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1996 Allen/Mikesell Family Newsletter

This newsletter was passed out at our annual picnic in Spokane Washington. Also mailed to interested family members.

The "Zoom In" Link has been replaced by the "Slideshow" link. The Slideshow is now where you can zoom in on all photos in the album you're viewing. After you open the Slideshow, use the "Settings" to choose how large you want photos to appear.

1994 Allen/Mikesell Family Newsletter

This newsletter was passed out at our annual picnic in Spokane Washington. Also mailed to interested family members.

The "Zoom In" Link has been replaced by the "Slideshow" link. The Slideshow is now where you can zoom in on all photos in the album you're viewing. After you open the Slideshow, use the "Settings" to choose how large you want photos to appear.

Allen Family Records of Joy May Allen Thomason, p. 2

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ALLEN FAMILY RECORDS OF JOY MAY ALLEN THOMASON

Granddaughter of Conrad S. Allen and Annie Emelia Anderson Allen.

Daughter of Narvel Leslie Allen and Margie Thorp Allen, written 1995

<continued from page 1

Rial Allen and Margaret "Peggy" Evins

Now on to my Great, Great, Great Grandfather. His name is Rial Allen, the 3rd child of Samuel and Nancy Easter Allen. Margaret was between 6 and 7 years his senior. This was not too unusual an occurrence after a great war like the Revolution when marriageable men were not very plentiful, so many women took husbands much younger than themselves. Rial was 15 when he married Margaret on October 21, 1806. In 1808, he bought a place about two miles west of his father's place. There on a hillside he built one of the most pretentious homes of that period. It was so far away from the water that it was decided it would have to be moved down near the river bed. When they moved it, they sawed off the corners of the house so that the witches would not molest them because of the new location. It was a home made of great logs with a window on each side of the fireplace which was the style at that period. It was here their 7 children were born.

Like his father, Rial was a farmer and breeder of beautiful thoroughbred horses. He was well off financially. His wife died in 1843 and when his children made up their minds to go to Missouri as pioneers to that state he sold his home and went with them. He settled in Savannah, Andrew County, Missouri and again none surpassed him in raising high grade cattle and horses. These were his delight, and up to the time of his death in 1865, he possessed the finest stock in his vicinity.

Four of his children had embraced the gospel of Latter-day Saints. It was a source3 of much grief to him that they would desire to go farther west and pioneer and unknown wast when there were such prosperous farms in Missouri. His youngest son Andrew Jackson Allen went with the pioneers to Utah in 1847. Rial offered him $600. if he would return to St. Joseph, Missouri. He did not return. On May 30, 1862 two more of his sons, James and Lewis started on their journey west to join the Saints. He also offered them $600.00 to return to Missouri to live near him but they also chose to remain in the west. At that time $600.00 was a lot of money.

In 1862 he built a fine new home for his daughter and her husband, who were childless, and he lived with them until his death in 1865. He had been a widower for twenty-two years. Rial Allen was not a big man, but stood very straight. He was of medium weight, not very heavy, of medium complexion and was getting grey in 1862. He had blue eyes, was of a kindly disposition, and gentle in his ways. Of his sons, James was most like him in build and disposition.

[Also see Rial Easter Allen history page in Leslie Mikesell Wood's Allen family gedcom]

James Allen and Nancy McDaniel Allen

Now that brings me to my Great, Great Grandfather, James Allen. He was the oldest son of Rial and Margaret Evins Allen.  James grew up nine miles out of Somerset, Kentucky. He fell in love with his cousin Nancy McDaniel Allen, daughter of his father's brother John and Rachael McDaniel Allen of the same place.  She was born in 1809. The parents of both were very concerned about this marriage and in every way tried to dissuade them, but they were determined to wed, and finally the parents gave their consent so they were married January 20, 1831 and moved to Waitsboro, Calloway County, Kentucky. This is a station on the Columbia River and is situated on the Cumberland Pass. It is very beautiful country, the mountains of which are covered with a dense folliage. In the summer wild Honey-suckle vines cover the hills so thick that the perfume is wafted through the breeze all along the highways.

James and Nancy had 8 children, 3 girls and 5 boys. All of the children except Samuel Jackson Allen were born at Waitsboro, Callaway County, Kentucky. Samuel was born at Far West, Missouri. James and his family belonged to the Baptist church. The LDS Elders had taken the gospel to James and his brother Andrew Jackson Allen in 1835. James and Andrew went to Illinois to see the Prophet Josep Smith. A terrible gloom was over the city as the Prophet had been killed and the people were in mourning. They were very disappointed they were never to see him.

James settled in Savannah, Andrew County, Missouri until he was in a financial position to make the trip west. In May 1862 James and Lewis and their families started west. They were happy in the thought they would see their brother Andrew Jackson Allen, whom they had not seen in fifteen years. They had one horse team with them. Lewis had three covered wagons driven by oxen. James had two covered wagons with oxen and a buggy with a span of horses. They had other horses and these were used to drive the cattle. There were about fifteen head of milk cows, two young colts, almost old enough to wean, and provisions for the trip.

The weather was wonderful. When they came to the Mississippi River, they ferried across, they also had their oxen taken to the other side, but the horses and cattle had to swim. They saw antelope quite often but only one large herd of buffalo which they were in hopes of killing one, but were unsuccessful. They traveled weeks before they saw an indian. He was on a horse and came up to them. He wore a large feather in his head piece. He tried to talk to them but it was impossible to understand him. From that time on they saw many Indians. Squaws carrying their babies came up and begged from them. When they arrived at Ft. Laramie, they were able to purchase a quantity of buffalo meat, called dried venison. When they got to colorado, they were met by Francis Marion Allen, James and Nancy's son, who had been working in a mine at Pike's Peak. He joined his family and proceeded west with them.

On the 6th of September 1862 they arrived at their brother, Andrew Jackson Allen's home where they spent the winter. The following spring they settled in Cache Valley where he farmed and raised his family. Cache Valley was so named because on the long trips from Salt Lake to Idaho and the North, they head to have some place to cache provisions that they could replenish their supplies on these long trips. Here they cached supplies out of reach of the Indians and travellers and the valley became known as Cache Valley. Here and through Idaho are a great number of James Allen's descendants.

Soon to be continued on next page, James and Nancy McDaniel Allen's son Samuel Jackson Allen>

[Also see James Allen's history page in Leslie Mikesell Wood's Allen family gedcom]
                          

Our Allen ancestors

Father of Conrad S. Allen. Click on "Slideshow" to enlarge.

Included Conrad S. Allen; Samuel Jackson Allen; James Allen and their families.

The "Zoom In" Link has been replaced by the "Slideshow" link. The Slideshow is now where you can zoom in on all photos in the album you're viewing. After you open the Slideshow, use the "Settings" to choose how large you want photos to appear.

Allen Family Records of Joy May Allen Thomason

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ALLEN FAMILY RECORDS OF JOY MAY ALLEN THOMASON

Granddaughter of Conrad S. Allen and Annie Emelia Anderson Allen.

Daughter of Narvel Leslie Allen and Margie Thorp Allen, written 1995

    Joy with her husband Tommy, 6 May 2006

 

Samuel Allen and Nancy Easter [or Hester]    

This is a brief history of the whereabouts of the Allen family, beginning with my Great, Great, Great Grandfather whose name was Samuel Allen. Little is known about his ancestry except that his parents came from Ireland, there is nothing on his father, but Samuel was born Dec. 30, 1756, to a Miss Warren who was 39 years old at the time. He was an only child. From the records of one of his grandsons, he was born under the Blue Ridge, the side of which is blue in the evening light. He was born in a wild land of game, forests and rushing waters. Here, on the fork of a creek that runs into a foaming river is a cabin that was chinked with red mud. He came into the world a subject of King George the third in that part of the realm known as the Province of North Carolina and was of English and Irish descent.

     He served 15 months in the Revolutionary War, being in two battles. He re-enlisted the year Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington, but his mother was taken very sick and he had to hire a substitute, to serve in his stead.

     He was married in Orange County, North Carolina on August 27, 1782 at the age of 26 to Nancy Easter [marriage index  has "Hester"], her ancestry unknown. He date of birth is unknown but she was born in Chester County, South Carolina. 

     In1803 Samuel Allen went with his family into the valley of Kentucky (nine miles out of what is now Somerset) in a covered wagon pulled by two double yoke of oxen. He came across a little valley encircled by hills with only one entrance. He he decided to settle. As he took his family and wagon down into this valley, around the winding edge of the hill, he had to cut two large trees and fasten them to the back of the wagon and drag them after it to keep it from rolling down the3 hill on the hoofs of his oxen. The valley is very beautiful. The bottom of the valley is very fertile. Fishing Creek runs to the north of the land. The hills contain much slate rock. They are covered with foliage. To the South on the side of the hill he cleared the timber and this land has been in constant cultivation for the past one hundred and thirty years. (*This was written in 1934 by Maud Allen who was actually there.)

     After clearing one acre of land, Samuel built a **home for his family, one of the finest of its kind in the period it was built. It was 1 and 1/2 stories and made of logs. In the top part were two rooms and a fire place. There was a fireplace down stairs and the ground floor was divided into two rooms. The home faces South and is located a short distance from the creek. It stands today (1934) with its narrow staircase and partly decayed wooden floor, a relic of a forgotten past and a sturdy generation who thrived in this little nook of lovely blue grass country.

     Samuel raised thoroughbred horses and prize cattle on his 400 acre Plantation. He and Nancy had five children, 4 boys and one girl, all of whom were born before they moved to the valley, where he lived for 18 years before dying at the age of 85, on 11th of Dec., 1841. Both Samuel and Nancy, who died 13 Feb., 1829, a grandson, Gilmer Allen and 3 of Samuel's slaves were buried on the banks of Fishing Creek ten rods west of his home.

These are the words of Maude Allen on her visit to Samuel's home in 1933. "It was a thrill for me to climb the old rickety stair, caress reverently the old spinning-wheel in the corner, and walk so silently over to the worn threshold with memories of a long forgotten past. After placing fragrant blooms beside the headstones of the six graves, I strolled back, to stand beneath the huge dinner bell that still hung, unharmed through many long years, from a tall old rustic pole. Reaching for the old hemp rope, I pulled ever so gently, and the sudden clear ring of its melodic tones echoed fat across the valley to the hills beyond." In 1966 Maud made a notation, "Since writing the above, the valley Samuel settled and where he lived for 38 years, (it was sold after his death) is no more. The valley was sold to the County of Pulaski who had tried for years to buy it. They thought it would be an ideal spot for a conservation of water, being located so near the Cumberland Gap and the vast Fishing Creek. The Government moved the graves and today a lake covers the plantation."

I am very grateful to Maude Allen for all the research and traveling she did to obtain all this information that she has passed on to me and others interested in the Allen family. If it were not for her we would not have a description of what the plantation was like. It would have been lost to us completely.

Continues on next page, Samuel and Nancy's son Rial Allen>

 

*  "Allen, Seven Generations of Allens", author: Maud Bliss Allen
* * See page from Maud Bliss Allen's book, photos of the home that Samuel built.

[Also see Samuel Allen's history page in Leslie Mikesell Wood's Allen family gedcom.]

 

My Testimony

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~       My Testimony   by Betty Lou Mikesell Erlandson       I learned a lot about Jesus’ love when I was a child of eight years lying in a Catholic hospital bed in Pocatello, Idaho.  Jesus was very much a part of the life of a head nurse named Sister Mary John.  I was beginning to recover from an emergency appendectomy.  My parents were my only visitors.  I was a cross, depressed, lonely and hurting little girl.  My bed was located in a second story room, close to the window and when I was well enough to sit up a little I could look down upon a walled garden.  Never had I seen such loveliness.  And sometimes, making it even more lovely, there would be one or two black and white figures gracefully kneeling in prayer or sitting quietly on a white bench surrounded by colorful roses and white lilies.  I did so long to be down there with them. It looked like Jesus’ garden and I felt that His spirit must be in the sisters there, for their work was helping to care for the patients who were hurting like I was.   One day soon after my emergency surgery a nurse came into my room and I was being cross and pushing away my food.  She was old – very wrinkled and she had a strange high voice like a cracked piccolo. I decided to hurry and eat as she told me to do because she must be a “sister-nurse-witch” and I was afraid of her.  When she was around I did what she wanted just to get rid of her.  Even the other nurses seemed afraid of her.    One day another nurse came in and saw that I was looking down at the garden.  She became quite upset and said in a very stern voice “My dear girl – what are you doing?  You have not right to look down into our garden.  It is a holy place” and she closed the shades, darkening the room and left me alone in those shadows.  I cried – I felt like I must have really sinned badly.  I felt utterly condemned. Was I never again to see that precious garden where Jesus’ statue stood?     When my mother came in before an hour had passed, she asked why the shade was down. I tearfully told her about my wrong – doing.  She hurried out of the room and returned with – guess – who – the wrinkled sister-nurse-witch. My mother said “Now you tell Sister Mary John all about the garden” I did but I knew that she would bawl me out so I kept saying – I’m sorry – I’m sorry.  She listened – the little old old old sister-nurse and suddenly her face screwed all up and I didn’t know whether she was going to yell at me or cry.  Then in her funny voice she said to me. “Betty Lou, that is Jesus’ garden down there and as long as you are here it is your garden also.  He made this earth for all of us and he made it beautiful.” She opened the shades and we looked down – the three of us.  Suddenly I looked at Sister Mary John as she smiled at me and kissed me, she began to look like an angel.  She understood me and she cared.  I was a cross, unhappy and hurting child and she loved me– just like my mother and father loved me – and like Jesus loved me.  I saw Jesus’ love in her wrinkled funny face and I accepted her as she held me in her arms in a wonderful hug.  I even loved that voice of hers that now sounded just right to me.   She had been working to make me well in her own way and I had feared her and couldn’t see beyond what I thought was ugliness.  She had accepted me as a beloved child of God as she did all her patients and I found this idea in my mind – the Lord’s spirit can be in everyone – if they allow it – and it doesn’t matter how old or wrinkled or how young or cross or how hurting and lonely you are.  And you are loved and you can love.   Now I am at a different stage of life and am old old old and wrinkled and have a cracked piccolo voice when I try to sing and want to be accepted where I am now.  I still want to accept others where they are.  That’s where love begins and grows and grows.  Love finds me through the people I reach out for.  I can’t sit back or hide, or ignore people because then that special love can’t find me.

 

TRIPLES with EMMA

         

 

Our Allen family's Scots-Irish Heritage

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OUR SCOTS-IRISH HERITAGE
Written by Leslie Mikesell Wood (1995) with special thanks to Ellen Byrne
for providing computer copies of pension, wills and indenture (1993).

 

    Hugh and Rebecca McDonald/McDaniel

2nd great-grandparents of Conrad Allen. Hugh was listed as McDonald when he joined the Revolution, Rebecca said McDonald on her pension application. In the census records of Pulaski Co., Kentucky, they mostly used McDaniel.]

   After our ancestor Hugh McDonald/McDaniel died, 24 Sept. 1828 at Pulaski County Kentucky, his widow Rebecca applied for and was given a small pension for his service in the war of the America Revolution against the British.

   Out of these pension records comes a tale of courage, love and devotion that should make their descendants very proud.

   Rebecca McDonald then 80 years old, her daughter Rebecca Cain and Samuel Knox age 88, all gave depositions. From them this story emerges:

   Hugh & Samuel served together for 15 months. Hugh as an orderly Sgt., was   in the battle of Sullivan's Island, also marched from there over the mountains to a battle with the Indians. Knox called Hugh "a fine patriot".

   After this 1775/6 enlistment, Rebecca & Hugh were married 22 Sept.1778 in Fairfield District, South Carolina. Shortly after their marriage, Hugh went out as a volunteer on foot with Capt. Nelson's company and was out for several weeks. Then after just one year of marriage, Hugh volunteered again and served as a dragoon or light horseman. while marching toward Camden his regiment was in a skirmish with the British.

   During the American retreat, Hugh & part of the company were captured and made prisoners of war. In Camden they were thrown into prison where they lay for about six weeks with the smallpox. Hugh and some other prisoners were then taken down to Charleston and put on board the "infamous" British prison ships.

   After being attacked by a fever, the sick men were sent on shore to the barracks where young Rebecca came to nurse her husband. After a few weeks he recovered Hugh was again sent back to the prison ships. Even then Rebecca stayed with her husband on the odious ship until they were taken to old Jamestown Virginia. There they were landed and Hugh was freed in a prisoner exchange.

   They were 500 miles from home and Hugh was not yet fully recovered from what was called "ship fever". He was not in good health for several months. The exchange took place in August but the couple did not reach home until the next 10th of May.

    What trials they must have suffered together! Hugh was never paid for the loss of his horse and equipment. Near the end of her life, Rebecca received his small pension of $90 per annum to commence March 1831. In 1841 the government in arrears finally sent her $945 plus $45 for her semi-annual allowance.

   In Hugh McDonald's will he left "my loving wife Rebecca" all his property until her death.

   Children mentioned were Annie Mills; Jane Terpin; Rebecca McDonald; Rachel Allen; Hugh McDonald; Nancy Harris; Andrew McDonald; Martha Kissee and Peggy Roberts.

   John Allen was executor. By 1835 an Indenture involving Hugh's land and signed by his children, has their name changed to "McDaniel". Census records of Pulaski Co. Kentucky mostly spelled the name "McDaniel". One reason names often changed spelling in those days was that so many people could not read or write. [end]

[Documents below show the change of name from McDonald to McDaniel.]

WILL OF HUGH McDONALD  5 Apr 1827

In the name of God Amen, know ye that I, Hugh McDonald of Pulaski Co & State of Kentucky, being of lawful age and possessing sound mind and recollection and for these knowing the mutability of all earthly things proper do make publish and ordain this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all other wills by me heretofore made. In the first place I hereby give unto my Loving Wife- Rebecca McDonald, all the property of which I may be possessed at my decease the real and personal of every description [after] the payment of my debts has taken place which are but a few. As soon after her decease as convenient [it] is my will and wish that my property be divided in the following manner, I hereby give or rather confirm a former gift unto Annie Mills- my oldest dau, of $63 which she took or retained of some money coming to me in South Carolina where she lives.

I hereby give unto Jane Terpin, wf of George Kinder Terpin the sum of $1.00, 12 mos. after the decease of my wife. I hereby give & bequeath unto my ygst dau- Rebecca McDonald, two beds with bedding & bed & a cow & calf, the articles to be chosen by herself from amongst my property & my wife's saddle over & above her equal share of the balance to which my wife die possessed. Third are the children that are to have an equal divided of my property, viz:
Rachel Allen, Hugh McDonald, Nancy Harris, Andrew McDonald, Bathth-[Martha?] Kissee, Peggy Roberts, and the above named Rebecca McDonald which property after my youngest dau has taken her extra part over & above the rest of these 6 persons is to be sold on a credit of 12 mos & the proceeds equally divided amongst them. It is my will & wish that there be no order for the appraisement of my estate until after the death of my wife.

I hereby appoint John Allen, executor of this my last will & testament with full power to transact the business and to make titles to every species of property herein named and bequeathed & In Testimony whereof I have hereunto put my hand & seal this 5th day of April A.D. 1827     Hugh McDonald

Acknowledged in presence: Jno Rousseau, Micajah Vanwinkle.
At a county ct held for Pulaski Co, Somerset, Mon 18 Feb 1829, this instrument of writing was produced to the court--the last will of Hugh McDonald decd    ..Will Fox, Clk
I, Marshall Davenport, Clk of the Pulaski Co Ct, certify that the foregoing instrument consisting of 2 pgs is a true & accurate copy of the will of Hugh McDonald as shown and recorded in Will Bk 2, pg 350. Marshall Davenport, Clerk.  [end]

McDaniel/McDonald Indenture, 24 Oct 1835 

[provided by Ellen Byrne in 1993]

This indenture of bargain, sale and conveyance made and entered into 24 Oct 1835 between John Allen and Rachael his wf, Ephraim Cain and Rebecca his wf, Dabney Harris and Nancy his wf, George H. Turpin and Jane his wf, Thomas Kizzee and Martha his wf, John Roberts and Margaret his wf, John Mills and Ann his wf, Andrew McDaniel, Hugh McDaniel, heirs and legal representatives of Hugh McDaniel, decd by T. Quarles a commissioner of the Pulaski Circuit Ct, apptd for the purpose of the first part and James Short, assignee of Levi Cooper of the 2nd part, witness, that, whereas by a decree of the Pulaski Circuit Court, pronounced at this present term, Oct 1835, in a suit in chancery pending in said court.

Wherein James Short appear in complainant and the heirs and representatives before named of the said Hugh McDaniel, decd, were directed and ordered by said decree to convey to the complainant the tract of land in the bill mentioned' according to certain boundaries therein specified by deed of conveyance with a clause of special warranty and the said heirs and representatives of Hugh McDaniel, decd, having failed to make and execute the conveyance as directed and required by the said decree, the said T. Quarles has been apptd the commissioner of said court to make and execute the conveyance as directed and required by the said decree to the complainant for and in behalf of the said defendants subject to the approval of said court.

Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises and pursuant to said decree, the heirs at law and legal representatives before named of Hugh McDaniel decd by the said T. Quarles commissioner aforesaid, has granted, bargained, and sold and by these presents grants, bargains, sells, aliens and covenants of the premises and pursuant to said decree, the heirs at law and legal representatives before named of Hugh McDaniel, decd by the said T. Quarles, commissioner as aforesaid, has granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents grants, bargains, sells, aliens and conveys unto the said James Short, all that tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in the county of Pulaski & State of Ky on the waters of Coldweather creek, containing 41 acres and bounded as follows:

beginning on a conditional line on Coldweather next to John McCallkister's at a sugartree and poplar, thence south west along said line to a black oak thence no west to a beech at the corner of Zachariah Roy's field, thence no to Coldweather creek, thence down the creek to a sugartree thence no to a buckeye thence so east to the beginning. It being the same tract of land which Hugh McDaniel, decd, obligated himself by bond to convey to Levi Cooper and which obligation was assigned to Samuel Cabbell by said Cooper and by said Cabbell assigned to the complainant and is the same referred to and alluded to the bill of the complainant and decreed to be conveyed by the Pulaski Circuit Ct at the present term.

To have and to hold the said tract of land with its appurtenances, according to the boundaries aforesaid unto the said James Short & his heirs forever. And the heirs at law and legal representatives before named of the said Hugh McDaniel, decd, for themselves by the said T. Quarles as commissioner aforesaid do hereby covenant to warrant and defend the said tract of land against the claim of themselves their heirs but against no other claimant whatever.

In testimony whereof the legal representatives and heirs before named of said Hugh McDaniel, decd, by the said T. Quarles as commissioner aforesaid have hereunto set their names and affixed their seals the date before named. Names: John Mills, Ann Mills, Andrew McDaniel, Hugh McDaniel, John Allen, Rachael Allen, Ephraim Cain, Rebecca Cain, Dabney Harris, Nancy Harris, George K. Turpin, Jane Turpin, Thomas Kizzee, Martha Kizzee, John Roberts, Margaret Roberts.  Att: Will Fox, clk   

[end]

 

Company Casserole

Description:

Recipe from Thelma (Mikesell) Winters, published in her church's cookbook in 1964.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 cups canned milk [evaporated milk]

1/2 cup grated cheese

3 cups cooked macaroni

1 cup cottage cheese

1 cup tuna

1/3 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup green pepper

2 Tablespoons pimento

Paprika


Directions:

Melt butter in saucepan; add flour, salt, pepper and milk to make a smooth sauce.

Remove from heat. Stir in cheese and cottage cheese.

Put macaroni and tuna in a well oiled casserole. Stir in onion, green pepper and

pimento. Pour sauce over top, mixing well.

Sprinkle with a dash of paprika. Bake in 350 degree F. oven for 20-25 minutes.

Norwegian Lefse

Description:

Recipe from Betty (Mikesell) Erlandson, published in her church's cookbook in 1964.
Betty's grandmother Annie Emelia Anderson was born in Norway and Betty's husband Evan's grandparents were born in Norway, so Betty often made Lefsa for family get-togethers. It's very good as a sandwich wrap with cheese and meat. Or with jam or jelly. Roll it up, heat if desired and serve.


Ingredients:

8 or 9 medium potatoes.

3/4 cup shortening

1 cup milk or cream

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup flour for each cup of mashed potatoes.



Directions:

Boil the potatoes and mash well.

Combine with shortening, milk and salt. Mix well and cool.

Add the flour and knead. Take piece of dough the size of a large egg and roll as for pie

crust, rolling as thin as possible. Use plenty of flour on the board. Bake on hot griddle,

or top of wood range. Turn frequently to prevent scorching and bake until golden brown.

When done, place between clean cloths to prevent drying out.

Baked Eggplant

Description:

Recipe from Florence (Allen) Mikesell, published in her church's cookbook in 1964.

Ingredients:

1 medium-size eggplant, pared and cut into 1/2 inch cubes

1 can (about 1 lb.) solid-pack tomatoes

1 medium-size onion, chopped

1/4 lb. thinly sliced mushrooms

1 teaspoon sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon thyme; 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon



Directions:

Parboil eggplant in small amount of water for 6 minutes; drain.

Combine tomatoes, onion, mushrooms, and seasoning in large bowl.

Arrange tomato mixture and eggplant in layers, beginning and ending with tomatoes.

Bake in moderate oven, 350 degrees F. for one hour or until eggplant is tender.

25 calories per serving.

Jolly Gingercakes

Description:

Recipe belonging to Betty (Mikesell) Erlandson, published in her church's cookbook in 1964.


Ingredients:

2/3 cup molasses

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup sour milk (can be soured with vinegar)

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups flour

2 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon cinnamon


Directions:

Combine in sauce pan the molasses, sugar, shortening, ginger and cinnamon. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. cool to lukewarm.

Combine flour and soda. Add to first mixture, alternating with combined milk and eggs, beating well after each addition. Pour into baking cups placed in muffin tins.

Bake in 350F. oven for 15 minutes. When cool, serve with whipped cream or warm butter. Also may be iced with colorful frosting. Makes 16 cupcakes.