Anna and Harrison Cookies

Anna, Jane, and President William Henry Harrison
Anna Symmes Harrison
Quote from Anna - "I wish that my husband's friends had left him where he is, happy and contented in retirement."  (after learning of her husband's victory in the 1840 election)
Time of Service - March 4, 1841 - April 4, 1841
Factoids -

• Anna was First Lady for the shortest time in history.  William died just 31 days after becoming President.  Anna, who was ill at the time and recuperating in Ohio, never lived in the White House.
• At age 65, Anna Harrison was the oldest woman to be First Lady.

Bio -
Anna was one of the first First Ladies to receive a formal and extensive education. She and William had 10 children together.  While William was boosting his political career, Anna, an incredible pioneer woman, homeschooled the children and managed their home on 169 acres in the wilderness.  Anna never wanted William to become President.  She was ill when it was time to move to the White House and stayed behind to recover.  She sent her Anna sent her daughter-in-law, Jane Harrison, to act as First Lady.  Sadly, before she could get to Washington, William died after 30 days as President.  
Jane Findlay Irwin Harrison
Time of Service - March 4, 1841 - April 4, 1841
Bio - 
Jane Irwin Harrison married Anna and William's son, William Jr.  They had two children together.  When her husband died, Jane moved in with her in-laws, Anna and William.   Since Anna was ill at the time of the Presidential Inauguration, Jane travelled to Washington with her father-in-law and acted as First Lady. 
Although she was only Acting First Lady for a month, she became popular for her hosting at White House receptions and events.   Only a month after inauguration, President Harrison died.

About William - William Henry Harrison served the shortest presidency in U.S. history, dying with pneumonia only 31 days after his inauguration. He was a hero of the War of 1812 and won the election with the slogan "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too." 

Food Legend has that Harrison Cakes were created during William's presidential campaign in 1840.  The cake became very popular, with recipes circulated in newspapers and between cooks.  These cookies are a modern take on Harrison Cakes.  Makes 3 dozen small cookies.

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 375° F. Prepare cookie sheets by greasing or lining with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, stir together the flour, spices, salt, and baking soda.  Set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in molasses, then add in egg and mix.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing on low speed.
6. With clean hands or a large spoon, make dough balls about 1 & 1/2 tablespoon size. Roll in the granulated sugar and put on the prepared  cookie sheet, spacing apart.
7. Press dough balls with your hand or the bottom of a drinking glass to flatten out on top a little.
8. Bake at 375° F for 8 to 10 minutes.  Cool a few minutes on the cookie sheets, then finish cooling on a wire rack.

Portrait Credits*
Anna Harrison - Unknown Creater, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Jane Harrison - Unidentified artist, Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History; gift of Barbara B. Rose, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
William Henry Harrison - Albert Gallatin Hoit, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons