Although many sources cite The Texas Cook Book by the Ladies Association of the First Presbyterian Church of Houston (1883) as the first cookbook published in Texas, Caroline Chase’s slim volume was published a year earlier and thus predates the established title. It was advertised in the May 25th edition of the Brenham Weekly Banner and had successful local circulation based on Chase’s reputation as a marvelous hostess and cook. Mrs. Chase states that her many friends prevailed on her to publish the receipts she had been using for over twenty-five years. Folksiness and firm assurance characterize her writing, and the recipes included are primarily for condiments, drinks, baked goods including over three dozen different cakes, vegetables and soups. In addition to a few exotic concoctions such as Cucumber Catsup (contains no tomatoes) and Biscuits for Dyspeptics, the book contains a modest number of practical household mixtures such as onion water to keep flies from damaging picture frames.

This edition of The Cider Maker’s Manual was reproduced by permission from the volume in the collection of the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachusetts. Founded in 1812 by Isaiah Thomas, a Revolutionary War patriot and successful printer and publisher, the Society is a research library documenting the life of Americans from the colonial era through 1876. The Society collects, preserves, and makes available as complete a record as possible of the printed materials from the early American experience. The cookbook collection includes approximately 1,100 volumes.