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Thanksgiving
On November 28th many Americans will pause, gather with family, and give thanks for the good things in their lives. Observing Thanksgiving is now a nationally shared experience, but that was not always the case. From that days of colonial settlement days of thanksgiving were set by governors and ministers. President Lincoln first declared a national Thanksgiving Day in 1863, and in 1942 an act of Congress set the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day in the United States.
At Woodlawn, we often wonder how Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Black family. Unfortunately, evidence is scarce until 1861 when John Black’s widow, Frances Black (1803-1874), began writing brief entries in a diary that she kept from April 1861-May 1863.
Frances Black was a devout Christian and mindful of her privilege as one of Ellsworth’s wealthiest citizen. In 1861, at the age of 58, she was head of a diminished Woodlawn household made up of herself, a companion Susan Watson, and at least two female servants. Occasionally, her cousin and stepson George N. Black (1814-1880), and other Black family in- laws were also in residence at the mansion.
According to Frances, preparations for Thanksgiving began on Monday November 18th.
“Appearance of snow. Susan repairing a silk dress for me. Cynthia busy with preparations for Thanksgiving. Tuesday_beautiful day. Cynthia very busy preparing meat for pies. Wednesday_still beautiful weather. Mr. Black [George N Black] anxiously expecting vessels to load. Pies _ chickens and turkeys sent off to the poor for Thanksgiving. Thursday_ This is Thanksgiving day: heard a very fine discourse from Rev Mr. Williams from the Text “God made the North and the South” – was very much pleased with it. Was invited to dine with my niece Mrs. Dutton. – declined- but took tea there in company with the Misses Deane. Susan W. passed the day there. Had a turkey roasted for the kitchen folks; Margaret [a servant] passed the day out. Mr. Lake came up about four, to see about the gas. In evening Miss Herbert [neighbor] came over, making her last call at Woodlawn!! A fine- sunny beautiful day for Thanksgiving.
The next year, nothing appears about preparations for Thanksgiving, but once again George Black arrived from Boston just before the holiday to wrap up lumber shipments for the year. “27th Thanksgiving_went to the Methodist Chapel_heard a lecture on Astronomy. Dined off Beefsteak_ Mr. B [George N. Black] dined at Mr. Wiswells [a cousin by marriage to George].”
We are left wanting for more information about the holidays. One thing is certain— during France’s residency, Woodlawn was not a center for family holiday gatherings.
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