This recipe has been credited to George Washington's mother.  It is a delightful recipe flavored with molasses, ginger and other spices.

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine softened
• 1/2 cup cirmly packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 14 cup cream sherry
• 3 large eggs
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons ground ginger
• 1 12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground mace
• 1 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1@ cup warm milk (105 to 115 degrees)
• 2 tablespoons grated orange juice
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoons warm water (105 to 115 degrees)

Directions:

Beat butter at medium speed of an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well.  Add honey, molasses and sherry, beating well.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.

Combinefloir and next 5 ingredients, add to butter mixture, alternately with milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.  Mix at low speed after each addition until blended.  Stir in orange rind, orange juice and raisins,  Dissolve baking soda in warm water; add to batter stirring well.  Pour batterinto a greased 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool in pan on a wire rack.  Yield 15 servings.