Civil War Christmas Cake (1862)

To two pounds of off flour well sifted
     Of loaf-sugar ounces sixteen;
Two pounds of fresh butter, with eighteen fine eggs,
     And four pounds of currants washed clean;
Eight ounces of almonds well blanched and cut small,
     The same weight of citron sliced;
Of orange and lemon-peel candied one pound,
     And a gill of pale brandy uniced;
A large nutmeg grated: exact half an ounce
     Of allspice, but only a quarter
Of mace, coriander, and ginger well ground,
     Or pounded to dust in a mortar.
An important addition is cinnamon, which
     Is better increased than diminished;
The fourth of an ounce is sufficient. Now this
     May be baked four good hours till finished.

More "Lost" Historic Recipes
Abraham Lincoln's Tennessee Cake with Cider Sauce (1835)

Benjamin Franklin's Gingerbread (1770)

(Origin - "Civil War Recipes - Receipts from the Pages of Godey's Lady's Book" compiled and edited by Lily May Spaulding and John Spaulding.)