Thanksgiving

What do I think of Thanksgiving? I think of the Mayflower passengers who had a feast with American Indians. I think of turkey (Ben Franklin wanted that as our national bird). I think of cranberries, stuffing, pumpkin pie.

But, what am I thankful for? My Lord, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for me. As I look back through this year, I am thankful that I cracked down some things about my family history.

I remembered one year, my grand-aunt told me that we had a relative who married the daughter of the one who came on the Mayflower. So, I borrowed the tree, so I can put it in my records. It is a big tree. I looked at it, and looked at it, and looked at it. Finally, I called her up and told her that we are descended from the Mayflower. Since then, I did a lot of research of my ancestor. His name? John Howland. I am descended from his daughter, Hannah, who married Jonathan Bosworth (second Jonathan). His wife, Elizabeth Tilley, also came on the Mayflower. Every Thanksgiving, I am honoring them. BTW, this is the same ancestor of FDR, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush. I am related to Churchill, Nixon, and Ford, through his brothers.

John Howland almost did not make it. He fell off the Mayflower, but he grabbed on to a halyard (rope) and the others pulled him in. He was a steward. To me, even though he my 10th great-grandfather, he is my hero. I am still researching him. For more information, go to this website: http://www.pilgrimjohnhowlandsociety.org/