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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: rogerb on Monday 10 November 25 13:01 GMT (UK)
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I have attached an extract from an Orphan Book from 1716 and I was wondering what the numbers were at the end of each line. It looks like its a Pound Sign, but the numbers don't make any sense if its money.
Does anyone have any idea?
Roger
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In the 18th century, the letter "L" was used to represent pounds in monetary terms. For example, "L S D" stood for pounds shillings and pence. This usage was part of a system where "L" was an abbreviation for pounds, and "S" for shillings, and "D" for pence. The abbreviation "L" was often used in wills and inventories, indicating a sum of money. The "L" sign was an early form of the £ sign, which was used to denote pounds in old handwriting. This symbol was used to indicate a sum of money, and it was a common practice to place the "L" in front of a sum of money to denote its value.
Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
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Thanks Alan
That makes sense, but in that case, on the 5th orphan down, what would £6:344 represent?
Roger
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They can't be money.
Purely off the top of my head, maybe the number of a Ledger plus the page number within the Ledger?