Macon County, Alabama, Household and Recipe Book,
Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of one household and recipe book from Macon County, AL. A variety of writers left entries within the journal, most notably Miss Zoonomia d. Hoxey Carter and Mrs. M. P. Edwards.
A majority of the collection pertains to culinary interests. There are numerous recipes for cakes and icings, "messy" doughnuts, "pickels,"and breads. Some unique entries include a "Japanese Salad, "Rusk," and beer. Most of recipes contain a listing of ingredients and appropriate "method." However, some measurements maybe: unfamiliar (e.g. "saltspoon") or ambigous (e.g. wine glass) to the contemporary chef.
Written also within the book is an elaborate "description of servants duties." Each slave receives his/her own section that outlines specific tasks and times for schedules on which they should be executed. Collectively, all were responsible for: meals, the master's children, other slaves, clean rooms, livestock, firewood, laundry, gardening, and the masters themselves.
Folded between the pages are also several letters of personal correspondence, poetry, prayer. Though one letter is undated, others range from 1842 to 1891.
Dates
- 1842 - 1918
Creator
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from Macon County, Alabama, Household and Recipe Book must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Extent
0.2 Cubic Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Macon County, AL household book keeps: a variety of recipes and outline of slave duties. Entires within the book range from 1858 to 1918. Within the pages of the book, there are also a variety of letters and clipped articles kept in a scrapbook fashion.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by material type.
Acquisition Information
Special Collections, Virginia Tech purchased the Macon County, Alabama, Household and Recipe Book in August 2010.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Macon County, Alabama, Household and Recipe Book was completed in October 2011.
Creator
- Title
- A Guide to the Macon County, Alabama, Household and Recipe Book, 1842-1918
- Subtitle
- A Collection in Special Collections
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Andrea Ledesma, Student Assistant, and Kira A. Dietz, Archivist
- Date
- © Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. All rights reserved.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu