An astonishing discovery in The First Thanksgiving, a painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris has been made: A Pilgrim ancestor of Elliot Silver’s is depicted.
For years the painting remained stored in the 3rd hall room of the Smithsonian, until it was photographed, scanned and added to the Wikipedia article about Thanksgiving.
“Indeed, that’s my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather, Cornelius Eli Sylver from Amsterdam”, says Elliot.
“He was part of the 1621 celebration at the Plymouth Plantation, where the Plymouth settlers held a harvest feast after a successful growing season. I’m proud to be part of a family lineage that goes back to the Pilgrims and the celebration of this great holiday”, added Elliot with a smile.
Despite the 12 generations that have passed since that First Thanksgiving, the resemblance between Cornelius Eli Sylver and Elliot Silver is astounding, as we can see in this composite image! 😀
Cornelius Eli Sylver and Elliot Silver – 12 generations apart
It is not clear, however, if the native American chief in the same painting, picking corn bread from the lady’s tray is related to Monte Cahn.
Actually, this is true. When Elliot’s ancestor toasted the Indians at the first Thanksgiving he raised his glass and said, “Mazel Tov!”