Ms. Gale.  Scan the documents, send those privately, and we likely can assist you.  Paul 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: [log in to unmask] 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Monday, May 26, 2003 8:04 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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