The term "thelder" in a 17th century inventory

[PrueM]

I have just received a photocopy of an inventory taken in 1657 and the wording in the introduction has me puzzled.  Do you think this word could mean "the elder"?  I can read it quite clearly so it's not the reading that's the problem but the interpretation.  I would value your opinions!  He did have a son also named Thomas.

A True and
perfect Inventory of all
and Singuler the goode
chattles cattles and debts
of Thomas Curfey thelder
late of Littleington in the
County of Bedford Labourer....

[jess5athome]

Hi, I think it should be "The Elder", possibly a slip of the pen?
jess5athome 

[Lady Di]

After a bit of Googling, it appears the "thelder" is not an uncommon term used in those days to denote the senior person or father. Son Thomas would have been called "the younger".

In other words - "thelder" = "the elder"

Merry Christmas all

 

[Little Nell]

I'd agree with this assessment.  There did seem to be a fair amount of elision in words like this.

Nell

[sallyyorks]

In Yorkshire and  Lancashire i have heard  people who still  pronounce it "thelder".  As in   "not  young un John Smith , i mean his favthuhr  , thelder John"   .

[PrueM]

Thanks, everybody, for confirming what I thought   Nice to have a document from so long ago - just wish it was my family, not the husband's! 

[Redroger]

In Yorkshire and  Lancashire i have heard  people who still  pronounce it "thelder".  As in   "not  young un John Smith , i mean his favthuhr  , thelder John"   .

Confirm that; When I worked at King's Cross a Doncaster driver poked his head into my office and asked me "Dos't tha want me on't Sabbath Rog?"  To continue the Yorkshire theme my two Cockney colleagues were "gob-smacked" This was between 1994 and early 1996 in case any southerner though it was a century earlier.

[Mike in Cumbria]

You would still hear that today and you could add other elisions such as towd (eg towd man - the old man) or tother (pretty obvious).

[PrueM]

Thank you all for further illustrations of the interesting nature of English how she is spoke I really appreciate all these insights.