“The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.”   — H.U. Westermayer

We often forget what constitutes true hardship. We can lose perspective and allow things as small as a traffic jam or a long line to “ruin” our day. To remember true hardship, we can look back to the days of our forefathers, the founders of the Plymouth Colony, who celebrated the first Thanksgiving.

The Pilgrims suffered greatly from disease, harsh conditions, and a general lack of shelter. Of the original 102 emigrants, “only 53 people were alive in November 1621 to celebrate the first Thanksgiving. Of the 18 adult women, 13 died the first winter while another died in May. Only four adult women were left alive for the Thanksgiving.” (source: Wikipedia)

Barely a 50% survival rate! 49 out of 102 perished in the first year. Yet still they gave thanks. Their gratitude amidst their trials and tribulations is a wonderful lesson for all of us.

Mayflower passengers who died in the winter of 1620–1621:

Men:
• John Allerton
• Richard Britteridge
• Robert Carter
• James Chilton,
• Richard Clarke
• John Crackstone, Sr.
• Thomas English
• Moses Fletcher
• Edward Fuller
• John Goodman
• William Holbeck
• John Langmore
• Edmund Margesson
• Christopher Martin
• William Mullins
• Degory Priest
• John Rigsdale
• Thomas Rogers
• Elias Story
• Edward Thompson
• Edward Tilley
• John Tilley
• Thomas Tinker
• John Turner
• William White
• Roger Wilder
• Thomas Williams

Women:
• Mary (Norris) Allerton (reportedly in childbirth, baby was stillborn)
• Dorothy (May) Bradford
• Mrs. James Chilton
• Sarah Eaton
• Mrs. Edward Fuller
• Mary (Prower) Martin
• Alice Mullins
• Mary Mosher
• Alice Rigsdale
• Rose Standish
• Ann (Cooper) Tilley
• Joan (Hurst) Tilley
• Mrs. Thomas Tinker
• Elizabeth (Barker) Winslow
• Alice Closford

Children:
• William Butten (died at sea)
• John Hooke (age 14)
• Ellen More (age 8)
• Jasper More (age 7)
• Mary More (age 6)
• Joseph Mullins April
• Solomon Prower
• son of Thomas Tinker
• son of John Turner
• another son of John Turner