Martha Custis Washington

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.

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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:

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

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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