Portrait Handwriting - Help!

[miri_miri]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a small watercolour portrait that, judging by the sitter’s clothes, looks to be early 19thC in date. The inscription on the back, however, seems to read as follows:

‘Dorothy [surname]’s Great Great Great Grandfather Mr Smith 1700’

Can anyone decipher the surname? And any theories as to why it says 1700 when the image is clearly early 19thC in date?

[miri_miri]

Front image

[miri_miri]

Possible higher quality at this link -

https://i.postimg.cc/KvHK9WMr/IMG-2200.jpg

[jimbo50]

I think I read,, Kirtiss or Kirtins.

[josey]

I see Kirtin's.

[Treetotal]

I see Kirtiss.
Carol

[josey]

There's certainly going to be a possessive 's' at end, maybe with apostrophe.

[jimbo50]

Perhaps it was Dorothy's date of writing, it could possibly be 1900 if pen skipped. If it was 1700 then it seems to be long stretch for just a 3 times GG. What about 1799 ? I can't see clearly enough though. It wouldn't be too far away from early 19c.

[Karen McDonald]

What if 1700 refers to Mr Smith's year of birth? In order to distinguish him from his son, grandson, etc. (Who may also have been called John.)

Just an idea...