Author Topic: Scottish Letter (1710) – Need 2 Words Deciphering Please  (Read 1539 times)

Offline nat11911

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Scottish Letter (1710) – Need 2 Words Deciphering Please
« on: Friday 29 December 17 12:43 GMT (UK) »
Hi and Merry Xmas to all.

Letter dated 1710, from Robert to his father John Maxwell of Barncleugh…

I’ve transcribed the entire letter apart from 2 words – the last word on line 4 and first word line 5. Can anyone decipher them please? The letter begins:

I Rcvd yours by Mr Mallcombe and would have returned an Answer by him, but he was not soe civill (for all he promised my Brother to let him know when he ruent [has come to ruin]) is to call other one ___ ___? I understand you want to know James McBraines Testament.

The first word looks a bit like Rimore [rimour=poet]; the second I’m not sure due to the rather messy first letter. Also, I’m pretty sure the earlier word ‘ruent’ is correct, but it doesn’t seem to sit well in that sentence – though figuring out the 2 mystery words may well help put it into context.

Thank you!

Chris

Offline horselydown86

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Re: Scottish Letter (1710) – Need 2 Words Deciphering Please
« Reply #1 on: Friday 29 December 17 13:29 GMT (UK) »
Still thinking about your two words, but before that I think it is:

...to let him know when he went)...

Offline philipsearching

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Re: Scottish Letter (1710) – Need 2 Words Deciphering Please
« Reply #2 on: Friday 29 December 17 13:33 GMT (UK) »
Still thinking about your two words, but before that I think it is:

...to let him know when he went)...

Agree with went.

The first letter of mystery word 1 looks like h (or possibly k), but I haven't cracked it yet.
Please help me to help you by citing sources for information.

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Offline Rhododendron

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Re: Scottish Letter (1710) – Need 2 Words Deciphering Please
« Reply #3 on: Friday 29 December 17 13:40 GMT (UK) »
Looks like Liquor and Wine to me  ;D ;D ;D


Offline nat11911

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Re: Scottish Letter (1710) – Need 2 Words Deciphering Please
« Reply #4 on: Friday 29 December 17 14:00 GMT (UK) »
Ah, we're getting there - thanks very much, I agree with 'he went'!

I'm also in the process of transcribing 2 Scottish letters (1675 & 1688) which have loads of Old Scots words scattered about, so I'll be asking for help with those as well in the near future.  :)

Anyway, keep thinking about the mysterry words - they're driving me up the wall!

Thanks

Chris

Offline horselydown86

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Re: Scottish Letter (1710) – Need 2 Words Deciphering Please
« Reply #5 on: Friday 29 December 17 14:18 GMT (UK) »
I don't believe the first mystery word begins with R.  Compare to Robert in line 7.

If we omit the bracket we have:

...would have returned ane Answer by him but he was not soe Civill is to Call other [one/ane] [?] [?]

The is could well mean as.  He uses is imprecisely, such as where he talks about his Brother and the five ponds.

So does it mean: ...he was not so civil as to call other (than for) Liquor & Wine

Does ane have that range of meaning to a Scotsman?

Offline nat11911

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Re: Scottish Letter (1710) – Need 2 Words Deciphering Please
« Reply #6 on: Friday 29 December 17 15:04 GMT (UK) »
Actually, the 'L' in London at the top is similar (and similarly scruffy) to that in mystery word 1, and there is an Old Scots word 'liccour', so maybe - if we stretch our imagination a bit - it might just be a badly written interpretation of that word.

In the other Old Scots letters I have I've come across 'ane' for 'an' quite a lot, as well as 'one' for 'on'.

 :o

Offline GR2

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Re: Scottish Letter (1710) – Need 2 Words Deciphering Please
« Reply #7 on: Friday 29 December 17 16:02 GMT (UK) »
I would like to think it said something along the lines of "one more time".

Offline oldfashionedgirl

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Re: Scottish Letter (1710) – Need 2 Words Deciphering Please
« Reply #8 on: Friday 29 December 17 17:47 GMT (UK) »
Are you sure it says McBraines not McGrieve ?