Code in a Non-Conformist Register

[sunnylew]

I was looking through the Framlingham Presbyterian Registers of the early 1800s and came across quite a lot of what seems to be some sort of coded script or shorthand.

It pops up here and there amongst regular script, and I can only think there was something that the pastor did not want somebody (the authorities?) to read.

Does anyone recognise the text as a particular form of code, or know of such things being linked to Presbyterians of the time?

[anitah1972]

How curious.  I can't help much, but to me some of the characters look vaguely like zodiac symbols, the dots and bars are a little reminiscent of the Freemason code, and googling shows images of Mary Queen of Scots cipher that (possibly only because it's also written with pen-and-ink) looks similar-ish.   

It could be the author's own invention, but if so, why use it in a register?  Who would/could read it?  If no one, then why bother writing it?

What, if anything do you know about the William Hill it's discussing? What's the context of the page?  Is this a biography?   

[sunnylew]

This is amongst a list of burials.

I know nothing more of William - but many more entries have the same symbols, sometimes only two or three of them amidst regular english characters. William's was the one that just had the greatest sample of the script.

I've attached another page for comparison.

[Greensleeves]

How very interesting. It looks like Pitman shorthand about 40 years before it was introduced!

[Wiggy]

That's what I was thinking GS - shorthand of some description! 

Very odd - and very very frustrating!!     We need some cipher breakers!   

Please, may we read a bit more about James the little boy who from infancy attended of his own accord . . . .  the first day he came . . . . . . .     ?     (I need a face for agog with curiosity!!)      What happened?

 that's very intriguing!     Just while we are trying to unlock the code you understand!!   

Wiggy   

[Greensleeves]

I agree Wiggy - more info on that little lad please!

I notice that in the first clip there is the symbol for 'female' so I am wondering whether the writer used his code sometimes for tittle-tattle.  If that is the case, what a shame that we shall never know what it  was!

[D Orris]

Just a thought, is the Do after the name, as in Groom, short for ditto, so to say they are both from the same place.  Is it worth comparing William Hills entry to the one above it.

[sargie]

If you can find his name on the register, you may be able to find out more about him, and why he used a code.
There are books about historic Framlingham on Google Books which may mention him as well.

[Wiggy]

  Which Framlingham are you talking about - is it in UK??