@1918 L-R Back row: Jim, Margaret, Tom, Myrtle, John, Bina, Irvin; Middle row: Lillian, Harris, Orpha, Nat, Kate, Irvin; Front row: Nathan, Ray, Flossie, Leland

November 26, 2025

Did Your Ancestor Cook the First Thanksgiving Dinner?



Orpha's 10th great aunt, Elizabeth Fisher, was the second wife of Stephen Hopkins, a prominent leader at Plymouth Colony. Elizabeth is noted in historical records as one of only four adult women living there in 1621 when the first Thanksgiving was held. She is frequently inferred by historians as the woman who cooked the first Thanksgiving dinner. So yes! Your ancestor more than likely did cook the very first Thanksgiving dinner! 

(Refer to the previous post from November 17, 2020, for more information on your Mayflower ancestors.)