Hi again Liz,
If that's a 'P' you showed us (you said it was the start of Painter) then I think that's got quite a lot in common with the initial letter of Mary's surname (given that the scribe seems to form his letters differently at each occurrence). And more similarities than with his 'S', 'T', 'F, 'I' or 'J''.
As for his 'o's - well! Compare the 'o' in John (flies off from the top into outer space), the 'o' in George (more like an 'e'), the 'o' in Boyd and the 'o' in Brown - none is like the first vowel in Mary's surname. Then take a look at his variable 'a's - the 'a's in Williams (first occurrence), Mary and Brasington (all more like a 'u's) compared with the perfect closed 'a's in Susanna, Williams (second occurrence), James. Isabella, Tracey, Pai(nter), Fa(rmer) - again none like the first vowel in Mary's surname.
Unfortunately, this scribe couldn't be consistent if he tried!
Of course, when I turn out to be quite wrong, I'll be ready with the peanut to push round the room with my nose ...
Incidentally, I'm still puzzling over the word before Reid's Creek - why would anyone stay a servant when there was a ton of gold to be won! And is his actual occupation (you mention Licensed Victualler) elsewhere on the cert?
Cheers,
JAP
PS: Prue, would you believe that Google says there's a Tolmer Place in Springwood, Q. Wonder what that's named after
