Colonial recipes, from old Virginia and Maryland manors

And it was a Carter of Shirley who gave to the South its Lee : for General Henry Lee, 30 Shirley known as " Light Horse Harry," of Revolutionary fame, married Anne Hill Carter, of Shirley, and their youngest son was Robert Edward Lee. Through the kindness of Mrs. Charles Reid of Baltimore, who was before her marriage the beautiful Donna Carter of Shirley, the daughter of Captain William Fitzhugh Carter of the old Navy, the following old recipe from Shirley is given : CREAMED CHICKEN {Shirley) One pound cold chicken or turkey. Cut as for salad; 2 hard-boiled eggs, 2 ounces butter rubbed in 2 tablespoonfuls of flour. Cover the chicken with milk, say 1 pint; and let it get hot. Stir in the butter and flour, salt, red and black pepper, and 1 glass of sherry. When ready to serve stir in the eggs chopped fine and serve at once, very hot. SHIRLEY Through the kindness of Mrs. Bransford, the present owner of Shirley, the following Shirley 31 old recipes from Shirley and Brandon are given : Before her marriage Mrs. Bransford was the beautiful Alice Carter of Shirley, and the daughter of Robert Carter of Shirley, who, being the oldest son, inherited the grand old place. Robert Carter was an officer in the old Navy, and he married Miss Humphreys of Annapolis. Two beautiful daughters blessed this marriage, Alice and Marion. The latter married Mr. John Oliver of Georgia, an officer in the Navy, and Alice married Mr. Bransford. The wedding was solemnized at Shirley, and was a large, old-fashioned one lasting a week, and there are still those living to whom it is a dear memory. GRAHAM MUFFINS {Shirley) Two cups graham flour, 1 cup white flour, 3 teaspoonfuls of baking powder, 1 cup butter, 1 teaspoonful sugar, 2 teaspoonfuls salt, milk to make a soft batter, 2 eggs. Mrs. Bransford, Shirley. BRANDON SPONGE CAKE (Brandon) Ten eggs, weight of them in sugar, weight of 5 of them in flour, juice and rind of one lemon. Beat eggs separately, then mix, adding sugar and flour, lastly the lemon. Through the courtesy of Mrs. Gulie Harrison, wife of Mr. George Harrison of Brandon, and present mistress of the stately old home of the Harrisons on the James River, this famous old recipe from Brandon is given. Mrs. Harrison says she has seen it only at Brandon, although it is possible others may have it. BREAD CAKE (Brandon) One and one-half pounds of flour, i pound sugar, 9 ounces butter, 3 gills of milk, \ pint yeast, 4 eggs. Work the butter and sugar to- Brandon 33 gether, put the yeast in the flour and -J the butter and sugar and also the milk, and beat it all some time. Set it where it will rise over night. In the morning if well risen add the rest of the butter and sugar and the eggs well beaten. Some desire currants, raisins, and a little nutmeg or mace. Beat all well together, then set to rise again. It must be very light when you put it in to bake. Mrs. Gulie Harrison. WESTOVER