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During the 18th and 19th centuries, many cooks treasured a small handwritten recipe (sometimes called a "receipt") book which contained their own "tried and true" recipe collection. These deeply personal family heirlooms were often family collections handed down over the years. Sometimes, as a cook's recipes were her reputation, these were kept secret.
This small signed book was Mary Mesner's personal (possibly secret) cook book. Measuring only 3"x5" it was small enough to fit in her apron pocket. Women had to know how to cook and bake everything, as cookbooks were fairly rare in the 1880's. They'd develop recipes, learn from others, and keep their treasured 'receipts' safe.
This sweet little book is written and signed in a beautiful hand: Mary A. Mesner, No 283 Market St Hartford Connecticut.
Mary wrote 40 lovely handwritten pages, adding a few newspaper recipes pasted on inside front and back. One page had 1/2 of the page neatly cut out.
There are recipes for cakes, pies and pie crust, candy, puddings, cookies and some relishes such as Chow Chow. There is a also Clam Chowder and Veal Pie. And of course..Indian Pudding! One cake recipe is labeled: "Mrs. Sharms Cake".
Note that these recipes contain ingredients only, as any cook knew the proper method to make and bake a cake or cookies.
I've photographed a few of these pages for your enjoyment.
Name Listed in Public Record:
Rochester New York City Public Library City Records list: "1876-1889 Mary married 1883 Adwen Wm. Clara Mary, Sister from city" 1882.See Photo
Collection 10
