The following 7 Table-Setting Steps will walk you through the basics of re-creating period ambiance through both English and Native Wampanoag place settings. These steps are taken from the complete living-history how-to guide, The American Patriot’s Treasury of Historical Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas: Old-World Table Settings, Recipes, Games, Hand Crafts, and Party Ideas for Cultural Enrichment and Pleasure.

This proper English setting includes a pewter mug, breadplate, spoon, and salt dip. The wood bowl could be replaced by a medium size wood plate. The knife should be straight-edged and pointed. Includes a white linen serviette.

Step 1: Make your own table cover and serviettes

The most authentic fabric choice for the 1621 table is linen, with white being far and away the most popular color choice of the time period. Natural colors were also used, however, as was cotton fabric. Whatever your preference, buy enough fabric to cover your table, and calculate yardage for serviettes based on width of fabric and size desired (there was no standard: serviettes are described as being “bath towel-sized,” and could have been either rectangular or square). Cut all pieces out on the grain, then hand finish the edges with cotton thread for the greatest authenticity, or machine finish all edges. For more details on making serviettes see:http://www.letsplayhistory.org/3squaresaday/carries-chat/serviette/

One way to use the serviette

Step 2: Buy your wood bowls or plates

Wood bowls and plates are fairly easy to find new in today’s market. Simply search online using “Wood Plates” as your search terms, and you’ll have plenty of providers to choose from. In the LPH guide you will find resources for learning how to turn your own plates, or for buying unfinished plates and finishing them in period authentic fashion. Shown here is a set of plates that have a more modern wide brim. A narrow brim would increase the style authenticity for the time period.

Modern wood plates with wide brim

Step 3: Shop for metal mugs

Reproduction pewter mugs are the hardest table item to find, whether new or used. Even finding reasonably priced steel, tin, or aluminum mugs can prove a challenge. Try shopping second hand stores, eBay, outdoor outfitters, and flea markets. To relieve stress, be resigned to having mismatched, less-authentic mugs the first year, and go with whatever you can find. Then join in the wholesale purchasing co-op at LetsPlayHistory.org for new, lead-free sets of 8 reproduction mugs (and other pewter items).

Three inauthentic mug choices shown on the right

Step 4: Omit your forks, and add proper spoons and knives

As of 1621, the English still thought forks sinfully effeminate, and they wouldn’t use them. Instead, their pointed, straight-edge knives were used like the fork is used today. Additionally, the pointed knife tip was necessary for dipping salt. Pewter spoons are another item very difficult to find, but authentic alternatives would include hand carved wood or bone spoons.

Wooden spoons prove fun to use on Thanksgiving!

Step 5: Add a salt dip

Pewter salt dips are the easiest of the pewter items to find, at least in used condition. They measured roughly 3 to 4-inches across the mouth, and were set out in the center of the table to be used communally. A small wood bowl of similar dimensions also fits the bill for period authenticity, though it wouldn’t have been as common among the middle class Mayflower pilgrims.

Pewter salt dips were used communally

Step 6: Create an optional Wampanoag place setting

If you would like to stir everyone’s delight, add a plausible Wampanoag place setting to your Thanksgiving table. Primitive hand carved bowls and spoons are an authentic option. Shown here is an inverted turtle shell, which is a favorite in theory, however be aware that real turtle shells pose certain health risks. For imitation turtle shells join the wholesale purchasing co-op at LetsPlayHistory.org. As for Native knives, flint knives are the only authentic choice, as in 1621 the Native Peoples were not yet using steel objects. Many tribes across America still make flint knives, and a number of craftsmen sell on eBay. Purchasing information, as well as resources for learning how to make your own flint knives, are found in the LPH guide.

Plausible Wampanoag place setting

Step 7: Add optional decorations, music, prayers

If you really want to “wow” your guests, enhance the old-world ambiance with hand made period décor items, traditional English or Wampanoag music, and offer Native prayers, as well as English prayers spoken in the archaic King James vernacular (a potentially humorous endeavor, indeed!). You could also introduce a period card game, or other activity while you wait for the turkey to cook. The possibilities are endless. See the LPH guide for many more early New England suggestions.

Milkweed is an indigenous fall bloomer (silk specimen)

This feasible, though less than historically perfect table setting still provides an enchanting old-world look and feel

Article and Photos by Carrie Franzwa, LetsPlayHistory.org, Nov. 2008

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Carrie Franzwa, America’s “Angel of Thanksgiving Past,” is an advocate for restoring American history to the Thanksgiving holiday, and is the author of this nation’s first Thanksgiving living-history how-to book, “The American Patriot’s Treasury of Historical Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas: Old World Table Settings, Recipes, Games, Hand Crafts, and Party Ideas for Cultural Enrichment and Pleasure.” She and her husband, David Franzwa, are also the co-founders of LetsPlayHistory.org, an online community for history enthusiasts, reenactors and educators in America.

1. Make and Use English Serviettes – $20. It is fun and easy to use English serviette napkins! They were the near bath towel-sized table napkins of the time period, and were used by folding them twice lengthwise and draping them over the shoulder opposite the dominant hand. Complete details, including materials and finishing instructions, are provided in the LPH Thanksgiving guide, and also for free in this LPH blog post (see picture here): http://www.letsplayhistory.org/3squaresaday/carries-chat/serviette/ .

2. Omit Forks, Use Only Pointed Knives – $4. In 1620-21, neither the Native Wampanoag or the Europeans used forks to eat. In both cultures a pointed knife was used like the fork is used today. Native knives were made of stone, and English knives were made of straight-edge steel. Our local dollar store carries wood-handled pointed dinner knives 2 for $1. See what your local Dollar Store carries. Even though serrated, the Dollar Store knives provide an inexpensive prop for time travel starters! See period table settings:  http://www.letsplayhistory.org/3squaresaday/press-room/thanksgiving-pics-07-08/

3. Omit Salt & Pepper Shakers, Add a Salt Dip – $5. While the Native Wampanoag did not use salt and pepper in their cooking, the English did bring these condiments with them on the Mayflower. The English did not, however, put pepper out at the table, while the salt was set out in a central, open, small wood or pewter bowl called a “salt dip.” Diners used their pointed knife tips to scoop up a small amount of salt from the communal dip, and then would tap the back of the knife blade with their index finger to slowly knock the salt onto their food. Don’t forget to explain this up front to your hungry guests! Even if they don’t need the salt, curiosity will have them all wanting to experience dipping for salt in 1621-style!

4. Give Thanks English-Style – $0. The English in this time period prayed with eyes open and heaven-ward, and hands raised palms up. They also spoke in King James vernacular, using their “thee’s, thou’s and thine’s.” This can prove very humerous! Also, “God” was pronounced “Gott” in this time period.

5. Give Thanks Native Wampanoag-Style – $4. The Native Wampanoag had been giving thanks with fall maize offerings to the Great Spirit for centuries prior to the English 1621 feast. Colorful maize runs about $4 per three ears, which is enough for an offering. Simply burn the dried ears of maize completely in a fire before preparing the day’s food, and sing short, rhythmic, made-up songs of thanks-giving while it burns. Does maize corn pop? You will have to try popping it to find out!

6. Play (English) Card Games with a 1567 French Deck – $8. Even if you only play modern card games, why not play with a reproduction 1567 French deck? This reproduction deck is very typical of what was readily available to English royalty and commoners alike in the early 17^th century. The deck runs about $5 plus shipping, and is available through HistoricGames.com. You can also add Old-English phrases, insults and threats to the fun of playing card games. For complete instructions on over a dozen period-authentic Native and English games, including two authentic English card games, get your copy of the LPH Thanksgiving Guide . Never suffer a boring Thanksgiving again!

7. Make a Native Wampanoag Head Dress (or Two) – $8. Show kind respect to our Native Peoples by accurately depicting the Wampanoag tribes. The head dresses of the Wampanoags used only a small number of feathers, and they were always pointed down, or to the side; never up like the stereotyped plains Indians. Simply take a strip of leather or faux leather, and close the back side to size with sinew whip stitches, or with a tie / knot (sinew details in the guide). Insert or otherwise apply one or two medium to large bird feathers in the back, pointed down or to the side. And don’t forget: the Wampanoag word for “hello” is “kway,” not “how.” More Wampanoag words, phrases, customs, music resources and clothing details are available in The American Patriot’s Treasury of Historical Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas.

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By Carrie Franzwa, LetsPlayHistory.org, copyright 2008