In March of 1881, Abbey Fisher hoped to distribute her award-winning cookbook for sale across the land. Who knows, to get her "Celebrated Jellies, Preserves, Pickles & Sauces" to customers around the West, Mrs. Fisher could have used Wells Fargo & Co.'s Express.
Mrs. Fisher had a sterling reputation in San Francisco as a cook—she won awards in Sacramento and other fairs, and was awarded medals for the "Best Pickles, Sauces, Jellies and Preserves" at the 1880 Mechanics' Institute Fair, a San Francisco organization that promoted local industry. Born a slave, Mrs. Fisher neither read nor wrote, but her fans took down her knowledge and compiled a book.
Mrs. Fisher and her friends hired the Women's Cooperative Printing Office to publish What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking—the first cookbook by an African-American. It reappeared a few years back from Applewood Books.
Some recipes include Jumberlie and several different gumbos. There is a jumble cake that takes about 15 minutes to make, but sticks with you for a while.
Give it a try—bon appétit!
who owned Abbey Fisher in South Carolina and what plantation did she live on? Where was it located?Also,who was she sold to in Mobile-what date was she sold and what was the name of her owner and new home .Was she freed after the Civil war or did she have to buy her freedom Calif.Do you have any photos of her?Thank you