Hi Joan,
This might be a longshot, but here's a recipe for Molasses Taffy just in case it's the one. If not, hopefully someone will have the exact recipe you're looking for.
Molasses Taffy
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1 cup molasses
1 piece butter size of a walnut
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Nuts or coconut may be added
Bring the sugar, water, molasses and butter to a boil, stirring after it begins boiling. Add the vinegar and continue boiling until a few drops are dropped into cold water to test for a hard stage, add the vanilla.
Pour the contents on a buttered pan (to add nuts or coconut, sprinkle them on the pan before pouring on the molasses mixture).
When cool butter hands and pull or let harden on the pan. Break into pieces.
Betsy
recipelink.com