Manuscript Location

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

Place of Origin

England ➔ Derbyshire ➔ Shirland
England ➔ Yorkshire ➔ Sheffield

Date of Composition

1768-1829

Description

Joanna Taylor, born in Derbyshire, England, around 1745, married druggist Ralph Hodgkinson in Shirland, Derbyshire, on December 16, 1767. The couple moved to Sheffield, Yorkshire, where Mr. Hodgkinson owned and operated a druggist's shop from 1775-1792. The Hodgkinsons had two children, Ralph Hodgkinson, Jr., born in 1770, and Ann, born in 1782. Ralph Jr. later managed his father's shop. Ralph and Joanna retired in Derbyshire, where Joanna died, around 1820.  

The book was begun in 1768 by Joanna Hodgkinson, who wrote "J. H. memorandums and [receipts book] 1768" on the front cover; it contains recipes dated to 1829. The book appears to be written in two hands other than Joanna Hodgkinson's; recipes dated after 1820 were likely written by Ralph Jr. Ninety-four numbered pages of recipes are written from the front of the notebook, and twenty additional leaves of recipes are written from the back of the notebook toward the center. Eleven leaves previously laid in the volume are now shelved separately. 

The culinary recipes cover breads, cakes, curries, fish dishes, oyster dishes, meat dishes, jellies, ketchups, pickled foods, pottages, soups, and wines. Recipes include baked calves head, french cutlets; arrowroot, brandy, and peneroyal puddings; clear cakes; bride cake; cowslip, currant, and raisin wines; syllabub; and crawfish soup. There are also some medical formulas.  Some recipes are dated and have attributions. Several are signed R. Hodgkinson and one is signed R. H. junior, referring to Ralph Hodgkinson and his son.  Some of the recipes written from the back are attributed to Mrs. Clay.