Martha Custis Washington

7/23/2025

Martha and Shrewsbury Cakes

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First Ladies - 1700s

Martha Custis Washington*

President George Washington*

First Lady Martha and President George Washington
First Lady from April 30, 1789 - March 4, 1797
Quote from Martha - "I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition."

Factoid - Martha Washington was the 1st First Lady!

Bio -

At nineteen, Martha was very well educated, unusual for that time period. She married Daniel Custis, a wealthy plantation owner. Ironically, their mansion was named, The White House! Daniel passed away in 1757, leaving 26 year-old Martha a very rich widow with their two surviving children.
Two years later, Martha married George Washington, a Colonel in the Continental Army. With Martha's wealth, they moved to Mount Vernon estate to raise Martha's children. It was George and Martha's home for a lifetime.
Martha was a heroine during the during the American Revolution. For years she lived at Valley Forge and other army camps. Martha organized sewing of uniforms and donations of food, medicine, and supplies. Soldiers named her "Lady Washington" in appreciation.
At the end of war, George became the first President of the United States. Martha, as First Lady, was hostess to a new country and world dignitaries. Martha hosted social gatherings and formal dinners weekly. A favorite dish served was Crab Soup. Guests appreciated her hospitality and attention to both cuisine and politics.

About George - He was the first President of the United States. He led the Continental Army in the American Revolution and helped secure independence from Britain through the Treaty of Paris. Washington also contributed to the creation of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, laying the foundation for the federal government and the Presidency. Although he owned enslaved people for much of his life, he was the only Founding Father president to free all those he held in bondage.

Shrewsbury Cakes

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It is said that George Washington loved Shrewsbury Cakes found in the British cookbook, The Compleat Cook, in 1658. Martha served these at Mount Vernon, their home. The cakes, resembling today's cookies, were named after Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, England. Inspiration Source: Presidential Cookies: Cookie Recipes of the Presidents of the United States by Bev Young
Sidenote: I've been there AND to Mount Vernon!!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons milk
2 & 1/2 cups cake flour, sifted
1 cup dried fruit (cherries, apricots, or currants), chopped

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350° F.
Cream the butter with sugar, then add vanilla, salt, egg, and milk. Blend well.
Add the flour. Mix in the dried fruit.
Chill dough for about an hour.
Use a small cookie scoop to form small rounds.
Place the rounds on a greased cookie sheet and bake for about 12 minutes.

Recipe Card

Portrait Credits*
Martha Washington - National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
George Washington - Gilbert Stuart painting / photo by Mark Gulezian/ National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Abigail Smith Adams

7/4/2025

Abigail and Molasses Raisin Cookies

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First Ladies - 1700s

Abigail Smith Adams*

President John Adams*

Abigail Adams*

First Lady Abigail & President John Adams
First Lady - 1797 - 1801
Quote from Abigail -

"If we are meant to have heroes, statesmen and philosophers, we should have learned (educated) women."

Factoid - Abigail melted down pewter tableware to make bullets for soldiers.
Bio -

Like most girls of her time, Abigail had no formal education. Her father taught her to read and write in their large home library. Her education at home made her a lifetime advocate for women's education.
Abigail married John Adams when she was 19. He was a lawyer, and they lived in Boston. They had five children together, including future President, John Quincy Adams.
Abigail understood politics. When John was based at the 1st Continental Congress and when he was minister to France, he and Abigail wrote letters frequently to each other, giving us an insight into her understanding of politics. Later, throughout John's presidency, Abigail was a strong influence on political issues, particularly for Women's Rights.
At 52 years old, Abigail became First Lady in 1797. Her vocal political thoughts led her to the nickname of "Mrs. President". As First Lady, Abigail lived in the temporary capital of Philadelphia and later in the brand-new White House in Washington. Parts of the White House weren't even completed; Abigail hung her laundry to dry in the East Room.
Abigail was a champion for Women's Rights - way ahead of her time! She wrote this to her husband as he helped to write the Declaration of Independence: "I desire you would remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could."

About John - John Adams was the 2nd President of the United States. He played a key role in the American Revolution and helped draft the Declaration of Independence. As President, he faced tensions with France during the Quasi-War and passed the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts. Adams was also the first President to live in the White House.

Molasses Raisin Cookies

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Molasses raisin cookies and cakes were a favorite at First Lady Abigail Adams's White House during this time period. Molasses and dried fruits were easy to use to sweeten desserts, when sugar was not always available.

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
(Sub: 1 & 1/2 tsp vinegar + milk. Let sit for 10 minutes.)
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 &1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 cup raisins

Steps

Set oven temp. to 350° F. Grease cookie sheets.
Cream shortening and sugar together. Pour in molasses. Stir.
Add egg to mixture. Stir.
Add baking soda to buttermilk in a cup. Stir. Add buttermilk to mixture.
Measure flour, salt, and the 3 spices into sifter. Sift. Put sifted ingredients into mixture. Stir slowly. Stir only till flour disappears. Add raisins to mixture.
Spoon batter onto cookie sheet. Let cookies stay in a mound. Bake at 350° F for 12 minutes.
*If you do not have sour milk, put 1-1/2 teaspoons of vinegar into glass measuring cup. Pour in enough fresh milk to make 1/2 cup. Let sit for 10 minutes.

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Portrait Credits*
Abigail Adams- Oil painting by Benjamin Blyth, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Lithograph by Walker, Miscellaneous Items in High Demand, PPOC, Library of Congress, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
John Adams- John Trumbull painting, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institute; Public domain

1700s - Ladies and Cookies

Martha Custis Washington

Shrewsbury Cakes

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Abigail Smith Adams

Molasses Raisin Cookies

Recipe Card