Payne Bouknight Tyler

Published in 1980 as a souvenir book for visitors to Colonial Williamsburg. Tyler's husband is a direct descendant of President Tyler, and it's, unusually, written in the first person, with the author discussing the parties and holidays she's spent with the friends who own all the grand homes pictured. I found that reading passages like the following in a "la di da" voice made them even more enjoyable.

"Helle Carter is one of the most accomplished cooks on the River. Her dinners and luncheons, cocktail parties (and late breakfasts for me when I drop in unannounced) are absolute treats. At small dinners, she usually serves the meal herself, or with the help of her children and one servant. Her cold tomato soup, wine jelly and boiled custard, I recommend to everyone."

The recipes range from seafood, ham, venison, salads and desserts, all of them served through generations.… (mere)