Fascinating Recipe and Home Remedy Book from Newburyport, Massachusetts From 1821

[MASSACHUSETTS.] Margaret Horton, Manuscript book, ca. 1821-1850s, Newburyport, Massachusetts. 154 pp., 111 of which have text, 6" x 8". Some pages missing, others torn or stained; boards and binding worn.

This handwritten book was used for a variety of purposes across the nineteenth century. From 1821 to 1826, it recorded shipments of goods on board various ships, giving the date and destination, likely in the hand of Horton's father, merchant Nathaniel Horton who also did business with his brother James Horton. Several of the shipments reflect his business of manufacturing shoes and boots. At the other end of the volume are various accounts, signed by customers, likely also in the hand of Nathaniel Horton. Several of the accounts are for "skins," perhaps for use in manufacturing shoes.

Other portions of the book include instructions for knitting and stitching various articles and recipes for various items, including mead; ice cream; various kinds of cakes, pies, puddings, and biscuits; and homemade medicines.

Excerpts
"Recipe for a Cough
"Wine of Antimony90 drops
"Tincture of Blood Root1 oz
"Panegoric1 oz
"Simple Syrup1 oz
"Dose a Teaspoonful 3 times a day"

"Cure for sore throat
"Gargle the throat with a solution of one teaspoonful of cayenne pepper two of fine salt cup of water, Swallow a spoonful once an hour put a poultice of mustard upon the throat keep the bowels open with rhubarb. To make castor oil pleasant boil with an equal quantity of milk sweeten with a little sugar stir it well and let it cool."

"Newbury port 10th Nov 1821 Received of J & H Horton fifty Dollars on account
"$50Ephraim Morrill"

Historical Background
Newburyport is a city at the mouth of the Merrimack River on the coast of Massachusetts, thirty-five miles northeast of Boston. Founded in 1764, it soon had three shipyards and several ferries to cross the Merrimack. The town became a city in 1851 and was a center of fishing, shipping, and shipbuilding in the nineteenth century. It also became prominent for its industry in manufacturing silverware.

Margaret Horton Nott (1822-1895) was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, the daughter of Nathaniel Horton and Sally Bassett Horton. In 1847, she married Gordon Hall Nott (1824-1903), with whom she had at least two daughters. She died in Little Rock, Arkansas, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law.

Nathaniel Horton (1786-1861) was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts. He joined his brother James Horton (d. 1861) in the manufacture of satinet, a finely woven fabric of cotton. He afterward engaged in the manufacture of shoes and boots. He was a Democratic-Republican as a young man but joined the Whig Party at its formation. He served as one of the selectmen of Newburyport for many years and was chairman when President James K. Polk visited the town in 1847. He also served on the school committee and as an alderman when Newburyport became a city. In 1810, he married Sally Bassett (1787-1867), and they had at least seven children.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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