From the Dutch Colonies Mailing List at rootsweb.com Since there were some settlers who came to Fairfield County of "Netherland Dutch" descent, I am including the following story of the 1st Thanksgiving. The First Thanksgiving In New Netherland (New York) Although a treaty of peace had been made with the Esopus on July 15,1660,Stuyvesant did not return the Indians he had sent into slavery at Curacao,and the Indian tribes never forgot. It was because of this, that after nearly four years of peace, on the 7th of June, 1663, as the villagers of Wildwyck went about their daily activities, several small bands of Indians came through the gates, nearly unnoticed. As they went through the streets offering beans and corn for sale, a horseman rode through the gates shouting "the Indians have destroyed the new village!" At this moment, the Indians set Wildwyck in flames, and either murdered, or took prisoner, many of the village residents. In December of this year, the chiefs appeared before the Council, anxious for peace. During the next five months, those settlers, who had been taken captive, were returned. Then, on May 15th, a notable gathering assembled in the council room at New Amsterdam. His "Noble Worship" the director Petrus Stuyvesant presided. Others in attendance were: the Honorable Nicasius de Sille, the Honorable C.V. Ruyven, the Honorable Cornelis Steenwyck, the Honorable Paulus Leenderstsen van der Grist, Burgomasters of the city, Captain Lieutenant Marten Cregier, Lieutenant van Couwenhoven, Govert Loockermans, of Staten Island; Thomas Chambers, Commissary of the village of Wildwyck; Jacob Backer, President of the Schepens; and Abraham Wilmerdonk. Sara Kierstede acted as interpreter. Representing the Esopus, were approximately twelve of the tribal chiefs. After much talk the terms of the peace was agreed upon. This treaty marks the passing of the Indian. He was no longer a menace or a terror. On May 6, 1664, Dominie Blom sent a petition to Stuyvesant asking that June 7th of every year be designated as an anniversary or thanksgiving day, on which no work should be done, in remembrance of the return of those taken captive by the Indians, and to "thank his Divine Majesty for it". Stuyvesant complied with the request, and on May 31st, he issued a pro-clamation to all the magistrates of the colony designating June 4th a general day of thanksgiving for the conclusion of the peace with the Indians and the return of the captives. The magistrates were to advise the "reverend ministers of God's word, that it may be by them communicated from the altar to the community". Carol Swinehart cshart@greenapple.com Listowner of Fairfield County, Ohio Mailing List at: OHFAIRFI-L@rootsweb.com Stop by the Fairfield County,Ohio Webpage at: http://www.greenapple.com/~ksmith or the Fairfield County, Ohio GenWeb page at: http://www.greenapple.com/~ksmith/que.html