Esther Allen Howland facts for kids

Esther Allen Howland (born 1801, died 1860) was an American writer from Massachusetts. She wrote a famous cookbook called The New England Economical Housekeeper, and Family Receipt Book. This book was more than just recipes. It also had tips for saving money and even some medical advice. Her husband first published it in 1844. The book became very popular and was printed for many years, even into the 1870s.

About Esther Howland

Esther Allen Howland was born on July 13, 1801. Her birthplace was Plymouth, Massachusetts. Her parents were William and Betsey Barnes Allen.

Family Life

In 1823, Esther married Southworth Allen Howland. He was born in 1800 and died in 1882. Southworth became a publisher. He also ran a large book and stationery store. This store was located in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Esther and Southworth had four children who lived to adulthood. One of their children was Esther Allen Howland (1828–1904). She became famous for bringing European-style greeting cards to America. She especially helped make Valentine's Day cards popular. She built a very successful business doing this. Esther Howland, the writer, passed away in Worcester on April 14, 1860.

Her Famous Cookbook

Esther Howland's book was called The New England Economical Housekeeper, and Family Receipt Book. It was a huge hit right away. In its first fifteen weeks in 1844, 1500 copies were sold.

Book Editions and Changes

Esther added about twenty new recipes to the book. This made it grow from 88 pages to 108 pages in the 1845 edition. The book was printed every year. In 1849, its title changed. It became The American Economical Housekeeper, and Family Receipt Book.

Her husband, S. A. Howland, stopped publishing the book after ten years. However, other companies had already started printing copies. They began as early as 1845 in cities like Cincinnati, Boston, and Rochester. The book continued to be printed. It used either of its titles through the 1870s. Shortly after Esther Howland died, a new version of her book came out. It was still under her name. This new version was called Practical Cook Book and Economical Housekeeper's Guide.

What Was Inside the Book?

The recipes in this regional cookbook included many New England favorites. You could find recipes for chowder and salt cod. There were also instructions for Johnny-Cake and a special Boston pudding with fruit.

Even though it had recipes for fancy dishes like wedding cakes, the book focused on saving money. Esther Howland included tips for being thrifty. She even shared advice from famous people.

Smart Money Tips

She included a saying from Thomas Jefferson. He was a former U.S. President. The saying was: “Never buy what you do not want because it is cheap.” This means don't buy things just because they are on sale.

She also shared a tip from Eliza Leslie. Eliza Leslie was another well-known writer. Leslie suggested keeping a few tools at home for repairs. This way, you wouldn't always need to hire a repairman. These tips are still helpful today!

Health and Home Remedies

A large part of the book was about medical advice and home remedies. It even described a type of CPR. This early method used a bellows and pressure on the chest.

Works

• The New England Economical Housekeeper, and Family Receipt Book. Worcester: S. A. Howland, 1844