A day for living history in Charles City

People gathered yesterday along the banks of the James River in Charles City County to commemorate America's first Thanksgiving.

But it wasn't the Thanksgiving commonly celebrated later this month -- the one with turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and football games. Yesterday's Virginia Thanksgiving Festival at the Berkeley Plantation, birthplace of the ninth U.S. president, William Henry Harrison, was in honor of the safe landing of English settlers 390 years ago.

"We offer thanks today, not for bountiful harvest and a good meal, lots of turkey and yams, as those things were the emphasis of the other Thanksgiving that comes later in November," said former state Sen. John H. Chichester, R-Northumberland, "but rather to navigate life's turbulent waters to live in a land that supports freedom, independence and entrepreneurship."

A group of 38 settlers, led by Captain John Woodlief, sailed from Bristol, England, on Sept. 16, 1619, for the New World. Orders from the London Company included a provision for a religious service of thanksgiving upon their safe arrival. After reaching land on Dec. 4, 1619, to settle the 8,000-acre land grant that is now Berkeley, the Englishmen dropped to their knees and thanked God for their safe voyage.

Those orders also required that the day of arrival be "yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to God," Festival President Peggy DeBellis Bruce told the gathering of about 50 people who braved yesterday's cold, rainy weather.

It was a step back in time for those who walked the grounds at Berkeley Plantation. The Colonial Players of Fort Lee Playhouse re-enacted the landing of the Margaret, the 35-foot vessel that carried Woodlief and his crew to Virginia.

Children made dolls from cornhusks, while the James River Black Powder Club demonstrated frontier living, and coffee and apple cider warmed on a nearby fire. Mike Harris, representing an 1830s fur trader, explained different firearms -- from pistols to rifles -- that were used during the early 19th century.

Rachel Long used a spindle to spin and twist wool into yarn, while another woman utilized a lucet to make cording, which was used to cinch dresses or sleeves. In the 18th and 19th centuries, children typically made the cording because the lucet was easy to handle, said Cheryl Dale-Hodges.

"Everybody contributed to the family welfare," she said.

There also was an introductory history of the Chickahominy Indian tribe and some of the dances they performed.

"Through our dances, you learn more about our heritage and culture," said Second Assistant Chief Wayne Adkins.

During the welcome dance, for example, Aaron Montez portrayed a visiting dignitary who would have used dance to convince the tribal chief "that he truly came in peace and friendship," Adkins said.

Sometimes, he added, the dance could go on for hours or even days.

Contact Jeremy Slayton at (804) 649-6861 or .