Colonists in Jamestown, Virginia held a thanksgiving prayer
service after English supply ships arrived with food. The harsh
winter of 1609-1610 generated a famine that decimated the
settlers. The group was reduced from 490 members to only 60
survivors who were forced to dire measures such as eating their
horses. The colonial celebration which followed the arrival of
the ships with food has also been considered the "first
Thanksgiving." Remains in Jamestown, Virginia.