Manuscript Location

New York Public Library, Schwarzman Building - Manuscripts & Archives Division

Place of Origin

England

Date of Composition

1761-ca. 1800

Description

This manuscript is inscribed on the first leaf: Mary Bromehead her book given her by Aunt 1761. However, it contains numerous later additions in at least five hands. The book contains medical recipes from pages 1 through 41 and culinary recipes from pages 97 through 176. A partial index written on a hand-sewn fascicle of four sheets is tipped in at the front.

The culinary recipes are of all sorts, with sweet wines, cakes and little cakes, dessert creams, and pickles particularly well represented. Of special interest are two pasted-in recipes for "English ketchup," which do not derive their flavor from walnuts or mushrooms, as most English ketchup recipes of the time do, but only spices.