It was custom for a state governor to make a public proclamation of thanks. Some of these governors, and even presidents, who proclaimed Thanksgiving were unusual characters. The character really showed, reportedly, in early Massachusetts governor Elbridge Gerry.

In 1810 and 1811, Gerry was elected governor of the new state of Massachusetts. At that time, according one source, many church ministers were bitterly opposed to Thomas Jefferson. Gerry and Jefferson were friends.

Gerry knew his friend could be denounced on Thanksgiving in many churches. Could this be prevented? Well, clever Gerry could try. In Massachusetts, the governor’s Thanksgiving proclamation was read aloud in most church services. This led to an idea. Apparently, for the 1811 Thanksgiving, Gerry wrote a proclamation of several thousand words, requiring perhaps an hour to read.

By the time ministers had read the proclamation, many members had walked out of church. Jefferson was denounced to almost empty buildings.