Early Massachusetts Thanksgiving Proclamations through 1776
The piece traces how colonial days of thanksgiving and fasts arose for diverse reasons, listing motives from rain shortages to military and church support. It notes royal governors issued proclamations, later shifting to the General Court, and shows the change from Colony to Commonwealth language with prayers ending proclamations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Colonies
Massachusetts
Germany
Palatinate
Newton
General Court
House of Representatives
Bernard
Congress
Cambridge
King
Provincial Congress
Watertown
God Save the People
God Save the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Sun still far from cooling stage as photosphere lacks oxygen
Observations on Mont Blanc suggest no oxygen like ours in the photosphere, supporting that the sun remains far from cooling. Denmark reports quick felling of a 25 inch girth tree using gun cotton, with one bore per foot of circumference.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
M. Janssen
Mont Blanc
Denmark
American Street Railway Association
Black Sea
Hamburg
Time to Marry in Petaluma Wedding Gaffe
A London Woman reports a wedding in Petaluma where the groom could not find the ring. The missing ring fell through a hole in his boot, prompting the parson to urge marriage as the organ played a voluntary. The groom removed his boot, found the ring, and revealed a hole in his stocking.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Petaluma
A White Lie Exposes A Surprise Relation
A reader recalls a piece praising white lies and tries one on Mrs. with a comment about her daughter. Mrs. corrects him, revealing the young woman is actually her sister in law, not her daughter, in Kansas City.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kansas City
Thanksgiving as Public Ceremonial Ties Nation to Its Work
A Chicago Inter Ocean editorial argues for a distinct public ceremony on Thanksgiving to link national well being with the nation's work and mission, beyond domestic and churchly customs. It calls for a broader observance that publicly honors civic achievement and progress.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago Inter Ocean
Love and Comfort Amid Life's Tempest
Poetic meditation on divine love and humble happiness. The speaker contrasts worldly wealth with spiritual riches and intimate affection. They affirm that love provides shelter from sorrow, with cherubim protection and a promise that love endures despite hardship, blending tears and future smiles.
Thanksgiving Blessings and a Family Sacrifice Airs Hope
A struggling editor Ned Trottiper sacrifices a prized Shakespeare volume to fund a Thanksgiving feast for his wife Bess and their children. The family’s modest meal, shared after hardship, rekindles gratitude and faith, foreshadowing improved fortunes as the tale links sacrifice to abundance. Also a reflective note extols Thanksgiving’s family reunions and its enduring spiritual significance.
Furious patron demands refund over empty postbox
A man at the delivery window complains he bought a mailbox and has not received a letter in two weeks while others get mail. He demands his money back and is told to return later, as the clerk notes a mistake and fills the box with patent medicine circulars.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mrs. Trottiper
Bess
Ned
Freddy
Cypher
Belfast
Chant of the Thanksgiving Glutton
Poet imagines a turkey as a preferred feast, craving a rich crusty pie and a bird to nestle in the chest. The verse revels in indulgence and playful appetite for Thanksgiving fare.
Thanksgiving Dinner Scene at the Markets
The narration portrays Thanksgiving market chaos with buyers, turkeys on hooks, ducks and chickens piled high, celery and apples on counters, and a mix of lavish birds for the well to do and modest meals for the poor. It hails Thanksgiving as America’s national holiday.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
America
Escape on a Broomstick From Well Draught
Mrs Christiance, cleaning a farm well two miles east of Fonda, fell headfirst into ten feet of water but clung to a stone and used a broom to climb to the surface. She alternately braced with the broom and stones, finally reaching the curb and dry land, crediting the broom with her survival. Albany Journal notes her insistence on keeping the broom.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fonda
Byron Christiance
Christiance
Albany Journal
Milk Tricksters Shortchange Preacher’s Donor Plan
A small town dairy tale recounts neighbors planning to honor a pastor with a donation visit. Milk cans were placed at the door to protect the milk from spill, but the next morning only water remained as villagers poured water into their pails, hoping to seem generous without diminishing their own supply.
Don't Believe All You Hear Tale From Rev Reed
Denver preacher Myron W Reed relays a parlor car tale from Omaha to Denver. A sleeping passenger snores loudly and an elderly man wakes him with a sharp remark. The sleeper asks how the alarm is known, and the reply declares we cannot help but hear it. The stranger then sleeps again.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Myron W. Reed
Denver
Omaha
Indianapolis
Skeleton prices cited for various animals and a human
A writer estimates skeleton values: ourang outang $200, lion $75, bear $65, dog $30, wale $150, horse $70, Indus river crocodile $80, shark $50, elephant $400, python $75. He notes human skeleton seems weak at $15, a surprisingly low price.
Homecoming on Thanksgiving Day Poem
A nostalgic call to families to return to the homeland and hearth for Thanksgiving. It invites children and grandchildren to unite with parents and grandparents, share memories, and give thanks, stressing the fragility of life, prayer, and the enduring warmth of family.
Prospective Woodpile Sparks Family Resolve in Snowbound Minnesota
Jack, a hard‑working young man, builds a large wood pile to heat his mother and two younger brothers after their father dies. A harsh winter, failed wood sales, and a snowbound train test their resolve, but a snowy rescue triggers generosity from passengers and crews who share food, clothing, and money, ensuring Thanksgiving warmth and gratitude.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jacky
Jack
Far East
Minnesota
Mother
Johnny
Ted
Joneses
Blakes
Murrays
Big Boy
Mae
Buffalo Express
Harvest Festival Transforming a Town Church
A Lakewood community turns a Thanksgiving no florid display into a harvest festival by inviting children to grow produce for the church. The church is decorated with pumpkins squash apples grapes and chrysanthemums and locals share the harvest with families in need. The children feel pride and the town celebrates a warmer, more generous holiday.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lakewood
Jim
Tim Peters
Madam Elder
Job Tucker
Exhausting the Reptile from Punxsutawney Told
A Punxsutawney speaker recalls a near encounter with a black runner snake. He describes fleeing two miles, the reptile pursuing relentlessly, and finally dying from exhaustion as he kept circling his home.
O Thou Great Father of nations Prayer
The piece invokes the Almighty in a national prayer tone praising mercy and unity. It laments a year ending and expresses hope for peace prosperity and national heart. The language is archaic and reverent with broad religious imagery.
Duke of Wellington aided by unknown rider at Waterloo
Lord Shaftesbury recounts in Sir George Burns's biography how during Waterloo a plain clothes gentleman rode up and offered to help. The duke directed him to deliver a pencil note to the commanding officer and the rider disappeared into the battle. Wellington praised the deed as valiant and selfless.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wateroo
Lord Shaftesbury
George Burns
Edwin Hodder
Duke of Wellington
London Daily News
Also Mentioned on This Page
Red Trottiper
Fred
Trottiper
Turkey
John Harberton
New York
Ned Trottiper
Freddie
Elsie
Bessie
Smith
Commonwealth
Providential Woodpile
Punxsutawney
Pittsburg
Sadowa
Bismarck
von Moltke
Londres
Hood
G. B. Gras
Eighth Street
N. W
Washington, D. C
C. J. Hood &Co
Lowell
Masa
Seriotu
Pension Special
N. H
Washington, D.C
Land and Indian Department
Usales
Nataa Ift
Tutt
Park Place
Carters
Carter Medicine CO
Small Price
PAVCN
Iola Cancer Infirmary
Iola
Waupaca
Wis
Comfort
Pam
the Pedine Co
Pat Pinet
Williamson & King
Chamber of Vambioen Chicago
Ill
Morris
Chichester
Cross Diamond
Drei
Nicollet Ave
Northwest
College Journal
T. J. Caton
United States
Hosebhrough M’s's Co
State St
York
Pan Soket
Arctic
Woonsocket Rubber Co, Y
Iubbers
Haseerrae
Warren, Pa
Sapolio
Western Machinery
17Th St
Denver, Colo
THE
van Dusen-Harrington CO
Commission
Minneapolis
Duluth
Chicago
Milwaukee
Geen Baloo
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