Turtle frolic
An interesting thread recently on a listserve on early American history involved "turtle frolics." These were apparently feasts which occurred in southern port cities when sea turtles were brought into port alive "towed astern of ships." One writer reports that Prince Hall served turtle feasts in Boston from turtle shells "carried on the shoulders of two black men."
Prince Hall is widely regarded as the founder of black Freemasonry. He was also an early abolitionist and operated a school for black children in his home.
Who could imagine that the arrival of sea turtles would be cause for such rejoicing? Apparently, turtle stew and soup were once an important part of the diet of native peoples and early colonists. One listserve writer noted that snapping turtle soup continues to be served at events sponsored by Delaware Historic Foodways. A big part of the fun is picking the turtle meat from cooked turtles - a la lobster.
Our own local sea turtle, the diamondback terrapin, was once regarded as a delicacy and nearly harvested to extinction in order to provide terrapin stew. As with Prince Hall's feasts, diamondback terrapin was frequently served in the shell, although a special terrapin plate was devised for serving the delicacy. Gen Winfield Scott described terrapin as the "flesh that is honored at feasts of the rich and the brave." Presumably, General Scott included himself in the latter category.
Today, terrapins nest at Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Queens (just one subway stop from JFK airport on the fabled A train). They can ferequently be seen nesting on or near the path on the refuge during June and July. Predation from raccoons poses a serious threat to the Jamaica Bay population and as a result volunteers place wire cages over known nests. It's great funs to observe these turtles nesting. Offshore, they poke their heads above the water as they scan the beach to assure that it's safe to come ashore. The turtles dig the nest with their back feet, lay the eggs and then cover - again with the back feet. A nesting turtle can be spooked when digging the nest but will remain - even if humans approach - once she begins laying.
Additional threats to terrapin populations are road kills, pollution and crab traps. Check out www.neoterrapin.com for more information on our local sea turtle.
Prince Hall is widely regarded as the founder of black Freemasonry. He was also an early abolitionist and operated a school for black children in his home.
Who could imagine that the arrival of sea turtles would be cause for such rejoicing? Apparently, turtle stew and soup were once an important part of the diet of native peoples and early colonists. One listserve writer noted that snapping turtle soup continues to be served at events sponsored by Delaware Historic Foodways. A big part of the fun is picking the turtle meat from cooked turtles - a la lobster.
Our own local sea turtle, the diamondback terrapin, was once regarded as a delicacy and nearly harvested to extinction in order to provide terrapin stew. As with Prince Hall's feasts, diamondback terrapin was frequently served in the shell, although a special terrapin plate was devised for serving the delicacy. Gen Winfield Scott described terrapin as the "flesh that is honored at feasts of the rich and the brave." Presumably, General Scott included himself in the latter category.
Today, terrapins nest at Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Queens (just one subway stop from JFK airport on the fabled A train). They can ferequently be seen nesting on or near the path on the refuge during June and July. Predation from raccoons poses a serious threat to the Jamaica Bay population and as a result volunteers place wire cages over known nests. It's great funs to observe these turtles nesting. Offshore, they poke their heads above the water as they scan the beach to assure that it's safe to come ashore. The turtles dig the nest with their back feet, lay the eggs and then cover - again with the back feet. A nesting turtle can be spooked when digging the nest but will remain - even if humans approach - once she begins laying.
Additional threats to terrapin populations are road kills, pollution and crab traps. Check out www.neoterrapin.com for more information on our local sea turtle.
posted by Whistling Dixie at 4:03 AM
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