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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: venelow on Monday 24 April 17 21:09 BST (UK)

Title: Contraction on document 1718 (Completed)
Post by: venelow on Monday 24 April 17 21:09 BST (UK)
Hi Roots Chatters

Can any tell me what the three letters before Town Clerk mean?

Thanks
Venelow
Canada

Title: Re: Contraction on document 1718
Post by: goldie61 on Monday 24 April 17 22:05 BST (UK)
It might help to put it in context Venelow -
What sort of a document is it? eg bmd entry, parish records, court records, deed, etc.

I have seen older documents with as similar contraction meaning 'our', but I'm not sure this is the same.
Title: Re: Contraction on document 1718
Post by: venelow on Tuesday 25 April 17 16:21 BST (UK)
Hi Goldie

The document is an Admission to a City of London Livery Company by Redemption. The same contraction appears in front of the words Common Cryer and Chamberlain.

"granted unto *** Common Cryer"  and "paying unto *** Chamberlain"

The words 'our'  or  'the' would fit but it doesn't look like either of those words. Also the word 'the' appears several times in the document written in full.

Venelow
Title: Re: Contraction on document 1718
Post by: Bookbox on Tuesday 25 April 17 16:40 BST (UK)
I believe it's ... Mer, for Master Town Clerk (used as a term of respect).
Title: Re: Contraction on document 1718
Post by: venelow on Tuesday 25 April 17 18:49 BST (UK)
Thank You Book Box

Of course it is!  All I could see was     on l. 
These things are always so obvious when pointed out.

Thanks again.
Venelow
Title: Re: Contraction on document 1718
Post by: Bookbox on Tuesday 25 April 17 19:02 BST (UK)
Quote from: venelow on Tuesday 25 April 17 18:49 BST (UK)
These things are always so obvious when pointed out.

Yes, but it's very well disguised as on. l
I had to go away and come back to it quite a few times before I saw it  ;)