Clayton's Quaker Cook-Book by H. J. Clayton

(15 User reviews)   6275
By Ronald Gonzalez Posted on Dec 25, 2025
In Category - Economics
Clayton, H. J. Clayton, H. J.
English
Okay, so you know those vintage cookbooks that are mostly just a list of ingredients? This is NOT that. I stumbled upon 'Clayton's Quaker Cook-Book' and was instantly charmed. It's a cookbook, yes, but it's also a quiet, fascinating window into a very specific time and place—a Quaker household in the 1880s. The 'mystery' here isn't a whodunit, but a 'how-did-they-live?' The recipes are simple, wholesome, and surprisingly practical, but the real story is in the gentle philosophy woven between instructions for boiled potatoes and apple pudding. It's a surprisingly calming and insightful read that makes you rethink modern cooking.
Share

Read "Clayton's Quaker Cook-Book by H. J. Clayton" Online

This book is available in the public domain. Start reading the digital edition below.

START READING FULL BOOK
Instant Access    Mobile Friendly

Book Preview

A short preview of the book’s content is shown below to give you an idea of its style and themes.

designed, if properly used, to make of them noble men and women. If this book should be a means of instructing or encouraging any person, and thereby prompting him to do good, the object for which it was prepared will have been attained, and a reward will have been given to. THE PUBLISHER. CONTENTS: MY EXPERIENCE IN ENGLAND. CHAPTER I. Called on a Mission--Start for my Field of Labor--Difficulties on the Way--Travelling in Deep Snow--Reach the Platte River--Procure a New Outfit--Exposed to the Cholera--Attacked by the Plague--My Recovery--Arrival at Albany, N.Y.--Take Passage on a Steamer for New York City--Incidents on the Way. CHAPTER II. Set Sail from New York--Arrive in Liverpool--Sent to Labor as a Travelling Elder--Prayers Answered--Called to Preside Over a Conference--Blessed Abundantly with the Holy Spirit--Procure a Hall to Preach in--Mobbed--Effects of my Preaching--Treated with Courtesy--Organize a Branch of the Church in the Town where I was Mobbed--Make Another Appointment to Preach in a Different Town--Send for Help--Speakers Interrupted--Audience Quieted by me Singing a Comic Song--Prejudice Allayed--a Lesson Learned. CHAPTER III. An Amusing Episode--Obtain the Keys of a Church--Notify the People That a Meeting Will be Held in it--A Good Turn Out--My Companion Preaches while I, Disguised as a Police, Guard the Door--Excitement Aroused--Controversy With a Minister--An Anti-"Mormon" Meeting Held--I Attend--Reply to the Ministers' Attempts to Expose "Mormonism"--My Escape from the Building--Saved by an Infidel--Prosperity of the Work--Remarkable Healings--A Prediction Uttered and Fulfilled--My Return Home--Contrast Between the Condition of the Saints now and that of Thirty Years Ago. MY SWISS MISSION. CHAPTER I. Manner in which the Gospel is Preached--My Labors in England--Called to Switzerland--Join my Companion and Take Passage to France--Proceed to Switzerland--Meet Elders in Geneva--Our Fields of Labor Assigned us. CHAPTER II. Arrival in Berne--Its Principal Objects of Interest--Go to Weiningen, Where I Remain to Study German--Sketch From my Journal--Hunted by Mobs--Interviewed by the Mayor. CHAPTER III. Letter from Elder Secrist--Ordered to Zurich--Arrested and Imprisoned in a Filthy Dungeon--Taken to Better Quarters--Released. CHAPTER IV. Progress in Learning to Speak German--Communication From the British Ambassador--Notified to Leave Zurich--Go to Schaffhausen--The Falls of the Rhine--Unable to Obtain Permission to Remain in the Canton--Seek Another Place of Retreat--Lodge with a Family of Saints--Difficulty in Keeping Secluded--Called to Geneva--Return to England. THE FAITH OF THE ZUNIS. Traditions of the Zunis--Three Children Healed--Administer to 406 Indians who were Attacked with the Small-Pox, Most of Whom Recover--Opposed by a Presbyterian Minister and Others--Fate of my Opposer's. SKETCH OF A WELL-SPENT LIFE. CHAPTER I. My Birth and Childhood--Embrace the Gospel--a Vision--Gather with the Saints at Kirtland--Zion's Camp--Manifestations in the Temple--The Saints Driven from Missouri--The Prophet and Patriarch Martyred--Our Journey Westward--Sent on a Mission. CHAPTER II. Arrival in England--Appointed to the Glasgow Conference--My Experience There--Released--Start Home--a Storm at Sea--Case of Miraculous Healing--Arrival in the Valley. THE LORD'S BLESSINGS. CHAPTER I. Called to Australia--My Ignorance--Pres. H. C. Kimball's Prophecy Concerning me--Arrive in Sidney--Adventure with a Dog--Go to Camden with a Fellow-Missionary--Sought for by a Drunken Mob--God Blinds their Eyes and we Escape--At Picton we Preach in the Court-House--The Writing on the Wall--Our Success. CHAPTER II. Maligned by Sectarian Priests--Invitation to Preach at a Distant Town--Means Provided by a Mysterious Personage--Branch of the Church Organized--Apply to the Authorities of the Colony for, and Receive, License and Protection as Ministers of the Gospel--Arrested--My Companion's Defense--Honorably Released--Go to Windsor--Unable to Obtain Lodgings--Directed by a Stranger--Kindly Treated--An Attempt to Poison me--My Companion Shot at by a Ruffian. CHAPTER III. A Chat With a Catholic--Chased by Dogs--An Irishman's Design to Murder me--Remarkable Escape--Adventure with a Wild Bull--"Has he got You?"--My Release from my Mission--Incidents of the Home Journey--A Prophecy and...

This is a limited preview. Download the book to read the full content.

Let's clear something up first: this isn't a novel. Clayton's Quaker Cook-Book is exactly what it says on the tin—a collection of recipes published in 1883. But to dismiss it as just a list of old-timey dishes is to miss the point completely. H.J. Clayton, the chef of the San Francisco Quaker restaurant 'What Cheer House,' compiled this as a guide to the plain, economical, and nourishing food that defined Quaker hospitality.

The Story

There's no plot, but there is a narrative. It's the story of a community's values expressed through food. You'll find recipes for 'Quaker Oats' (of course), simple soups, baked beans, and 'Election Cake.' The instructions are brief, sometimes hilariously vague by today's standards ('bake in a quick oven'). But as you flip through, you get a clear picture: food as sustenance, not show. It's about feeding many people well without waste or extravagance.

Why You Should Read It

I loved this book for its quiet radicalism. In a world obsessed with food trends, it's refreshing to read a philosophy where simplicity, quality ingredients, and mindful preparation are the only goals. The brief introductions to sections feel like getting advice from a very sensible, kind-hearted great-grandparent. It slowed me down and made me appreciate the basics. You won't find truffle oil here, but you might find a better approach to your kitchen.

Final Verdict

Perfect for history lovers, minimalist cooks, or anyone who enjoys primary sources that show how people really lived. If you like the vibe of The Little House on the Prairie cookbooks or are curious about American culinary history before processed food, you'll find this a gem. Don't expect glossy photos; come for the humble pie (recipe included) and stay for the gentle wisdom.



🟢 Open Access

This publication is available for unrestricted use. Distribute this work to help spread literacy.

Thomas Anderson
8 months ago

Very helpful, thanks.

Michael King
1 month ago

Enjoyed every page.

Amanda Thomas
2 months ago

Good quality content.

Richard White
1 year ago

Clear and concise.

Donald Robinson
7 months ago

Finally found time to read this!

5
5 out of 5 (15 User reviews )

Add a Review

Your Rating *
There are no comments for this eBook.
You must log in to post a comment.
Log in


Related eBooks