BellaOnline Forums Education History Pilgrim Question/Historical Info

Hi there Rebecca!!
As we are studying the first Thanksgiving, the question has come up as to why the pilgrims did not bring enough supplies, animals, etc with them. Grandma insists that John Smith sent them a telegram before they left saying not to bring nything much as the Native American tribes would help them grow food, hunt, etc. I have not heard that. Any thoughts?

I didn't think that telegram was available at that time.

The first successful transatlantic telegraph cable was completed on 27 July 1866, allowing transatlantic telegraph communications for the first time.

It is true that the Native Americans helped the new settlers in gathering and growing foods. Click on the following link to see what the Pilgrims on the Mayflower brought with them:

What the Pilgrims brought with them.

It is true that the telegraph was not invented yet. The truth was that some of the supplies go bad on the crossing. The animals that they brought did not all survive the journey across the Atlantic. Also, they were not familiar at all with the soil and the climate in the New World. They did not know what exactly would grow for them and when the growing seasons were. They arrived in May and spent the best part of the summer building and exploring than clearing for planting. When September came and the ship left, they were not prepared for the winter ahead of them. This could have been prevented if they had made peace earlier with the natives and gave appropriate attention to the planting and gathering of food.

They were clueless as to what to bring to survive. The Pilgrims brought paper though and wrote the Mayflower Compact.

Thanks to everyone so far for the awesome ideas/thoughts. The site is cool, Phyllis!
I am curious, though...why all the "talk" of Capt. John Smith communicating with the pilgrims prior to their journey?

Capt. John Smith was on the boat with them. He was not there waiting for them.