Help with a word in Parish Register c.1760

[phil57]

Can anyone decipher a word in the attached Parish register entry re the baptism of George Hodges please?

"George son of Mary Hodges a ? ? ? ? baptized November 14th"

In case it's relevant, an entry 2 months previously reads "Henry Hodges was buried September 28th" which might refer to Mary's husband, or could the word that I can't decipher suggest a different Mary with an illegitimate son?

[Raybistre]

Think it is Posthum[ou]s and I'm not sure if I spelt it right
Ray

[phil57]

I believe you're right! I've only just learnt that one definition of posthumous is "relating to a child born after the death of its father", so that fits. George was baptised about 2 months after his father had died, and lived to the age of 79.

Thank you

[Maiden Stone]

I agree. The letter "s" before "t" was written the old style like f.
My ancestor was born in 1738 after his father's death. Never found the father's burial. 

[phil57]

Thank you I'm used to the old style "S", the double "ff" for an uppercase "F" etc. The word posthumous never occurred to me as I hadn't been aware of its use in relation to defining the status of a child whose father had previously died.

That's the great thing about a resource like this and extra pairs of eyes and brains

Some new information for me to keep for future reference!