Another will snippet

[Davedrave]

I would be grateful for a transcription of a legacy in a will. I think that the testator leaves a two year old brown heifer (?) to his daughter in law Margaret Lytherlande (?) with something about it having a calf?

Thanks,

Dave

[horselydown86]

...It(em) I geve unto my dowghter in

lawe margaret lytherlande my Broune

Hecfford of ij yeres owlde, and to be

kepte untyll that she have a calffe all

the coste and charges of my executrix...

[Davedrave]

Many thanks horsleydown86,

Dave

[CarolA3]

Could the 'Broune Hecfford' be a Hereford ('Herfford'), which is a breed of cattle and brown in colour?

Carol

[Davedrave]

Could the 'Broune Hecfford' be a Hereford ('Herfford'), which is a breed of cattle and brown in colour?

Carol

Hi Carol,

It might at first look like a possibility but I don’t think that the modern breed existed at this time.

Dave

[CarolA3]

Hi Dave

You didn't give a date for the will, but the Herefords were around long before modern times according to this link:  http://www.thecattlesite.com/breeds/beef/14/hereford/

Carol

[Bookbox]

OED

heifer, n.
Forms:  α. OE heahfore, heafor, heahfru, ME hayfre, (? heyffer), ME heyfre, hayfare, ( hawgher), ME–15 heyghfer, 15 heighfer, hayfer, hayfarre, heyffer, heyfar, haifer, haifir, hafir, 15–17 heyfer, (ME yhefre), 16 heifar, 15– heifer. β. ME hekfore, hekfere, hekefeer, hefker, 15 heffeker, effker, hec(k)fare, hec(k)forde, hec(k)forthe, hec(k)furthe, hek-, heke-, heckefar, 16 heckfer, heicfar, 18 dialect heifker. γ. ME heffre, 15 heffour, effer, heffarth, hefforth

a. A young cow, spec. one that is over one year of age but has not yet calved (or, in some areas, that has not calved more than once).

[CarolA3]

Thank you Bookbox

I live and learn (which beats the alternative).

Carol

[Davedrave]

Thank you for the very interesting OED entry, Bookbox.

Dave