Please Pass the Jackrabbit

by Cecile Page Vargo

       The first citizens of the newly created state of California were probably too busy to celebrate holidays, particularly those working hard in the mining camps hoping to become wealthy. Governor Peter Burnett didn't let that stop him from declaring one, however. Amongst his many great duties, he set aside November 30 of 1850 as the legal holiday for Thanksgiving. All official business was stopped, and at least those from New England, who had memories of their loved ones and days of thanks in the past, felt obliged to observe, if the news got around to them in time for them to do so.

Immigrants from the southern and middle United States, and from Europe thought the holiday purely Puritanical and didn't cotton much to the idea. In their minds the whole thing was ridiculous and many considered it hypocrisy. Still, the New Englanders showed determination to follow Governor Burnett's proclamation and many others decided to join in when they realized the holiday mainly meant eating and drinking all they wanted to.

"Yankee" Traditions

Reportedly, there were about 50 Thanksgiving celebrations that first year. The old-timers talked of "Yankees" throwing down their picks and shovels and having a good old time. The traditional turkey was rather scarce, unless someone lived where they could find and kill a wild bird. For the most part even a little fresh beef was satisfactory for a day of thanks. If one was lucky enough to kill a deer and serve it, that was considered a fine luxury. In most miner's cabins, however, jackrabbit took the place of honor as the main entrée. Some, like Alfred T. Jackson of Litchfield county, Connecticut, enjoyed quail stew and dried apple pie. Although Alfred, apparently missed Governor Burnett's official holiday date announcement, and celebrated his holiday December 1st.  

The Governor's Feast

Of all the celebrations that first year, Sacramento probably had the grandest. As soon as they heard Governor Burnet's announcement, the town population of men from New England banded together to form The Sons of New England. They put together plans for a banquet to be held in the dining room of the Columbia Hotel. The walls were adorned with bunting. Flags and shields containing the names of each of the states formed a frieze. Everyone was invited to the feast, even if they weren't New Englanders. Governor Burnett, himself, even showed up, just in from a funeral from Monterey. Mr. K. M. Berry was presided over the event, Rev. Benton blessed the food, and Mr. W. Cartwright made the toast. Forty different dishes, including the traditional turkey and pumpkin pie, and eight different wines, were served. Many dishes were as elegant as any served in the best restaurants around the world. The feast and festivities went on until midnight .

Throughout California, in the large cities like San Francisco, San Jose and Monterey, at least the fortunate who had families with them, celebrated California's first Thanksgiving. Where they could obtain it and afford the high price, they had turkey, of course. The businesses in these cities really didn't close for the most part, but no one showed a lot of interest in shopping that day. Some churches even held small Thanksgiving services.

Although the California Thanksgiving celebrations were few and far between in 1850, as more women and children joined the population of mainly men, the holiday became a tradition that is widely enjoyed by most everyone today. While the New Englanders in the Eastern parts of the United States may have always mimicked their Pilgrim forefathers, the holiday was not official in the United States as a whole until President Abraham Lincoln declared it as a national holiday in 1863.

Should you decide to do something a little more "early California traditional" this year for your Thanksgiving, we include the following recipe for you:

Jackrabbit Stew

• 1 fat young jackrabbit

• 3/4 cup cooking oil

• 2 cups corn hominy

• 2 sweet peppers, cut in half and seeded

• 2 medium onions

• 6 carrots, cut up

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 1/2 tablespoon chili powder

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 4 teaspoons salt

Cut jackrabbit up into serving size pieces.

Pour the oil into a large kettle or Dutch oven and heat until the oil is smoking slightly.

Put in the jackrabbit pieces and brown on all sides.

Now drain off the extra oil.

Add a little water to the kettle and simmer for two hours

Serves 3-4

Bibliography 

"The First Thanksgiving Day Celebration In California"

The San Francisco Call, Sunday, November 22, 1896 , p. 17

Reprinted in Holy Trinity Cathedral LIFE, Vol.4, No. 3, November 1996

http://www.holy-trinity.org

Today in History

Thanksgiving Day

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/nov25.html

Zuni Jackrabbit Stew

http://www.recipezaar.com

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