Manuscript Location

Folger Shakespeare Library, Manuscripts

Place of Origin

England

Date of Composition

ca. 1693-1700, with 19th century additions

Description

This book is in two parts. The first part of the book is inscribed "Jane Staveley Her Receipt Book 1693" on the second leaf and contains 67 numbered pages of recipes beginning on the recto of the third leaf. This section appears to be in the hand of the inscriber through page 14, in a second hand from page 15 to page 56, and in two or more other hands from page 57 to the end. The recipes are wide ranging, encompassing meat and fish dishes, pies and puddings, pickles, sweet dishes, cakes, fruit preserves, and fruit, flower, and herb wines. All of the recipes are characteristic of the late seventeenth century, including the recipe for "Coffee Cakes" (that is, cakes to be eaten with coffee, then a new thing) that appears on page 63. (This recipe is very similar to the recipe for "Coffee Bisckets" written in "Choise Receipts, Part One, 1680," a manuscript cookbook in the possession of the New York Academy of Medicine.)  There are several uncommon recipes, including "Jumballs of chocalett" (page 8); "Browne Bread Puding" (page 13); and "Portugall cakes" made with pounded almonds and baked freestanding rather than in individual pans, as was typical (page 20). 

The second part of the book is written from the back cover of the notebook toward the center and upside-down in relation to the first part. It is inscribed "Henrietta Elizabeth Harrison. 1822." and contains a 9-page index, followed by 42 numbered pages of recipes. The recipes on pages 1 through 30 appear to be in the hand of the inscriber, the remaining recipes in several other hands. The date 1857 appears on page 37, and the recipes at the end may be somewhat later still. The recipes in this section include soups, ham cures, fish sauces, pickles, lemonade, noyau, and milk punch.

Both sections include some household and medical recipes. A folder holds loose papers that were removed from the volume.