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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Llanfihangel on Tuesday 10 August 21 23:41 BST (UK)

Title: Signatures on a 1585 document
Post by: Llanfihangel on Tuesday 10 August 21 23:41 BST (UK)
Hi,
A bit more about that 1585 document... the reverse side has several signatures that I am interested in.

I think it starts with

?? ???? Anne Williams ???????

Then:

Sealed and delivered by the ?????? ?????

Thomas David Gllm (probably shorthand for Gwillym) in the presence of

???? ap ???
John Richards
John ????
???? Meredith
Jo (John) Games
David ? Johns Wms (Williams?)

I would be grateful for any help in deciphering this

Thanks

Llanfi  :) :) :) :) :)

Title: Re: Signatures on a 1585 document
Post by: Llanfihangel on Wednesday 11 August 21 01:10 BST (UK)
Hi,
I'm sorry about the emojis in my post, they were supposed to be question marks I will replace the text with...

Hi, a bit more about that 1585 document.. the reverse side has several signatures that I am interested in. I have identified the unknowns with ?

I think the top line is ??? ?? Anne Williams ??? ??
Then
Sealed and delivered by the ??? ??? ???
Thomas David Gllm in the presence of
? ap ?
John Richards
John ??
?? Meredith
Jo: games
David ?//
I would be grateful for any help deciphering this
Thanks
Llanfi  :) :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: Signatures on a 1585 document
Post by: horselydown86 on Wednesday 11 August 21 02:58 BST (UK)
my Nece Amie Williams [wynter?]

Sealed and Delivered by the w(i)thin named
Thomas David gllm in the presence uf

harry ap Prise
John Lewes clerke
John [Silfret?]
Davie ll meredith
Jo: [james?]
David [Ioans? / Joans?] [gll?]


ADDED:

It's probable that Davie ll meredith is actually Daniell meredith.
Title: Re: Signatures on a 1585 document
Post by: Vance Mead on Wednesday 11 August 21 06:22 BST (UK)
The last one looks like David Joons. Second to last could be John Gaines.
Title: Re: Signatures on a 1585 document
Post by: Llanfihangel on Wednesday 11 August 21 20:05 BST (UK)
Hello horselydown86 and Vance Mead

Your expertise is very much appreciated... Thanks!

I think I will settle for

My Nice Anne Williams witness
Sealed and delivered by the within named
Thomas David gllm in the presence of
Harry ap Prise
John Lewes clerk
John Silfret (?)
Jo:  games
David ap Meredith
David ap Joans Gllm

The first four "signatures" are in the same handwriting.
John games was in the text of the indenture itself, as was Anne Williams "reputed daughter" of  David Gllm Thomas father of the above Thomas David Gllm.

I am pretty sure that Gllm is shorthand for Gwyllym or Gwillim;  maybe the early Welsh version of Guillaume.

That clears things up for me..

Thanks!
Llanfi  :) :) :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: Signatures on a 1585 document
Post by: horselydown86 on Thursday 12 August 21 04:17 BST (UK)
Llanfi, it isn't clear from the clip what is the context of the top line regarding Amie Williams.

Simply as a possibility for you to consider, it may be that the last word is ioynter, meaning jointure.

However, it is extremely unlikely to be witness.  Even if we allow that it is badly misspelled, a witness name has to appear below in the presence of.
Title: Re: Signatures on a 1585 document
Post by: Llanfihangel on Thursday 12 August 21 06:48 BST (UK)
Hello horselydown86

Thank you for your sharp eye on that word!

Yes, I think you are right... I checked the term jointure and found it is
"A life estate that reverts to a wife after her husband's death. noun. (law) An estate settled on a wife, which she is to enjoy after her husband's death, for her own life at least, in satisfaction of dower. noun."

After trying to read the lengthy text of the document on the reverse, I managed to find that David Thomas Gllm was a reputed son of Thomas David Gllm and Anne Williams daughter of John Williams gentleman. I think it states that the property was to pass after his death into the hands of Anne Williams, David Thomas Gllm and in turn to other reputed sons of Thomas David Gllm including; William Thomas, Morgan Thomas and Howell Thomas.

David Williams of the Middle Temple London Esq. was one of the new owners of Bailie Brith, Merthyr Cynog. It is very likely that John Williams and Anne Williams were his children. David Williams was very successful and became Sir David Williams of Gwernyfed . He was the youngest son of Gwilym ap John Vychan, of Blaen Newydd, Ystradfellte, a cousin of Sir John Price of Brecon. David's patronymic name would have been David Gwilym (Gllm) ap John Vychan. He used the anglicised name of Williams by 1575.

Many thanks to you all!
Llanfi  :) :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: Signatures on a 1585 document
Post by: Hephzibah on Saturday 14 August 21 16:28 BST (UK)
The last name to me looks like Daniel Joans!