Household accounts book for Hardwicke House on the banks of the river Thames in Oxfordshire includes itemized payments to kitchen staff as well as lists of ingredients and the quantities purchased. The household employed two cooks during this period; the accounts are signed by Mary Stent until Christmas quarter-day of 1748 when she received her last payment and then by her replacement by Ann Colet. Under Colet’s management the list of ingredients becomes more detailed. The accounts also list payments for kitchen equipment (ladles, dishes, “wooden ware”, needles, etc.) as well as other items needed by the staff including chamber pots and postage for letters. The accounts were reviewed by Philip Powys Esqr., who settled the accounts with the cooks.

• Author: Stent, Mary.
  
• Title: The cook’s book, Hardwicke House, [1748-1753]

Catalog Record 

LWL Mss Vol. 213

Acquired November 2013