The Homes Of Plymouth Where Thanksgiving Started, and Why You Should Still Be Thankful

Reprint from last year, but it still is is very timely. Happy Thanksgiving!

We sit in our heated and air conditioned homes this Thanksgiving preparing our turkeys and sweet potato pie waiting to see family arrive in their nice sedans. We are very excited for Thanksgiving,  but do we remember what the foundations of the holiday is and why  we are getting together?

“They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their house and dwelling against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck of meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned by true reports.” William Bradford, 1621

Since this is a real estate blog, think about the spartan existence the pilgrims were celebrating. And never forget, they were thankful that the second winter would be spent in the brutal  New England cold in these homes.

The earliest houses in Plymouth had thatched roofs, but because they were more likely to catch on fire, the colony eventually passed a law that required new homes be built with plank instead. Most houses had dirt floors, not wooden floors, and each had a prominent fire and chimney area, since this was the only source of heat as well as the only way to cook.  Mayflower History

So even with a slow real estate market  staring us in the face, we still have so much to be thankful for. When the conversation comes around the table and you want to complain about how rough 2007 was for you, STOP. Think back to what the pilgrims endured and then look at your world. You are still doing very well and give thanks for that.

And from my family to you, we give thanks for all you have given us. By coming to read The Real Estate Bloggers and supporting us, you help provide food and shelter while allowing me to do something I truly love. Thank you and God Bless You. — Tom

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