It’s hard to believe that it is once again time to give thanks for what we have in our lives. Read on to see how Marylanders celebrated Thanksgiving in years past:
Printed on Thanksgiving eve 1847 in The Baltimore Sun:
“To-morrow is the general Thanksgiving, and as some of the perquisites of the day, a good dinner, by all those if you can afford it, is indispensable. … Go, all who can afford it, and buy a good thanksgiving dinner, and we will mention an especial delicacy, which we will recommend to all whose means will justify its purpose — don’t forget those who cannot afford the usual enjoyments of to-morrow. To feel that you have not neglected them, when you take your seat at the well-spread table, will be the richest sauce with which your thanksgiving turkey can be eat.”
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Newspaper correspondents reported happenings in each of their towns. In the Democratic Advocate (Carroll County), two correspondents in 1914 shared how Thanksgiving was observed in their community.
In Manchester:
“Family reunions, turkey and chicken dinners, and all the good things belonging to a real Thanksgiving dinner, were held in most of the homes in Manchester, on Thanksgiving day. In the afternoon, the shooting for a 15 pound turkey was the maea for our young men. The young ladies enjoyed the ideal weather, with walks and drives.”
And in nearby Melrose:
“Thanksgiving passed quietly. Everyone was thankful that they could work, as the majority of our people worked during the day.”
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And in 1914, this is how Thanksgiving Day was observed in Elkton:
“This New England Sunday was observed in our town by service in most of the churches and good dinners after church. A show of suspending business was made and the stores semi-closed.”
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Sources: The Baltimore Sun, November 24, 1847; Cecil Whig, November 28, 1914, Democratic Advocate, December 4, 1914
Bygone Maryland 
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