Virginia Hams

The James River and centuries old methods divide the Virginia hams prepared in Colonial Williamsburg from those by the Edwards’ Ham Company in Surry, Virginia, which I toured in 2008. While the basic technique of salting and smoking to preserve meat is the same, Edwards is able to make use of modern technologies to replicate the seasonal process.

Cranberry Sauce

Eliza Leslie included a recipe for Cranberry Sauce in 1840 using brown sugar.

Lydia Child's Thanksgiving connection

Although Lydia Maria Child (1802-1880) today is best known for her cookbooks, most people have sung "Over the river, and through the wood" which is taken from her poem "The New-England Boy's Song about Thanksgiving Day" from Flowers for Children, II, 1845.

Researching at State Archives & County Courthouses

 Each state archives contains copies or original records from local courthouses and other government agencies, but the years vary with each state. Be sure to check probate inventories (left) and other records...

Cranberry harvesting (stealing) in 1864 New Jersey

Excerpt from: Edmund Morris. How to get a Farm, and where to find one. NY: 1864.