1737 Household Valuation

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I suspect that "tartan truss" are tartan trews-- ah, the creative spellings of the 18th century-- and "an broadsword shoulder belt and target" are three separate items: a broadsword (comma omitted) shoulder belt and target. All perfectly clear to the person preparing the inventory, but a bit of a muddle for those reading the same 274 years later.

[artificer]

I suspect that "tartan truss" are tartan trews-- ah, the creative spellings of the 18th century-- and "an broadsword shoulder belt and target" are three separate items: a broadsword (comma omitted) shoulder belt and target. All perfectly clear to the person preparing the inventory, but a bit of a muddle for those reading the same 274 years later.

Those were my thoughts as well.

A very interesting list, Peter.

[KenB]

Fascinating!

I'm wondering what place these items are from, i.e. Western Highlands, Sutherland/Ross? What family? Clan?

This is so intriguing.

[figheadair]

I suspect that "tartan truss" are tartan trews-- ah, the creative spellings of the 18th century-- and "an broadsword shoulder belt and target" are three separate items: a broadsword (comma omitted) shoulder belt and target. All perfectly clear to the person preparing the inventory, but a bit of a muddle for those reading the same 274 years later.

Thinking about it we'd come to the same conclusion that truss probably meant trews.

The transcription was done c1970. Fortunately the original survives so we will dig it out and check. Even if there is no comma it's entirely possible that it was assumed/intended.

[davidlpope]

Thinking about it we'd come to the same conclusion that truss probably meant trews.

I shudder to imagine a "tartan truss"...