Early American Cookery

by Margaret H. Hooker

This amazing piece of folk history was originally published in 1896 amidst a colonial revival frenzy that swept America's eastern seaboard in the 1890s. Determined to preserve American colonial cooking, Margaret Hooker collected quaint and curious recipes and remedies that appear to have come from old and reliable sources ranging from the mid 1700s to the mid 1800s. Her 226 original illustrations of cooking utensils give us a glimpse of colonial America as seen through the eyes of a young artist and teacher of 1896. This fun book includes recipes, beauty secrets, etiquette, candle making, and household hints, written in 18th centry 'long S'-style print.

227 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1981

Reviews

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of these recipes are quite extraordinary. "An ointment to cause Hair to grow" calls for "one Drachm of Ashes of burnt Bees" (pg. 181). And there is nutmeg in everything! But this is not just a "look at how ridiculous and foolish they were back then!" compendium. The turn-of-the-century compiler, Margaret Huntington Hooker, had a real love for these recipes.

I have only two problems with this book. Her decision to use the old-style "s" in printing (which looks something like an f) is unfortunate, since it makes reading really difficult and seems trite as an attempt at period verisimilitude.

The other major error is in the complete lack of documentation and explanations. Where did she get these recipes? What part of the country is each from? When is each from? What is the context? We can never know...unless some scholar of food history tracks down her notes.