Give Thanks
The earliest known “day of thanksgiving” in South Carolina was observed by French soldiers at Parris Island in Beaufort County in the year 1564. English settlers probably paused for a day of thanks shortly after establishing Charles Town on the Ashley River in 1670. The earliest recorded instance of a day of public thanksgiving in Charleston (that is known of) took place on October 17, 1706, to celebrate the survival of South Carolina in the face of invading enemies. Julia Drayton of Magnolia married W.S. Hastie Jr. in 1870 which was the same year President Grant signed the Holiday Act making Thanksgiving (and three other holidays) federal holidays in Washington, D.C.
Did you know?
Oysters are best in months with an “r” (October, November, December, etc). Before modern refrigeration, oysters were often unsafe to eat in the warm water months, plus letting them procreate over the summer led to a bountiful fall harvest. Although modern refrigeration makes them safe to eat any time of the year, they’re still best in the chilly months.
The first celebration of the modern national holiday known as Thanksgiving Day took place on the third Thursday of November 1941, when everyone else in the United States celebrated that fixed national holiday for the first time.
Infuse some local flair and heritage into your Thanksgiving meal this year!
While the terms Gullah and Geechee are used interchangeably by some, Gullah often refers to those descendants in the Lowcountry of South Carolina while Geechee refers to those living in Coastal Georgia.
Traditions are a large part of the Gullah-Geechee culture and that includes cooking.
Pork, rather than turkey, is a traditional Gullah table staple at Thanksgiving, as well as oysters, fish in stew, friend, baked or stuffed as the menu calls back to using the resources of the land and centuries of tradition. Check out these unique Lowcountry-inspired Thanksgiving recipes from Southern Kitchen.
(Post and Courier)
(Black Southern Belle)
(Charleston Public Library)