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Original poster

Anyone want to help decipher a letter from 1790? Pic attached. Hilariously starts with 'for god sake'

108 replies

OldTrot · 09/02/2023 10:43

And not 'for god sake' in a religious sense!

I have so far ....

Dear Sir

For God sake - ????? In the way you want ?? - so as to ? my ? and ? me knows you have done it - I shall be unwilling to suppose that the ? will be ??

Name?

As I shall be in London I wish you would ? about the money - as I shall ? again found about that?

The time you mentioned ? is now come - ?? I should be glad of it ?

Yours sincerely

B Wood
Tiverton
3 May
1790

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
newtb · 09/02/2023 12:39

The name is likely to be Kingdom, my great grandmother was Fanny Kingdom from Devon before she married into a Bradford family.

Original poster
OldTrot · 09/02/2023 12:40

@AlwaysLatte yes, clearly very unhappy. The 'for god sake' is just dropping with exasperation!

@FannyGotobed yes. Work to do and we are all trying to work out if it's pushes or wishes!

OP posts:
Paturday · 09/02/2023 12:44

I love this! Where do you get these letters? So cool.

reddingweddy · 09/02/2023 12:48

@OldTrot this is fascinating! Where do you find this stuff?

Here's my effort:

Sk??? Family
For Gods Sake - push the examination of Mr Kingdon - in the way you want to be satisfied in - so as to prevent any longer delay and let me know you have done it. I shall be unwilling to suppose that the matter will be delayed any longer.

Martin & Beadon
As I shall soon be in London - I wish you would determine about the money - as I shall again be pushed about that matter - the time you mentioned last year is now come. If I should satisfy your uncle, and thy wishes - I should be glad of it.

I wonder if Mr Wood was instructing the attorney in various matters, hence the names above the two different sections of the letter.

cunningartificer · 09/02/2023 12:48

First half reads

For God's sake -- push the examination of Mrs Kingdom in the way you want to be satisfied in, so as to prevent any major delay and let me know you have done it. I shall be unwilling to suppose that the matter will be delayed any longer.

YesitsBess · 09/02/2023 12:49

I am supposed to be getting on a plane but I am tarrying in order to stare at this letter.

I'm going to screenshot and use it as a puzzle passtime.

PS- I sometimes visit the records office to do just this as a pass time. @OldTrot I've got some belters on my phone if you'd like me to send you some by DM?

reddingweddy · 09/02/2023 12:52

Actually I think the last paragraph is "satisfy your uncle and thy sisters"

longleggitybeastie · 09/02/2023 12:53

Dying to know what you're going to settle for @OldTrot Grin

ElizabethBest · 09/02/2023 12:56

For gods sake, push the examination of Mr Kingston in the way you want to be satisfied on - so as to prevent any longer delay, and let me know you have done it. I shall be unwilling to suppose the matter will be delayed any longer.

as I shall soon be in London, I wish you would determine about the money - as I shall be again pushed about that matter. The time you mention last yours (this means in your last letter) is now come. If I could satisfy your uncle as to the pushes I would be glad of it.

Original poster
OldTrot · 09/02/2023 12:59

@Paturday @reddingweddy I pick them up from eBay or online. I just go for the ones that pique my interest or ones that are very old.

They vary in price but I usually pay a few quid if that.

OP posts:
Original poster
OldTrot · 09/02/2023 12:59

@YesitsBess ooh yes please! So fascinating

OP posts:
TeaMeBasil · 09/02/2023 13:12

Could the last bit be 'satisfy your uncle and Mary's wishes' ?

TeaMeBasil · 09/02/2023 13:14

Hmmm maybe not actually, the Ms look different higher in the letter.

This is quite addictive!

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 09/02/2023 13:33

I really want to know what this was all about now. Clearly it was something that was irking the letter writer a lot and had been going on for some time.

reddingweddy · 09/02/2023 13:39

I have got a letter written in 1957 which needs deciphering. Would anyone like to have a go? If so I will start a new thread so as not to hijack this one.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 09/02/2023 13:40

reddingweddy · 09/02/2023 13:39

I have got a letter written in 1957 which needs deciphering. Would anyone like to have a go? If so I will start a new thread so as not to hijack this one.

Yep. I'm waiting for a delivery so have all afternoon free.

Original poster
OldTrot · 09/02/2023 13:44

@reddingweddy go for it!

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reddingweddy · 09/02/2023 13:45

Done, but can't figure out how to link!

reddingweddy · 09/02/2023 13:46

Another historical scribble to decode! www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4738961-another-historical-scribble-to-decode

Oh! Done it!

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 09/02/2023 13:49

I am late to this thread and probably this has already been sorted out. My effort is:

For God's sake pass the examination of Mr Kingdon in the Railway you want to be ?classified ?certified in - so as to prevent any longer delay and let me know you have done it - I shall be unwilling to suppose that the matter will be delayed any longer.
Martyn Boudon
As I shall soon be in London - I wish you would ?....about the Money - as I shall be again pushed about that matter - The time you mentioned last year is now come - If I could satisfy your Uncle and the ?pushers - I should be glad of it -
I am D Mr
Yours sincerely
B. Wood
Tiverton 3rd May 1790

Blueuggboots · 09/02/2023 13:50

For god sake, Push the examination

reddingweddy · 09/02/2023 21:03

I am now perusing eBay for similar fascinating items... I foresee a new hobby!

Original poster
OldTrot · 09/02/2023 22:15

@reddingweddy something always comes up!

OP posts:
ThisMeetingCouldHaveBeenAnEmail · 09/02/2023 22:29

It looks more like Taunton, Somerset to me

Houseplantmad · 09/02/2023 22:39

@OldTrot this is fabulous - I’ve enjoyed this thread so much. Thanks for sharing it. What an amazing letter from such a different time. Are you a history expert or is it for fun?