Call Number:

Ms. Codex 2008

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

1 volume(s)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Wilhelmina Wrixon recipe book, 1872-1924, Ms. Codex 2008, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1872-1924 (inclusive)

Form:

Drawings, Recipes, and Cookbooks

Abstract:

This recipe book was created and compiled from 1872 through 1924 by Wilhelmina (Minnie) Wrixon (1838-1931), likely in both Ireland and England. It contains 67 culinary and household recipes and knitting patterns.

Wilhelmina (Minnie) Wrixon was born on May 18, 1838 in Mallow, County Cork, Ireland to John Nicholas Wrixon, esq. (1976-1872) and Wilhelmina Crofts Wrixon (1802-1879). She had two siblings, John Nicholas Wrixon (1832-1869) and Catherine Elisabeth Wrixon (1834-1924).

By 1858, she was living with her family at 59 Upper Baggot Street in Dublin, Ireland. According to the Royal Commission on the Poorer Classes in Ireland's 1833 "Poor Inquiry Ireland," Upper Baggot Street contained houses "fit for the residence of people of fortune."

Wrixon married William Hone Davis, Captain, 4th Hussars of Ravensdale (1831-1895), on July 9, 1861 in St. Peter's Church in Dublin. There is no evidence that they ever had children.

William Hone Davis died on July 12, 1895 and is buried in Whitechurch Parish Graveyard in Whitechurch, County Dublin, Ireland.

Wrixon died on July 24, 1931 at 46 Sussex Garden, Hyde Park, London, where she lived with her sister who preceded her in death. Probate records indicate that Wrixon left £107,488 to Sir Herbert Lidiard, knight, and John Cecil Davis, retired captain, Royal Navy. At the time of writing in 2023, her estate would have been worth £9,367,977. John Cecil Davis was her nephew, son of Major-General Sir John David Davis, Knight Commander, who was an Irish officer in the British Army who became General Officer Commanding the Southern District.

Sources:

"MARRIAGES." The Belfast Newsletter, 11 July 1861.

"DAVIS, Wilhelmina." England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995, 20 Aug 1931.

This volume contains 67 culinary and household recipes and knitting patterns handwritten and compiled by Wilhelmina (Minnie) Wrixon between February 15, 1872 and June 4, 1924. This volume was probably written in both Ireland and England.

Many of the recipes are attributed to various individuals, including C.E. Cooke (p. 24), K. Blaker (p. 34), Mrs. Wallis (p. 35), Erie D. Wilkinson (p. 41), and B. Cairns (p. 45).

This volume is mostly comprised of culinary and household recipes (p. 1-46), but also includes an incomplete index (p. 69-79), and notes on the Battle of Waterloo, Herculaneum and Pompeii, Rome, Napoleon, and the Infernal Machine (p. 80).

Examples of recipes and patterns found in this volume include various puddings, such as Bombay pudding (p. 2), "to clean white paint" (p. 26), batter for fish (p. 33), Miss Weston's knitted helmet (p. 37), and orphan puppy food (p. 41).