Mary Had A Little Lamb, Thanksgiving, And Edgar Allan Poe

How odd to associate these, but oddly true.

Poe was probably the most morbid writer who ever wrote, although a satirist. He had the ear of the most celebrated editor of that time, Sarah Hale, of “Godey’s Ladies Book.” Under her guidance, a self-educated woman, serving as editor for 40 years, her magazine would become what is now called an “influencer.” She sought the most gifted of writers including Edgar Allan Poe and published many of his short stories including something to never read by yourself on a dark, rainy night, “The Cask of Amontillado,” a story of utmost revenger.

Her fame began when she wrote a children’s poem that became a song that became a standard for generations, “Mary Had A Little Lamb” (Did you just sing the first line to yourself?) Her talent was recognized by the publisher of “Godey’s”. Under her, subscriptions increased from 40 to 150,000.

She campaigned to raise money to finish the Bunker Hill Monument, to preserve Mount Vernon, to have Christmas trees indoors, to found Vassar College, but maybe her greatest campaign was to have Thanksgiving recognized as a national holiday. Abraham Lincoln did just that in 1863 after letters from Hale convinced the Legislature. She had failed to convince four previous presidents.

Now 400 years later, the Pilgrims would never recognize what Thanksgiving has become, homemade crescent rolls from a can, sweet potato casserole with Splenda, stuffing mix in a bag, and hours of football on tv.

Just the same, have a happy Thanksgiving Jasper County.