Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

Typed writings, poems, scrapbook clippings, at least two pasted-in manuscript notes from spirits Samuel Fox and Virginia Randall.

One volume recipe book (220 page) with many cake recipes including Ohio, Portugal, Indian, Washington, Clay, Douglass, Kentucky, Carolina, Know-Nothing, Log Cabin, Pork, and several varieties of pound and wedding cakes. Also contains recipes for cookies (jumbles, ginger snaps, kisses), puddings (Jenny Lind, popcorn), and various pastries (crullers, doughnuts, muffins, mince pies, seven recipes for apple dumplings, Minnesota peach pie and preserves, many gingerbread variations, and several for ice cream). Assorted graham based breads and cakes included. Beer recipes include those for root beer, temperance beer, and other varieties. Savory dishes include meat and vegetable pies, dumplings, and instructions for ham curing and sausage making. Tomato dishes include catsup, pickles, chowder, and sauce. Notes for making various fruit wines, preserves, vinegars, and pickles (especially raspberries and currants). Many recipes are denoted "Rural," which is likely a reference to the newspaper Moor's Rural New Yorker (Wayne County, New York). Food preservation tips are mentioned (such as for butter) and some recipes are denoted by substitutions of a key ingredient (ex: shortening) or as "cheap" versions. Household items include discussion of livestock care, several recipes for cologne water, and directions for creating other household materials such as "sement for iron" and "indelible ink." Other practical recipes include those for dyes (some for hair, most for fabric especially cotton) for the entire color spectrum, as well as advice for silk washing and care. Medicinal recipes also abound including salves, liniments, diarrhea cures, numerous rheumatism remedies, and other medicinal preparations such as cohosh. The book contains several inserts (mainly cookie and cake recipes).