Gale,

Here are the answers to a few of your "illegibles."  I see that Paul has
asked you to send him a scanned copy of the inventory --- that should help
greatly.  Paul, if you can't figure one out I'll be happy to add my two
sense if you need it.


one large pot 6"00 - one hand saw 1"00 - one pare *fare* [or fares] dogs "50

one pare *fier* dogs "50 - one side saddle 11"00 one cotten wheal "75
[could both of these be 'fire dogs'? Are the like andirons?]
            Yes, fire dogs also known as andirons.  Cotton wheel is a
spinning wheel for cotton as opposed to one for flax (linen).  Different
sizes and configurations.


1 *yathan* dish and 7 plates 7"25 - 1 set of cups and socers "62 1/2
            I'd say earthen is correct.

2 *hasheads* and 2 *mea tubs* 2"00 1 pine *dish* [or desk ] 1"00
[ hashead could be hosheads. mealubs is difficult - the two words break and
the first letter of the second word could be an L or a T.]
            Probably hogsheads and measuring tubs.  Could be dish or
desk --- I'd have to see it.


1 looking glass "37 1/2 - 1 pare of *stelyards* 1"00 [ it could be
stedyards]
            A "pair of steelyards" is a type of scale consisting of a bar
with a weight that moves across it and hooks to hang the item from.  A good
dictionary or encyclopedia will have a picture of one.

Kathy Liston




----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, May 26, 2003 9:04 PM
Subject: Help needed in understanding words in an estate inventory


I have a copy of the inventory of of an estate dated 1818. The spelling is
typical of the time and I am having a difficult time trying to decide what
some
of these words could me. I hope that some of you who are so knowledgeable of
early 19th century spelling will offer your ideas. I have tried the "Concise
Genealogical Dictionary" but it was not much help.

I will do the best I can to write the word as it appears in the list. They
are not one beneath the other but rather two or three items on a line with
the
price and then a total. It will give some idea as to what the other items in
the list are for I think they listed kitchen items together, etc.

First is the way the amount was written. We begin with One young Clay Bank
mare 55"00. It appears to be to marks like a quotation mark but lower. I am
wondering if it is two dots instead. I see this on several items, worth a
lot
or a little. Could this be how they wrote dollars and cents?

Here is the list:

Bible and Small *tres tian* 6"00 - one razor "18 3/4 $6 / 18 3/4
[the best I can do with this word is tres tain. The s could be some other
letter.]

four bed quilts and two *Countsopiers* 20.00 one clock Real 1"50 $21 / 50
[count is correct, the rest could be several letters maybe fieve. Whatever
the
two items were, they were expensive as I do not think quilts were that much
in this time]

two pole axes 2"50 - 3 shovle plows *h**** and sticks 2"50 $5 / 00
[ what goes with the shovel plows other than sticks that begins with an H?]

one large pot 6"00 - one hand saw 1"00 - one pare *fare* [or fares] dogs "50

one pare *fier* dogs "50 - one side saddle 11"00 one cotten wheal "75
[could both of these be 'fire dogs'? Are the like andirons?]

1 *yathan* dish and 7 plates 7"25 - 1 set of cups and socers "62 1/2
[ might this yathan be earthen?]

2 *hasheads* and 2 *mea tubs* 2"00 1 pine *dish* [or desk ] 1"00
[ hashead could be hosheads. mealubs is difficult - the two words break and
the first letter of the second word could be an L or a T.]

1 looking glass "37 1/2 - 1 pare of *stelyards* 1"00 [ it could be
stedyards]

Any suggestions will be most appreciated. I have tried the best I can and
several others who descend from this line have too. It is a copy of a copy
and we
want to type it so that future descendants will have an easier time!

Thank you.

Gale Fuller


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