Thanksgiving Traditions and Their Untold Origins

Thanksgiving stands out as a quintessential American holiday. Originating in New England, it was officially recognized by George Washington and later integrated into the national calendar by Abraham Lincoln. Today, it unites a diverse population, often feeling a bit scattered or conflicted, as they come together to pray, prepare meals, share joy, and express gratitude.

The familiar tale recounts Pilgrims celebrating a fruitful harvest alongside Native Americans—often cited as the first Thanksgiving. This gathering was intended as a festival of thanks, yet it seems, historically, there wasn’t a clear-cut tradition right away. New England Puritans did celebrate various Thanksgivings throughout the years, as well as days of fasting, but there was not much agreement on a consistent observance until much later.

In 1789, George Washington made the initial Thanksgiving Proclamation under the new national government; however, it remained an isolated occurrence. He didn’t issue another until 1795. John Adams, representing New England, called for a national Thanksgiving, but Thomas Jefferson from Virginia did not. By the time James Madison took office in 1809, he held off until 1815—after the War of 1812—before declaring a national Thanksgiving.

Then, in 1827, Sarah Josepha Hale, the author known for “Mary Had a Lamb,” embarked on a nearly four-decade-long effort to establish Thanksgiving as an annual national holiday. Her persistence paid off in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln granted her wish, earning her the title “Mother of Thanksgiving.”

That’s the version we’ve come to know. Yet, the deeper origins of our Thanksgiving celebration lie in a sermon delivered by a woman largely forgotten by history.

Her name was Hannah Mother Crocker. Had her family not focused so intensely on resisting royal authority, she would have been born in the summer of 1752 into a lineage one could call “New England royalty.” Her father, Samuel Mather, was the son of Cotton Mather, grandson of Increase Mather, and great-grandson of Richard Mather. Her great-grandmother was the well-known religious dissident Anne Hutchinson.

Crocker came from a legacy of pioneering Americans who questioned the elite’s right to govern everyday lives. Her ancestors helped lay the groundwork for freedom and independence in America, absorbing the belief that the nation was destined for greatness.

What has often been overlooked, and perhaps overshadowed by Hale’s lengthy campaign, was Crocker’s vital contribution to Thanksgiving as we know it: her Thanksgiving sermon delivered on November 24, 1813. At that time, it was unusual for women to write and deliver sermons, yet Crocker, being well-educated under her father’s guidance and a strong advocate for women’s rights, managed to do so. She even wrote under the pseudonym “Increase Mother June,” honoring her great-grandfather, which likely contributed to her obscurity.

Her sermon emerged during a tumultuous period. The nation was again at war with England, and many New England ministers criticized the conflict, dubbing it “Madison’s War.” Hutchinson had previously condemned this upheaval in a sermon, labeling it an injustice and a sign that the “American Israel” had lost its way.

Crocker’s 1813 sermon, titled “Thanksgiving Sermon,” harkened back to the proclamations of Washington and Adams as well as the traditions of her New England ancestors. She argued that the government didn’t need to dictate when to celebrate Thanksgiving.

The notable theme of her sermon was the revival of American greatness, starting with Philippians 4:6, which encourages people to approach God boldly and lay their requests before Him with a spirit of gratitude. Essentially, she was asserting that individuals are deserving of God’s love and should not settle for what the world offers.

For Crocker, this wasn’t merely a personal lesson. She believed it applied to the nation as well, which she viewed as having been divinely blessed. She urged a return to faith in America’s exceptional destiny and condemned those who said the nation could only decline. Her message called for a replacement of fear with gratitude, prayer, and confidence in the country’s inherent worthiness of divine love.

“A heavy cloud looms over our nation, but we must not surrender to uncertainty,” Crocker proclaimed.

She framed the way to national revival with expressions echoing sentiments we hear today, like “Make America Great Again.” It’s easy to picture her adjusting the brim of a red hat as she made her point.

Crocker eloquently connected America’s Thanksgiving tradition to its foundational greatness. She depicted this as a continuation from the original Thanksgiving in Plymouth and Washington’s proclamation, sharply contrasting the U.S. with the chaotic and oppressive politics elsewhere.

She praised Washington for pursuing peace with all nations as a precursor to national happiness, knowing full well the destructiveness of war on morals, virtues, and faith. In stark terms, she condemned Madison’s government for initiating what she described as “a cruel, imprudent, and unjust war against the innocent people of Canada.”

Crocker contended that distractions from overseas were leading the nation astray, arguing that God wanted America to take precedence.

She even cited America’s historical treatment of Jews as a commendable element in the narrative.

“My American friends, let us take heart. May the Lord soon visit us in His mercy, for we are fortunate to be the only nation where His special people, the Jews, have not faced persecution under this government,” she wrote.

“Do not hesitate; let your prayers and supplications be accompanied by thanksgiving when you present your needs to God,” she concluded. “Let praise and glory be given to Him who is unchanging through time.”

Her sermon embodied the spirit of a woman defying worldly powers while serving God. These dual aspects made her a profound American patriot.

So, why is she not more remembered today? Perhaps it’s because Hale fit the traditional mold for Thanksgiving’s recognition, her name being prominent through decades of advocacy and direct communication with the president. On the other hand, Crocker’s sermons were disseminated under pseudonyms during wartime and faded from public awareness.

As we gather for Thanksgiving, let’s express our gratitude, enjoy good food, pray, and remain cautious in our actions. This day can be a moment for prayer, thankfulness, and optimism to dispel the anxieties and fears we often experience.

Let’s also take a moment to silently honor Hannah Mother Crocker, the true founder of our cherished Thanksgiving tradition.