Any local (i.e. Mid-Atlantic) cookbook from the era would give one an excellent idea of what was readily available in the period. As well, any diarist worth his/her salt -- as it were -- would most likely have recorded crops, yields, and the like. I'd also look at Ed Ayers et als' "Valley of the Shadow" online project for information and sources. Happy Hunting. Jim Watkinson James D. Watkinson, Ph.D. Archives Library of Virginia [log in to unmask] 804.692.3804 To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html