Darcy on the Hudson – Thanksgiving in the Federal Era by Mary Simonsen

doh-october-28-2012-cover-front-onlyDuring the Federal Era in America, a time corresponding to the Regency Era in England, the biggest holiday of the year was Thanksgiving. At that time, more Americans lived on farms than in cities, and with the grain harvested, the fruit preserved, and the pig butchered, it was time to join with family and friends to celebrate with prayer, song, and dancing the gifts of the harvest.

In 1834, the New Hampshire Patriot made note of the approaching holiday: “A moderate rise in the price of molasses and spices—the increased demand for laces, ribbons, and dancing pumps—the hurrying of tailors, milliners, and mantua makers—frequent and important consultation of young gentlemen—whispering, flushed faces, and anxious looks among young ladies—and lastly, a string of proclamations announcing the 27th of November as a day of Thanksgiving in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont.”*

In my novel, Darcy on the Hudson, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Georgiana, and Charles Bingley travel to Tarrytown in the Hudson River Valley to visit Bingley’s Uncle Richard, who has been living in America for twenty-five years. In addition to the love story of Darcy and Elizabeth, the novel mentions the Thanksgiving traditions of the New York/New England area. Here are three excerpts:

Advanced preparations for the big day: “While sloops sailed north from the port of New York carrying Jamaica Rum, French and cider brandy, molasses, loaf and brown sugars, Hyson-Souchong and Bohea teas, various spices, dried fruits, coffee, and chocolate, barges filled to overflowing with cages containing live poultry and suckling pigs were arriving from Upstate New York at Tarrytown Harbor.” thanksgiving-in-the-federal-era

Preparation for the feast: “In the Bennet kitchen, Mrs. Kraft, Mrs. MacTavish, and Mrs. Wesley were already busy baking pies with every possible fruit filling, as well as Marlborough pies, brimming with apple and lemon custard. The five Bennet daughters, and every female servant at Longbourn, were either assisting in baking something or at Mrs. Bennet’s beck and call, running back and forth from the pantry cupboard, spring house, or woodpile bringing needed ingredients to the bakers or kindling to those tending the fires.”

Finally, the big day arrives: “After Mr. Bennet had finished saying grace and reading his proclamation, he began to carve the turkey, and everyone waited in anticipation as the bird was dismembered and the first slices fell onto the meat platter. Plates were heaped with potatoes, sweet potatoes, plum pudding, and vegetables, and everyone was encouraged to gorge themselves. The second course of cheese, squash pies, grapes, jellies, dried fruits, and nuts was eaten with relish, and everyone admitted that a break was necessary before enjoying the desserts.”

After the guests found the energy to push their chairs away from the table, they adjourned to the parlor for games and dancing. It was an excellent opportunity for young men and women to flirt or to begin a courtship. With family and friends gathered together on this special day, many chose that date as their wedding day. What better day could the happy couple have chosen than a day filled with food, drink, song, dance, and good company!

It wasn’t until the middle of the 19th century that Christmas would supplant Thanksgiving as the biggest holiday in America.

I wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving.

*Our Own Snug Fireside, Images of the New England Home 1760-1860 by Jane C. Nylander, Yale University Press, p. 264.

Darcy on the Hudson is available at Amazon for .99 from November 24 until November 28.

I am also running promotions on my time-travel D&E romances, Another Place in Time and Becoming Elizabeth Darcy,  from December 27 through January 3, 2017 on Amazon Kindle for .99, so mark your calendars.

 

14 comments

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    • Anji on November 24, 2016 at 8:13 am
    • Reply

    Happy Thanksgiving to you Mary, and all of the lovely AV authors from across the pond!

    Thanks also for the special prices on the books you mentione. I’ve got most of them but I think Darcy on the Hudson is one that’s missing. Heading off to Amazon very shortly to take care of that.

    The excerpts you’ve shared give a real flavour of Thanksgiving to this Brit, who’s never experienced what this holiday means to you all. Thanks for sharing them with us.

      • Mary Simonsen on November 24, 2016 at 12:20 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Anji. I’m thankful for all the wonderful readers who enjoy my books.

        • Anji on November 24, 2016 at 5:38 pm
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        Like Sheila, I’ve just checked, and I do actually own all three of these already.

          • Mary Simonsen on November 24, 2016 at 7:59 pm
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          Thank you. 🙂

    • Vesper Meikle on November 24, 2016 at 10:25 am
    • Reply

    Happt Thanksgiving.
    Will the price reduction for Darcy on the Hudson include Amazon Canada?

      • Mary Simonsen on November 24, 2016 at 12:21 pm
      • Reply

      Vesper, If it’s not changed by now, no! Amazon is in charge of that. Happy Thanksgiving.

    • Sheila Majczan on November 24, 2016 at 10:42 am
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    Mary, I did read and enjoy this book and know that I did read one of the others offered at Christmas on sale BUT will have to check as I don’t want to miss out. The mention of the Hudson always reminds me of the times I traveled to NYC and would pass the UN bldg. on my way to a doctor’s on York Avenue. I could view the Hudson River as I rode the bus across town. That was in the years 1999 and 2000.

    Happy Thanksgiving to all and thank you for sharing and for your sale, Mary. Hugs.

      • Sheila Majczan on November 24, 2016 at 10:44 am
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      I checked and I do own all those mentioned. I seem to have read a lot of your books…and know that I have enjoyed them.

        • Mary Simonsen on November 24, 2016 at 12:22 pm
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        I’m not surprised. You are such a great supporter. 🙂

      • Mary Simonsen on November 24, 2016 at 12:22 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Sheila. Going to the United Nations was one of the “big” things I did as a kid even though I lived right across the Hudson in NJ. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.

  1. Happy Thanksgiving, Mary and everyone!!

    I loved the description of the Thanksgiving in Darcy on the Hudson; I absolutely LOVED that book and have been thinking that it’s about time for a re-read!

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

      • Mary Simonsen on November 24, 2016 at 3:23 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Susanne. DOH is one of my favorites. Sometimes I just can’t reread my own work, but DOH is an exception. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.

    • Sarah on November 28, 2016 at 6:55 am
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    Happy Thanksgiving!

    To anyone who hasn’t read Darcy on the Hudson, I highly recommend it. I might have to re-read it myself 🙂

    • Madenna on November 28, 2016 at 5:36 pm
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    Darcy on the Hudson is one of my paperbacks that I read over and over. I love the Americana and history that you surrounded the story in!

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