Mrs. Arthur Barnard’s Large Chicken Pie

With Fall quickly approaching, this chicken pie is a definite must try for dinner. While it may not look completely appetizing, it sure did taste amazing. I made this recipe at the request of our historian Tom Trombley and cut the recipe in half so that I would have a lot left over.

Here's What You Will Need:

Take 2-3 chickens 3 1/2 pounds a piece cut up as for a stew and cook slowly in salted water until very tender. Pick all the meat from the bones and add milk thickened with flour to liquid.  Put the chicken in a large shallow pan pour gravy over top and stir. Cover with a rich biscuit dough and bake brown. 

Suggested Crust:

4 cups flour

4 tsp baking powder 

1 tsp salt

4 tbsp butter 

2 eggs, beaten well

2 cups milk

Mix to a smooth batter and spread over chicken and gravy. 

Photograph of Mrs. Arthur Barnard

Obituary of Mrs. Arthur Barnard from the Saginaw Courier Herald dated August 16, 1914:

The remains of Mrs. Arthur Barnard, who dies at La Jolla, Cal., Friday will be brought to this city and will be accompanied by Mrs. Henry A. Newton of La Jolla, who is a cousin of Mrs. Barnard. No funeral arrangements will be made until it is known definitely when Mrs. Newton will arrive. Mary Elizabeth Lewis was a daughter of the late George F. Lewis, and was born in Mt. Clemens, September 23, 1856. A few years later the family came to this city. She was married to the late Arthur Barnard February 20, 1879. Mr. Barnard died November 20, 1907. Mrs. Barnard was one of the most highly esteemed women in the city. She was vice-president of the board of [nurses] of Saginaw General Hospital, on which she had served for many years. She was the first to recommend that a new hospital was not only a necessity, but that the present [unknown] to make an active move to [unknown]. Her death will at least delay the time when the new hospital will be built.

Portrait of her father, George Lewis

She was on the most active members of St. John’s church and was a charter member and at the time president of the Saginaw [Reading} club. In recent years she had spent much time in California, but this city was her home. Mrs. Barnard is survived by two sons, Newell Barnard, and Lewis Barnard, and one daughter, Mrs. Clarence Barnard, and six grandchildren. She also leaves her mother, Mrs. G. Lewis, two siblings, Miss Frances G. Lewis and Miss. Violet G. Lewis , who are now at [unknown] View, and one brother, Arthur [unknown] Lewis of Lewiston, Idaho.

Mrs. Barnard's son, Newell Barnard was the designer of the Saginaw Cyclecar (l) at the Valley Boat and Engine Company (m). Log mark of her husband, Arthur Barnard (r).

Twenty six women signed the original article of incorporation for Saginaw General Hospital on May 4, 1887. Opened to the public in June 1889, the hospital was located on Houghton Street near Bliss Park. Saginaw General Hospital merged with St. Luke’s Hospital in 1998 to become Covenant Healthcare.

The women who organized the institution provided leadership and funds to make the hospital a reality. Many of the founder’s names are also listed on the plaque for an endowed bed.

Deana Coleman, our staff associate, tests out weekly recipes from the cookbook Savoring Saginaw. Vice President/Chief Historian Tom Trombley and Chief Curator Sandy Schwan provided the historical information for this blog.