True confession. I once set the kitchen on fire making toaster waffles. The kind that come pre-made. In a box.
In other words, be sure to take any baking advice from me with a gallon of saltwater.
But history? That's my jam. And when I learned about the story behind Marblehead's most famous cookie, I knew I had to to take my research out of the books and into the kitchen.
Making the cookies, I discovered three important things:
- Joe Froggers are hearty enough to survive even my disastrous culinary skills
- The end result is tastes something like gingerbread
- And while the alcohol burns off in baking, the dough itself is boozy enough that if one was silly enough to eat enough dough raw, one would most definitely feel it
I was inspired enough include the story for you below, as well as the recipe. And also to incorporate Joe Froggers into the story of The Navigator.
So if you love a good tale of love, freedom, and rum, I'd encourage you to do a little research of your own. :)
Fair winds,
Cheyenne
❤️ A Love Story That Started with Freedom
In 1790s Marblehead, Joseph Brown, a freed slave, met Lucretia Thomas. He was a Revolutionary War veteran who earned his freedom by serving in place of his enslaver's son. She was the daughter of formerly enslaved parents. They fell and love and got married. But that was only the beginning of their adventure.
Together, they opened Black Joe's Tavern on Gingerbread Hill—one of the few places in racially divided colonial America where both Black and white sailors could eat, drink, and be merry together.
But here's where it gets really good. Unlike me, Lucretia knew her way around a kitchen.
🍪 The Genius of Survival Cookies
Lucretia wasn't just a baker—she was basically a food scientist:
🥄 Molasses = natural preservative
🥃 Dark rum = alcohol protection + sailor fuel
🧂 Seawater = built-in salt preservation
🌶️ Spices = antimicrobial superpowers
🚫 No eggs = no spoilage
The result? Six-inch cookies that stayed soft for MONTHS without refrigeration. Genius!
⛵ From the Tavern to the High Seas
Who likes well-preserved food? Sailors! Fishermen would buy the Joe Froggers by the dozens before heading to the Grand Banks for month-long expeditions. And from there, it's no surprise they became a Marblehead staple.
After Joseph died in 1834, Lucretia continued their legacy for 23 more years—well past 1841 when The Navigator takes place. So the real Ellen would certainly have been familiar with them.
📜 Your Turn to Make History!
Ready to try Lucretia's recipe? I've tracked down the traditional version for you below. Fair warning: If you're as hopeless in the kitchen as I am, maybe have a fire extinguisher handy. 😉
Joe Froggers Recipe Downloadable PDF
0 comments