It wasn’t until 1863 however that Thanksgiving became an official holiday in America, celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday in November. But some believe there was a Thanksgiving feast before 1621 — at least that’s what some scholars believe — and it may have been in St. Augustine!
St. Augustine is often referred to as “The Oldest City” or “Ancient City,” and was founded over 400 years ago, making it the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States. On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and 800 Spanish settlers landed on the shores of Northeast Florida, known as Seloy to the native peoples. Menéndez knelt down on the sandy soil and kissed a cross to bestow St. Augustine with its name, San Agustín. To celebrate and give thanks for their safe arrival, Father Francisco Lopez, Menéndez’s fleet’s captain, held the first Catholic mass in St. Augustine. After the religious ceremony, the indigenous Timucua people of Seloy were invited to share a meal with the Spaniards — a meal of thanks. According to the memoirs of Father Lopez,“the feast day (was) observed … after mass … (Menendez) had the Indians fed and dined himself.” The meal was a blend of both Spanish and Seloy food staples, with the Spaniards contributing cocido, a stew of pork and garbanzo beans, along with biscuits and red wine, and the Seloy contributing venison, alligator, maize, beans and squash. The mass and meal were both held at what is now known as Mission Nombre de Dios, or The Great Cross (a 208-foot cross erected in 1965), which sits just north of downtown. This special mass and meal took place 56 years before the pilgrims arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and so some historians claim it as the true first Thanksgiving — but not all agree.
Historians argue that there were other meals shared between colonists and native peoples that could have been before this one in St. Augustine, with some claiming there were significant meals of thanks in Texas, Virginia, Maine, and other settlements. While this meal in St. Augustine appears to be one of thanks and abundance, many scholars believe the most famous myth of the meal in Massachusetts was likely the one to inspire what we now think of the holiday of Thanksgiving. However, just like the traditions of Thanksgiving vary from family to family, the legends and lore of the very first Thanksgiving vary as well. Whatever you choose to believe, and whomever you choose to celebrate with, we here at Florida Water Tours hope you and yours have a safe and satiating Thanksgiving holiday this year.
We welcome you to celebrate the holidays with us at Florida Water Tours all season long! Beat the crowds downtown for Nights of Lights and see the magic from the water on one of our luxury watercrafts. We have the best views in town, taking you along the peaceful Intracoastal Waterway and Tolomato/Matanzas River, down to downtown’s glittering bayfront. Cruise past historic landmarks such as the Castillo de San Marcos, Mission Nombre de Dios, Bridge of Lions and St. Augustine Lighthouse, and take in the holiday magic and beautiful natural scenery. Choose from any of our unique tours and/or private charters, and come see us at Windward Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor Marina (107 Yacht Club Dr., St. Augustine, FL 32084). We offer free parking and restrooms on board. Our vessels are just a short walk from our boutique, located at Dock A-23, A-24 and A-25. Email us at [email protected] to book or inquire about your next sail.
