Place of Origin

England ➔ Essex

Date of Composition

1784

Description

This 90-page volume, titled on the front cover, was written by John Henniker-Major, second Baron Henniker (1752-1821). Lord Henniker was educated at Eton and St. John's College, Cambridge. He was several times elected to the House of Commons, serving finally as MP for Stamford 1812-1818. Henniker-Major was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and of the Royal Society; his publications included "An Account of Bicknacre Priory, Essex," published in 1793. He married Emily Jones of Duffryn in 1794. The couple had no children, and on his death Henniker-Major was succeeded by his nephew John Minet Henniker.

Henniker's notebook contains culinary and medicinal recipes, menus, household and plate inventories, chronological lists of family events, detailed instructions to servants, particularly concerning travel, and miscellaneous memoranda, including calculations of walking distances at Newton Hall and the timetable for the Norwich coach. Recipes include directions for preparing curried fowl, buttered lobster, and partridge pie, while the menus document elaborate meals designed for numerous guests. A lengthy "Agreement Read to my Coachman" lists that servant's duties and perquisites, both at home and while traveling.