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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: sheronb on Monday 15 March 10 13:26 GMT (UK)

Title: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: sheronb on Monday 15 March 10 13:26 GMT (UK)
If some kind soul could take a look please. Hope I've done this right!
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: Suttonrog on Monday 15 March 10 13:41 GMT (UK)
Sorry Sheronb,

It really is too small.

Can you rescan to give a 500kb file, if necessary in bits?

Rog
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: sheronb on Monday 15 March 10 13:54 GMT (UK)
Hope this is ok.
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: sheronb on Monday 15 March 10 13:54 GMT (UK)
Second half.
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: PaulaToo on Monday 15 March 10 16:04 GMT (UK)
I'm picking that up as 200dpi, sheron.
Much better, but not strong enough to get a good squint at it.
300dpi an absolute minimum, as Rog says, 500 would be great....
would love to help, but can only make out a few words, nothing that makes sense.
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: sheronb on Monday 15 March 10 17:00 GMT (UK)
Ok thanks Paula, will have to have another go resizing it.
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: sheronb on Monday 15 March 10 17:02 GMT (UK)
Trying again.
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: sheronb on Monday 15 March 10 17:04 GMT (UK)
2nd part.
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: sheronb on Monday 15 March 10 17:07 GMT (UK)
whoops
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: PaulaToo on Monday 15 March 10 17:16 GMT (UK)
I'm still only getting it at 200dpi, sheron.  ???
darned frustraiting, I can see so many words in there, but not enough >:(
Must say the writing is much better than on the wills I have, without transcriptions I wouldn't have been able to understand a word of them ::)
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: sheronb on Monday 15 March 10 17:31 GMT (UK)
I can't post it any bigger Paula, site won't let me. Never mind, shall have to work on it, thanks for trying.
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: Lolly2881 on Monday 15 March 10 17:36 GMT (UK)
I may be able to do bits, but not much its very hard to focus on.

Lolly
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: sheronb on Monday 15 March 10 17:39 GMT (UK)
Thank you Lolly, any help would be great.
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: Lolly2881 on Monday 15 March 10 17:54 GMT (UK)
the first half this is all i could get im afraid sorry, i will take a look at the second half but its quite difficult to make out.

this is what i think it states dont take my word for it.

By the permission of almighty god I Isaac? wells? of the borough of  Plymouth? In the county of avon?????? being in good health of in body and of sane and dispering? Mind memory and understanding make ?????? will and testiment as follows next couple of lines hard to read they relate I think to properties or businesses in St Andrews Street and something Lane in Plymouth? Something and lately purchased by me William something Grocer and my something tenement of dwelling house, cant read a few lines, then something James something of Plymouth cant read whats next until the next name William Phillips of the same place the nothing until the big letter saying Upon Trust that they I cant read from there down only 1 or 2 words.

Lolly ;)
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: Lolly2881 on Monday 15 March 10 18:07 GMT (UK)
Upon Trust something James Bonfer? and William Phillips and the survived of them and the wives? and children? of such survived and shall convey and assure the something of such charge cant read, and equally something my two sons John Wells/Weats? And Isaac Watts? (not sure what this surname is I presume you will know) I cant read much of the rest, im really sorry its really frustrating.

Does any of it make any sense to you?

Lolly  :D
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: sheronb on Monday 15 March 10 18:18 GMT (UK)
Thanks Lolly for trying, it's Isaac Watts, there's 3 pages! The 2nd is actually easier to read with a magnifying glass!! Shall have to sit down and write it down, word for word! :) Though James was boulton on 2nd page, could be wrong though!
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: PaulaToo on Monday 15 March 10 21:40 GMT (UK)
Bit more, can't guarantee any of it, but it might help
Well done Lolly. When I saw what you had managed to find it gave me a kick up, and set me going.

By the permission of almighty god I Isaac  Watts of the borough of  Plymouth In the county of (avon?)  / being in good health of body and of sane and (discerning?) mind memory and understanding make  will  / / / to be my / will testament as follows that / / / / and / and / my / / / / / / and / / and / / and being in St Andrews Street and / Lane in Plymouth aforesaid and lately purchased by me of William / a Grocer and my / tenement of dwelling house, and /// being in/ Lane/and which I purchase of John ///my/ Lane / and/whichever one / / unto my son (Francis?) James / of Plymouth / clerk of the Parish of / / and William Phillips of the same place /// they / and / UPON TRUST that they the / James / and William Phillips and the / of them and the / / /  of / / / / / shall / / / my //// and/ subject to // as may be deceased at the time of my decease and a one shall / payment /  such / and sums of money as may be / in / /  said / / / for the / / / / / pay the / of / / and /  thereof / my  (sons wife  Susanna Watts?) /////////////////
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: Lolly2881 on Monday 15 March 10 22:02 GMT (UK)
Well done PaulaToo, my eyes were killing half way down, very hard to read, I had to try it though, because it feels aweful when you have important documents like that and cant read them.  I have military records that are unreadable due to fading, I have even tried photoshoping them, nadda.

Lolly  :D
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: PaulaToo on Monday 15 March 10 22:16 GMT (UK)
I've got grubby finger marks on the screen where I was following the words across...  ;D
Eyes just about to migrate round the back of my head, so I couldn't do part 2.
I think between us we have made sense of some of it.
Sheron migh be able to go further.
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: sheronb on Tuesday 16 March 10 07:48 GMT (UK)
Thanks Paula.
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: PaulaToo on Tuesday 16 March 10 11:04 GMT (UK)
No problem, sheron.
I'll have a go at part 2 some time, but first i had better wipe the screen, or I won't be able to moan about son and heir splashing his coke on it  ;)
For the time being though, it's the Tuesday shopping run to Sainsbugs. See you later.
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: antiqueone on Tuesday 16 March 10 11:51 GMT (UK)
Just a small contribution "in the County of Devon Victualler"
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: PaulaToo on Tuesday 16 March 10 18:15 GMT (UK)
Brilliant, even one word at this stage can help.
Thanks
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: sheronb on Tuesday 16 March 10 18:50 GMT (UK)
Just a small contribution "in the County of Devon Victualler"

Thank you! they were hotel-keepers, his son another Isaac left abt £750,000 in 1887!! Not my ancesters though , my aunts
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: PaulaToo on Tuesday 16 March 10 21:08 GMT (UK)
Had a stab at part 2...

After her (decease?) UPON TRUST that they the said James / and William Phillips and the survivor of them and the / and . Of such survivors / and equally (between?) my two sons John Watts and James Watts / / and / / appoint the same / in / / of my / / should happen to depart this life leaving lawful issue then it is my Will that / / shall be / to their / / / a share and the / / / /to them / and when such / shall / the age of  twenty one years / / / / of / / a / / / the / and / one / of such / in the / / / / and / my / and /  / / and effects of what / / / / and (whensoever?) I give and / the / and the / James  and William Phillips / / aforementioned and
James Watts

i don't know if that might help.
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: sheronb on Friday 19 March 10 19:58 GMT (UK)
Sorry Paula, am late in thanking you.
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: PaulaToo on Friday 19 March 10 20:38 GMT (UK)
That's all right, sheron.
Hope I've helped a bit. I really can't make any more out of it.
Sorry about that.
Good luck with the rest.
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: Glenpenny on Saturday 20 March 10 16:13 GMT (UK)
Just wait till you try to read 17th Century Wills!! ;D  For what it's worth here's my effort at part one.

By the Permission of Almighty God I Isaac Watts of the Borough of Plymouth in the county of Devon being in good health of body and of sound and dispersing mind memory and understanding make and publish this to be my last Will and Testament as follows that is to say I give and devise all and singular my ..... Messuages Tenements or Dwelling houses Garden Hall Heriditaments and premises sutuate and being in Saint Andrew Street and .... Lane in Plymouth aforesaid and purchased by me of William Barton Grocer and Messuage Tenement and Dwelling house and premises situate and and being in Lower? Lane aforesaid and which I purchased of John Nichols animal? officer my Strecheld? Lane tenements and hereditaments whichever and wherever situate unto my trustee James Boulter of Plymouth aforesaid clerk of the Parish of Saint Andrew and William Phillips of the same place Tailor and their Heirs and assigns UPON TRUST
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: Glenpenny on Saturday 20 March 10 17:09 GMT (UK)
Botheration!  Was just posting the lot and got disconnected and have had to retype! :'(

By the Permission of Almighty God I Isaac Watts of the Borough of Plymouth in the county of Devon Victualler being in good health of body and of sound and dispersing mind memory and understanding make and publish this to be my last Will and Testament as follows that is to say I give and devise all and singular my ..... Messuages Tenements or Dwelling houses Garden Hall Hereditaments and premises situate and being in Saint Andrew Street and .... Lane in Plymouth aforesaid and purchased by me of William Barton Grocer and Messuage Tenement and Dwelling house and premises situate and and being in Lower? Lane aforesaid and which I purchased of John Nichols animal? officer my Strecheld? Lane tenements and hereditaments whichever and wherever situate unto my trustee James Boulter of Plymouth aforesaid clerk of the Parish of Saint Andrew and William Phillips of the same place Tailor and their Heirs and assigns UPON TRUST that they the said James Boulter and William Phillips and the survivor of them their Heirs and assigns of such ... do and shall ... of my said Estate Hereditaments and otherwise subject to such charge as may be thereon at the time of my decease and ... ... and shall after payment of such sum and sums of money as may be expended in R... the said effectually insure as for the ... .... or expenses thereof pay the surplus of the rents and profits thereof unto my dear wife Susannah? Watts and her assigns for and during her natural life to use for her sole use.....

... and after her decease UPON TRUST that they the said James Boulter and William Phillips and the survivor of them and the Heirs and assigns of such survivor do and shall convey and assure the same subject to such charge as aforesaid well and equally between my two sons John Watts and James Watts their Heirs and assigns as Tenants in common and not as joint tenants or as they shall respectively direct or appoint the same And in case either of my said sons should happen to depart this life leaving lawful issue then it is my Will that such Issue shall be entitled to their deceased Parents Moiety or share and this ... be discharged to them as and when such Issue shall attain the age of twenty one years applying the rents and profits of such Moiety or ... towards the maintenance accommodation? and support of such Issue in the meantime? and all and singular my Personal and Testamentary Estate and Effects of what nature or Kind ... and wheresoever I give and bequeath the same unto the said James Boulter and William Phillips their Executors administrators and....


Cheers
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: PaulaToo on Saturday 20 March 10 18:16 GMT (UK)
Wey hey, Glenpenny, Sheron is going to be pleased with that, I'm sure!
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: Glenpenny on Saturday 20 March 10 18:32 GMT (UK)
I've been getting plenty of practise in reading old Wills lately.  Might need some help myself before much longer.
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: PaulaToo on Saturday 20 March 10 18:50 GMT (UK)
You know where to come, Glenpenny ;D
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: bishenbertie on Saturday 20 March 10 18:57 GMT (UK)
Congratulations Glenpenny, I'm sure Sheron will be pleased and perhaps she'll be able to fill in some of the addresses from other documents she may have.
Title: Re: Need help in reading will please.
Post by: sheronb on Saturday 20 March 10 18:59 GMT (UK)
Thank you very much Glenpenny! That's great. We have his sons will now,dated 1887, that is much easier to read! Many thanks.