Commonplace book

Item — Box: 15, Folder: 10

Commonplace book, Martha Jane Coleman Banks, circa 1848-1865

Scope and Contents

From the Collection: The Martha Jane Coleman Banks commonplace book contains diary entries, miscellaneous writings (some appear to be school related), newspaper clippings, recipes, and poems. There is also a typed transcription of the book, which was perhaps provided by the donor.

The commonplace book includes recipes for various types of wines, such as muscadine, scupadine [scuppernong], and blackberry; cured ham; fish sauce; various puddings; yeast; rolls; various jellies; muffins, breads, biscuits, and wafers; dried tomatoes; rum punch; chicken salad; chow chow; gumbo soup; potato custard; croquettes of rice; vinegar; soft gingerbread; and others. She also has recipes for various cakes, including cream cakes and boiled cake; Boston Kisses, which are simply butter and sugar; Floating Island, which is similar to a pudding; Lady Cakes; Mountain Cake; Silver Cake, Flannel Cake, and others. There are also clippings about cooking and general housekeeping.

Dates

Circa 1848-1865

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.