Manuscript Location

University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Kislak Center for Special Collections - Manuscripts

Place of Origin

England ➔ Kent ➔ Rochester

Date of Composition

1822-1873

Description

Samuel Day was born in 1806 or 1807, in Middlesex, England, to Thomas Day, a hatmaker. In 1822 Samuel Day became an apprentice to pastry cook and confectioner Jonathan Thomas Heap of London, and was indentured for seven years. Day later had his own business, S. Day Pastrycook and Confectioner, Fancy Bread & Biscuit Maker, located in Strood and Rochester, Kent County, England.

This collection comprises records of Samuel Day's career. It includes his contract of indenture to Jonathan Thomas Heap in 1822, with a booklet outlining the rules of apprenticeship for a cook. It also includes a partial notebook, with a table of contents, containing recipes for cakes, cookies, rolls, biscuits, etc., as well as loose recipes, some written on the verso of advertisements. In addition, there are detailed records of clients' orders dating from 1850 to 1873, which list the client's name, the order, cost of ingredients, and quantities. Some of the records show that Day was not only a baker but also a caterer who procured meats and wines for catered events. Some of the catering records include detailed receipts showing the cutlery, dishes, and glasses ordered for a luncheon or party, as well as the pastries and breads provided.