Favorite Family Recipes ~ Molasses Fruit Bars

Molasses Fruit Bars are one of our family's favorite recipes. And it's another recipe that was printed in the Relief Society cookbook called "The Best of Everything." Last year I shared a recipe for Peanut Butter Fingers from this same cookbook.

Relief Society is the women's organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.



This cookbook has been in our family for over 48 years. It first belonged to my mom and she handed it down to me. Here's the cookbook page showing the Molasses Fruit Bars recipe.



Beverly Green originally shared this recipe. As you can see, my mom made notations next to the recipe amounts. The recipe I'm sharing today will fit into a large (approx. 17½" x 11½") cookie sheet.



As you can see from the photo above, these cookie bars contain raisins. If you aren't a fan of raisins, they can be left out of the recipe. Or (and I've done this), prior to adding the raisins, place part of the mixed dough onto the cookie sheet. Spread the dough to fill part of the sheet. Add the raisins to the rest of the dough in the mixing bowl, mix and spread the remaining dough onto the empty part of the cookie sheet. Spread both kinds of dough out so they fill the whole cookie sheet.

Here's a picture to show you what I mean. It doesn't have to be perfect. You can adjust the amount of non-raisin dough depending on how many people don't like raisins.




I hope you enjoy these soft and delicious cookie bars. 

RECIPE

Molasses Fruit Bars

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups shortening (I use butter flavored shortening)
2 cups light brown sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup light (golden) molasses
4 cups sifted flour
4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cloves
1-2 cups chopped raisins

Directions

Place shortening, brown sugar, eggs and molasses into large mixing bowl. Beat with electric mixer until well blended. Add the following sifted ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves. Blend well.

Stir in 1 to 2 cups chopped raisins (depending on your love of raisins; you can also omit raisins). Grease and flour large jelly roll size (1 inch deep) cookie sheet. Pat dough evenly into pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

While warm, frost whole pan of cookies with:

1-1/2 Cups powdered sugar
Hot water to make paste
Approx. 2 drops of vanilla

Cool. Cut into squares and enjoy. These keep well and have more flavor after being stored.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

52 Ancestors: #49 ~ Daniel Bromley Webster

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small.



I'd like to introduce you to my maternal 3rd great-granduncle, Daniel Bromley Webster. He was the fourth child born to my maternal 4th great-grandparents Augustine Webster and Mary Tyler. In last week's 52 Ancestors post, I introduced you to Daniel's older brother Reverend Ebenezer Tyler Webster, who was born in 1795. I also shared a picture of Ebenezer in that post. Sadly, I don't have a picture of Daniel to share with you.

I am in possession of a two-volume genealogy book called History and Genealogy of the Governor John Webster Family of Connecticut by William Holcomb Webster and Rev. Melville Reuben Webster, D. D. I have the print version of this book. I found that the book is now online at the website Archive.org. If you'd like to read it, click HERE. I'm a direct descendant of Governor John Webster. He's my 9th great-grandfather. Within the pages of this wonderful Webster genealogy book I've found information about my Webster family, including Daniel Bromley Webster.

Daniel Bromley Webster was born on 26 September 1799 in Columbia County, New York. At some point in his life, he and his family moved to Ohio. On 11 February 1823 Daniel married Lois Stewart in Rome, Athens, Ohio. Lois was the daughter of Daniel Stewart and Ruth Fulford.

Daniel and Lois were the parents of nine children.

1. Martha Webster (1823-?)
2. Eliza Webster (1824-1842)
3. Hiram Webster (1827-1844)
4. Lucetta Webster (1829-1851)
5. Calvary Morris Webster (1832-1867)
6. Samantha E. Webster (1833-1912)
7. Sarah Lovisa Webster (1837-1887)
8. Julia Ann Webster (1839-1930)
9. Belinda Webster (1840-1843)

Daniel passed away on 15 April 1864 in Athens, Ohio due to smallpox.¹ What a horrible death that must have been. How did he contract this? Was there an outbreak in the community? I'll need to do some research to see if I can find answers to these questions. I haven't found any information indicating that his immediate family also contracted this terrible disease. Daniel's wife, Lois, passed away around thirteen years later in 1887.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

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1 Webster, William Holcomb, and Melville Reuben Webster, D.D. "XXVI."History and Genealogy of the Governor John Webster Family of Connecticut. Vol. 1. Rochester: E. R. Andrews Printing, NY. 617. Print.^↩

Advent Calendar – December 6, 2014 ~ Santa Claus

NOTE: This is a repost from December 6, 2012

This is part of the "Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories" by Thomas MacEntee of GeneaBloggers. If you'd like to join in the fun, just click HERE.

December 6 – Santa Claus

Advent Calendar Prompt from 2014 - Today is the Feast of Saint Nicholas and the origin of Santa Claus. What are your memories of Santa Claus and waiting for him to come at Christmas? What does Santa mean to you today and how do you pass along that meaning to family and to others? Post your best Santa story and your memories of Christmases past.

Advent Calendar Prompt from 2012 - Did you ever send a letter to Santa? Did you ever visit Santa and “make a list?” Do you still believe in Santa Claus?




As you can see from the photo above, my brother and I did make a visit to see Santa Claus.  Unfortunately, we didn’t look all too happy to see him.  I was three years old and my brother was two years old at the time.

Between the two of us, I’d say my younger brother was the braver child during our visit, as he had the courage to actually look at Santa.  Whether or not I ever gathered up enough courage to look at Santa, I really don't recall.  Oh well, at least we weren’t screaming our heads off.  And for that, I’m sure Santa was very thankful.

At this special time of year when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, I'd like to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas!

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

Follow Friday ~ Fab Finds for December 5, 2014

My Fab Finds for this week are (in no particular order)

1. The Kingston, New Hampshire Throat Distemper Pandemic of 1735 by Heather Wilkinson Rojo, author of Nutfield Genealogy
2. It’s beginning to look a lot like… by Judy G. Russell, author of The Legal Genealogist
3. Spending the Day with Judy~What I Learned from the Legal Genealogist by Cheri Hudson Passey, author of Carolina Girl Genealogy
4. My Evernote To-Do List by Jenny Lanctot, author of Are My Roots Showing?
5. He Ate Himself to Death by Amy Johnson Crow, author of No Story Too Small
6. Figuring out how you’re related by Janine Adams, author of Organize Your Family History
7. Using the Table of Contents in the Swedish Church Books by ArkivDigital
8. CENSUS SUNDAY–WHO WAS LIVING NEXT TO WHOM? AND WHAT DOES THIS RECORD TELL ME? by Diane Gould Hall, author of MICHIGAN FAMILY TRAILS
9. Keeping it all moving by Jen Baldwin, author of Ancestral Breezes
10. My Little Diary by Debi Austen, author of Who Knew?
11. Join the Crestleaf Surname Scavenger Hunt – $250 Top Prize by Crestleaf Blog
12. Genealogy Bargains by Thomas MacEntee, author of GeneaBloggers
13. Finding a Nurse in the Absent Voters' List for Barnsley in World War One by BarnsleyHistorian, author of A Barnsley Historian's View
14. Inspired By Family History Writing Class by Devon Lee, author of A Patient Genealogist
15. Calendars and Journals by Susan Olsen LeBlanc, author of Gopher Genealogy
16. 30 Days to Becoming Unforgettable Challenge by Valerie Elkins, author of Family Cherished
17. National Library of Ireland announces its most significant ever digitization project for Irish genealogy by Gail Dever, author of Genealogy a la carte
18. Nana, why do you write stories about dead people? by Mary Perkinson Nelson, author of Celebrating Family Stories
19. Introducing Historical Insights by Ancestry.com Blog
20. FamilySearch Publishes Find A Grave Index AND Monday Mailbox: Requiring an Email Address by Ancestry Insider, author of The Ancestry Insider
21. Chromosome Browser War by Roberta Estes, author of DNAeXplained – Genetic Genealogy
22. Illinois Adoption Act Changes for 2015 by Debbie Mieszala, author of The Advancing Genealogist
23. Best Seat in the House by Midge Frazel, author of Granite in My Blood

The 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge by Amy Johnson Crow, author of No Story Too Small -

• 52 Ancestors Challenge: Week 47 Recap
• 52 Ancestors Challenge: Week 48 Recap

The last two week's "May I Introduce To You" Interviews

• May I Introduce to You . . . Jenny Lanctot
• May I Introduce to You . . . Susan Donaldson

New Blog Discoveries

• My Journey Back
• The Road Backward
• Melinda's Genealogy Room

In Case You Missed Them….My Contributions to the Blogosphere This Week

Jana's Genealogy and Family History Blog

• Advent Calendar – December 2, 2014 ~ Christmas Cards
• 52 Ancestors: #48 ~ Reverend Ebenezer Tyler Webster

Jana's Place

• A Special Christmas Video

Thanks for reading!


© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

52 Ancestors: #48 ~ Reverend Ebenezer Tyler Webster

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small.

Reverend Ebenezer Tyler Webster

This is a photo of Reverend Ebenezer Tyler Webster, my maternal 3rd great-granduncle. He was a brother of my 3rd great-grandfather, Moses Augustine Webster. Moses named his oldest son Ebenezer. That son was my 2nd great-grandfather, Ebenezer Perry Carlisle Webster, who served in the Civil War. Moses must have named his son Ebenezer after his brother. I think that's wonderful. I like seeing ancestors who named their children after family members.

Ebenezer Tyler Webster was born on 27 December 1795 in Columbia, New York to his parents Augustine Webster and Mary Tyler.

Ebenezer married Sarah Sophaniah Lane on 4 October 1824 in Franklin, St. Louis, Missouri. They were the parents of ten children. Sadly, only four of their children survived to adulthood.

1. Barton Augustine Webster (1826-1866)
2. Verlinda M. Webster (1827-1894)
3. Son Webster (1829-1830)
4. Celena Jane Webster (1831-1835)
5. Betsey Elvira Webster (1833-1835)
6. Martha Amelia Webster (1836-1837)
7. Charles Wesley Webster (1838-1917)
8. Mary Elizabeth Webster (1841-?)
9. Fletcher Cook Webster (1843-1845)
10. Joseph Wayland Webster (1845-1931)

It's so tragic that Ebenezer and Sarah lost so many of their children. They lost their two daughters, Celena and Betsey, in August of 1835. Celena passed away only seven days after Betsey. I'm wondering if there was some illness that struck the family or community at that time. I'll need to do research to see if I can find the causes of their deaths.

Ebenezer Tyler Webster passed away on 16 January 1877 in Van Wert, Van Wert, Ohio. He was buried at the Woodland Union Cemetery in Van Wert, Van Wert, Ohio.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved