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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: hsfam on Tuesday 05 July 16 06:07 BST (UK)

Title: Completed with Thanks! - What did he leave to Henry and Frederick?
Post by: hsfam on Tuesday 05 July 16 06:07 BST (UK)
Hi,

I'm stuck on a couple of words in a will and it is driving me nuts. I've attached a snipped of two lines so you can see the handwriting.

The two lines basically read as:
Line 1: Isaac Lee Esquire a Gold Watch I also leave to the said Henry
Line 2: Isaac Lee Esq and Frederick Ellis Esq a [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable] I leave

You've got to love the way they take out all punctuation. And, by the way, that name really is "Frederick".

It is very possible that the first letter of the first unreadable word is "M" as unlikely as that sounds. It matches the "M" in his daughter's name, Maria, mentioned earlier in the will.

Apart from that, I'm completely stumped.  ::)  Any guesses anyone? All gratefully received!  :)

Thank you!
hsfam
Title: Re: What did he leave to Henry and Frederick?
Post by: mirl on Tuesday 05 July 16 06:12 BST (UK)
unreadable ring each?
Title: Re: What did he leave to Henry and Frederick?
Post by: denyse_aus on Tuesday 05 July 16 06:24 BST (UK)
Mourning ring to Ellis
Title: Re: What did he leave to Henry and Frederick?
Post by: mirl on Tuesday 05 July 16 06:37 BST (UK)
Good pick for mourning!

So, I think after naming the two legatees it's "mourning ring each"
Title: Re: What did he leave to Henry and Frederick?
Post by: goldie61 on Tuesday 05 July 16 06:59 BST (UK)
I'd agree with 'mourning ring each'.
It was quite common for testators to leave money for mourning rings.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mourning_ring
Title: Re: What did he leave to Henry and Frederick?
Post by: hsfam on Tuesday 05 July 16 09:40 BST (UK)
Of course! I have heard about mourning rings before but it was awhile ago. I've not come across them in my own family before. But it makes complete sense and I can see it in the words, now.

You are all awesome! Thank you so much!