Place of Origin

England ➔ Bristol

Date of Composition

likely 1766-1774, but possibly extending into the early 19th century

Description

This recipe book of 92 leaves may have been assembled at the behest of a Doctor Knottesford, whose name appears on the rear pastedown and on the title page of the volume, or he may have been a later owner. The book was compiled by a number of housewives, presumably of the same family, in Bristol, England. It was seems to have been written between 1766 and 1774, but it is possible that the project continued into the early years of the 19th century. The volume contains culinary, medical, cosmetic, and household recipes, as well as cures for horses and sheep.

The culinary recipes include "To ragoo a breast of veal," "To dress cold fowl or pigeon," "A way to fricasey tripe," and "To make black puddings." There are also recipes for lamprey--called "lamperns" in the text--which were much esteemed at the time. Instructions for various desserts and cakes are also given, including cheesecake, baked apple pudding, syllabubs, plum cake, seed cake, mince pie, and gingerbread. There are also recipes for wines, such as currant, cowslip, raisin, and elderflower, as well as a recipe for mead. Also included is a recipe for "Catchup to keep seven years." Calling for strong still beer, red wine, anchovies, shallots, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger, this recipe concludes, "The next day bottle it for use, it will carry to the East Indies," possibly reflecting Bristol's position as an important trade and merchant city.

Many of the medical recipes are attributed. Household recipes include varnish; wax for rubbing mahogany; golden lacquer; cement for glass, china, and marble; and black dye. One recipe is titled "How to clean rooms."

Some clipped recipes are mounted on leaves at the back of the book. Laid in are recipes for varnish and breast salve, the latter wrapped in a folded envelope with the return address of "Mrs. Hawthorn, Temple Courts, Herefordshire." Also laid in is a small notebook in blue wrappers, with the manuscript title "Memorandums" on the front wrapper. It contains medical and household recipes as well as recipes for curry powder and and meat pickle.