Women have played an important role in a lot of things throughout history and that list of accomplishments includes helping to turn ice cream into the freezer staple it is today.
CATHERINE DI MEDICI
Catherine became the queen of France in 1533 when she married the French king, Henry II. She moved from Italy to become the first lady of France, but before she left her home in Florence, she made sure to pack her recipe for frozen milk. Before long, chefs throughout France were serving up the Queen’s sweet frozen treat. Several years later, England’s Charles I was served frozen milk when he visited France. He was so smitten by the dessert that he bought the recipe from the chef who served it to him and soon all of England (or at least the rich people) were enjoying this early version of ice cream.
SALLIE SHADD AND DOLLY MADISON
Sallie, the wife of a Delaware butcher, started a catering business in the earliest part of the 19th century. Among her many popular dishes was a dessert made from frozen cream, sugar and fruit. It didn’t take long for word to spread about this treat, and Dolly Madison, the wife of future U.S. President James Madison, paid a visit to Sallie’s Wilmington home to try her early ice cream recipe. Dolly liked it so much that that she served ice cream at her husband’s presidential inauguration and served the dessert to guests throughout her stay in the White House.
NANCY JOHNSON
New England housewife Nancy Johnson is credited as helping to bring the art of home made ice cream to the masses as the inventor of the first hand-cranked ice cream churn in 1846. She soon patented her creation but without the resources to manufacture and market it, she sold the patent (for $200) to a kitchen wholesaler who began producing the churn and selling it publicly.
Tags: Catherine di medici, dolly madison, ice cream, nancy johnson, sallie shadd, turkey hill
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If you’ve got a technical question about the ice cream making process or some other inquiry about the nuances of America’s favorite treat, chances are Ernie has the answer. He might not be able to answer all questions, but he’ll try his best and some may be featured on the Ice Cream Journal.
Poor Nancy Johnson got ripped off! Although I’m sure $200 was a fortune in those days.
Who would have thought women’s roles in ice cream history would be such? This was a very interesting article, I enjoyed it very much so! Thank you!
I had never heard of Nancy Johnson. You learn something new every day.
A VERY MOO-IN STORY ,PROUD READ THE STORIES
I was surprised to learn ice cream has been around since before 1533. nancy should have insisted on a share of the profits too!!
Interesting story of women & ice cream. Smart women, they know how to develop a great product (of course).
I learned something new today! Thanks!
Very interesting article. Thanks to these lovely ladies for our chance to enjoy Turkey Hill Ice Cream today!
That’s wonderful
Thanks for raising our consciousness about Nancy Johnson.
great story! Nanct Johnson rocks!
Poor Nancy. Think of what she sold for only 200.00. Not that money is everything, nor would she get what they are making these days. It’s just interesting to learn how far we’ve come with Ice Cream Makers. I have a Cuisinart and it really takes less time to make ice cream than when I was a child. Though I make my own from time to time, I still love the option to purchase my favorite brand and flavors at our local store though.
Fascinating history. I had no idea that versions of ice cream existed so early.
isn’t there a dolly madison ice cream? is that why?
This is such interesting information about the ice cream and I love learning new things every day. History is great!!!
You see, we women know how to make things and treats for everyone. Bet a man couldn’t invent ice cream or ice cream makers.
Love the history lessons – this is good for conversation around the dessert table!
What an inspiring history story. Now every bowl of ice cream will remind me how far women have come. Thanks Turkey Hill.
What a shame that Nancy Johnson never was able to realize what kind of impact she would have on America. It’s a story I’ve heard many times, on how someone’s ingenious idea was bought out by someone else. Let credit lie where it should, not to those with all the money! Nonetheless, I am thankful for ice cream–BIG TIME!
Not surprised to see Dolly Madison’s name in this history lesson! Thanks for the history info!
Good Morning to all,
Thank You for the information,
Now where is the recipe. I would love to give it a try. Ice cream has been around for a very long time.
I was surprised to see that ice cream was around for such a long time. It’s just a shame that only the rich could enjoy it at that time. Turkey Hill is a neccessity on my grocery list along with milk, bread etc.
Years ago there was a Dolly Madison ice cream. Not sure if it is still made. I can remember making ice cream at home. That was before the electric ice cream makers, hard to turn the handle but worth it when all was done.
Hey, $200 in 1846 probably was the cost of a home so it was not that bad. Yes, I remember Dolly Madison ice cream in the 50′s. I thought ice cream was older than the 1500′s going back to the Egyptians who invented many of our foods and drink. No wonder Moss left since he could not get his TH there.
I once heard that Dolly Madison was actually making ice cream when the British attacked Washington, in the war of 1812, and burned the White House.
Notice that most of the early makers of ice cream were females. Thanks to them we are able to enjoy it today.
Thanks for another great and interesting story. Another feather in the cap of great accomplishments of women.
I remember when I was a child,helping my uncle make ice cream in a hand cranked frezer. He made the most awesome strawberry, done with fresh strawberries that he grew on the farm
Just goes to show…women know best!
women seem to have invented the most important items. and of course ice cream is at the top of the list.
Interesting article. Thanks to all those fine ladies for a very popular dessert that is enjoyed by many.
How interesting! I’m actually reading a book right now about Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots — whose mother-in-law was Catherine of Medici — and I had JUST read about this story yesterday! What a coink-ee-dink!
Very interesting – I have fond memories of the vanilla ice cream my grandfather made in his hand cranked churn. He only made it once a year to be served Christmas night with my grandmother’s coconut banana cake. We all looked forward to that holiday evening. I loved it then but remember it was very gritty compared to the creamy smoothness of TH vanilla.
Keep all the good information coming. The information you provide is interesting but information one would not think to research on their own. Thanks
[...] ICE CREAM HISTORY: THE FIRST LADIES OF ICE CREAMWomen have played an important role in a lot of things throughout history and that list of accomplishments includes helping to turn ice cream into the freezer staple it is today. CATHERINE DI MEDICI. Catherine became the queen of France … [...]
[...] ICE CREAM HISTORY: THE FIRST LADIES OF ICE CREAMWomen have played an important role in a lot of things throughout history and that list of accomplishments includes helping to turn ice cream into the freezer staple it is today. CATHERINE DI MEDICI. Catherine became the queen of France … [...]
so glad some version of Ice Cream has been around for many year we all mellow with sweet cool treats … like TH I just found the Junior Mint special Ed.
Thanks for the information
I think it is fun to hand-crank ice cream. Our local history farm has an annual celebration where ice cream is hand-cranked, and the ice used is ice that came from the pond the previous winter.
Very interesting history…Is the Johnson any relation to the Howard Johnson restaurants that used to be all over New England? they had wonderful ice cream ( 28 flavors ,I think) My Mother used to take me to one of the first here in Weymouth Mass…. That’s when I became addicted to ICE CREAM !!!!
Wow, thank you for the history lesson! You guys are wonderful!!
I learned about the influential Medici family during a recent trip to Italy. Now I know one more fact about Catherine and the ingenious women.
It only goes to show that it takes a woman to get the job done right!
thanks for the infor. I like to learn interesting facts about my favorite food.
Not surprised that women were behind bring us ice cream. THANKS
great story, thank you!
JUST SOME MORE GREAT LADIES OF HISTORY. AND MEN THOUGHT THEY RULED!!!!
Nice writing about Turkey Hill!Way to go!
I think anyone who promotes good ice cream should be honored. Bless all those who have gone before and all those who keep this wonderful product so popular.
Women & Ice Cream – what a great combination!
Women churned butter. Women invented “clotted cream” for tea. I have no doubt that women were the forc behind commmercializaton of my favorite food. Of Course!
I loved this article.
The Italians have it all over the French when it comes to culture. I love Turkey Hill ice cream, but there’s nothing like gelato in Fierenze.
It has been a long held belief that women were put on this earth to cook and serve men, and that women are best in the kitchen, but I happen to think there are many notable male cooks, and men who can spice up out life with food. There is an ice cream store owned by a man named Smiddy which is veryyyy delicious, my favorite home-0made ice cream, but it still doesnt compare to turkey hill!
I remember reading somewhere that in the early 19th century, or even the 17th, women captured ice in a fresh snowfall and made ‘snow cream’ which was a Christmas favorite.
Thanks TH for the history lessons!
That was very cool. Is there any food that doesn’t have an Italian stamp on it?
Yum yum.
Of course it takes a woman to get the job done right, Thanks for the information.
Dolly Madison served it at the presidential inaguration.
We will be serving it at our upcoming wedding!
Very interesting history lesson
I really enjoyed this entry.
I found this artivle very interestin.
I grew up on Dolly Madison. My 3 are growing up on Turkey Hill.
Go Nancy! Creator of the mass churn. LOL.
Might have known a woman would be behind such a luscious treat!!
Wow, I am learning a lot of history info that I never knew on this website… Dolly Madison cake and Turkey Hill Ice Cream…that is what I will serve for dessert this week…
POOR NANCY-SHE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN MORE MONEY- SHE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HAD SHE BEEN A MAN! ANY RELATION TO CT CONGRESSWOMAN NANCY JOHNSON I WONDER?
What a colorful history ice cream has! I can’t wait to find out what you are going to come up with next!
Score another one for the women!! I wonder who was the first one to incorporate chocolate in the recipe?
Hey T.H.T.! You get an A+ for this article. Informative and interesting. Maybe one of the students reading this site will use it for a future assignment.
great story about great women, we probably would have made it here without them, but they seem to have done it very “tastefully”
Great article! Poor Nancy, too bad that she didn’t have a way to make those churns herself!
Making all women proud!
Yummy! So nice to know ice cream has been enjoyed for a long time already!
It just wouldn’t seem right
If I didn’t have some ice cream tonight!
I love it when Big Y offers Turkey Hill Buy one get two free. I picked up three last night.
Leave it to a woman to invent something so important! First the windshield wiper –now this!
Thank you for the history lesson! I really enjoy reading these journal entries. Thanks so much for the thought, time & effort you have put into this summertime activity! Now, it’s time for lunch … ice cream, of course!!!
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