Place of Origin

England
United States

Date of Composition

1690-1830

Description

This collection was donated to the library by the American Institute of Wine and Food. It comprises the following four volumes:

Susanna Pitts Recipe Book, ca.1690-1740: This English cookbook was begun by Susanna Pitts, who was the mother of fourteen children. The book was first passed down to one of her daughters, also named Susanna, whose husband, Reverend Henry Homer, Rector of Birdingbury, Warwickshire, took notes in it. The book eventually came into the possession of the third generation of the family of Thomas Pitts, the sixth son of the elder Susanna Pitts. The book contains hundreds of recipes for savory dishes, sweet dishes, nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks, and home medicines. Comprising about 450 pages, this quarto volume is finely written on old ruled handmade paper and bound in vellum.

Recipe book, ca.1700-1750: In addition to recipes for foods, drinks, and home medicines, this book includes notes on household management, a page of verse, and advice for married women on virtuous living.

Recipe book, ca.1794: This book includes recipes for savory dishes, sweet dishes, nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks, and home medicines, as well as notes on household management. There is an alphabetized index in the front of the volume. Some recipes are transcribed from the Chester Chronicle, a weekly newspaper established by 1775.

Mrs. S. Morgan's recipe book, ca.1830: This book includes recipes for savory dishes, sweet dishes, and drinks, as well as notes on household management.