Historic Newton Throwback: 'Charming' Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving became an official American holiday in 1863, right in the midst of the Civil War. In a proclamation establishing the holiday, Abraham Lincoln invited his fellow Americans to set aside the last Thursday in November as a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” He also encouraged citizens to “fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it…to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.”

The Jackson family who resided at what is now the Jackson Homestead and Museum on Washington Street, responded with annual celebrations that continued for many years after the Civil War ended in 1865. Ellen Jackson (1825-1902), wrote of “turkeys perfectly roasted” and lively guests. “Never were there gayer or more charming companies than met at the Thanksgiving dinners that brought all the family together. Proud was the young mother who could produce a new baby to be admired and petted on that occasion, and great was the rivalry among the mothers over the lovely embroidered [garments] of various pretty colors in which the little girls were dressed.” One year, 38 people were seated around the table. The kitchen (pictured in 1902 with Louise Smallwood Keith, a Jackson family descendant) could bake 40 pies at the same time! No one left hungry – and it’s likely that everyone was thankful.