Part 3/11:
Each day began early, around 4 AM, with the sound of fires being stoked to prepare a basic breakfast. The morning meal frequently included bacon and a type of corn-based pancake known as Johnny cakes or hoe cakes—a staple that had garnered popularity since at least the 18th century. Recipes varied, but a traditional one could be made with simple ingredients like cornmeal, molasses, and baking fat, cooked in the very bacon grease saved from breakfast.