Excerpts from Matthew Tomlinson’s diaries which are held by Wakefield Local Studies Library. At present they are undergoing conservation at West Yorkshire History Centre.
1836
25th Christmas-day once more! – it is also very seasonable; frost, and snow: – Last evening we had our fromaty supper, – an old custom of our ancestors, – Creed wheat, boiled up in milk, and sweetened with sugar; afterward a little cheese and currant bread, with a drink of home-brew’d beer: gave them my usual toast, – “health, and contentment for one more year to come”. –
1837
25th Christmas-day, mostly fine, with brisk west-wind, and intervals of Sun – have felt myself rather better than usual. – Daughter Maria, and her husband came yesterday to dinner, stoped all night and pertook of our fromaty-feast in the evening; afterwards sung. “While Shephards watch their flocks by night; – felt grieved, because the exercise was not done with becoming solemnity; – their young green heads wry-like, laughed! – Went to bed soon after nine OClock: had strong impressions that it wou’d be my last, – but I do not pretend to know: – I have now seen 74 returns of the season, so did my Father, and so did my Mother.
1838
Christmas-day. – Is com’d again, it is a fine clear frosty morng, and the young Men and boys who are fond of song, are roaming thro’ the Villages singing Christmas songs; it inspires my mind with romantick Ideas, and with serious reflections upon the past.
Find out out about ‘fromaty’:
https://www.waitrose.com/home/recipes/recipe_directory/f/furmity__or_frumenty.htm