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On December 25, 1739, Virginian William Byrd II wrote in his diary that “I ate boiled Turkey and oysters.” William Byrd celebrated Twelfth Night. On January 7, 1740, he “…walked till dinner when I ate cold boiled beef….drew Twelfth Cake, gave the people cake and cider.” On December 25, 1740, he notes that he had roast turkey for dinner and on January 7, 1741; he ate roast goose but makes no mention of a 12th Night cake.