by Geoff Cobb 
The Thanksgiving tale involving Thomas H. Cullen has been repeated in Brooklyn for generations and amazingly, it’s a true story from the 1890s that was retold at numerous political functions for generations. 130 years ago Brooklyn celebrated Thanksgiving far differently. The highlight of the public celebration was a parade that went through much of the City of Brooklyn, heading along Bedford Avenue through Bedford Stuyvesant and Williamsburg. Thousands of spectators turned…
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Interesting story. Also in NYC, I am guessing pre 1950, children use to go around asking for treats not only on Hal. but also Thanksgiving.
When I was a young kid in the 1950s, my mother told my older siblings to take me around on Thanks. and ask for treats.
Apparently, the tradition was over and the home owners looked at us like we had two heads!