1737 Household Valuation

[BoldHighlander]

post deleted.

[MacMillans son]

I'm not sure of the age or history of measurements, but is it possible Peter that "Meeder" = Meter/Metre ?

[Mike_Oettle]

Interesting that the cloth was identified as being Dornich (and that this presumably indicates Doornik).
I have often come across French name forms for Dutch-speaking towns (in the Netherlands, there is Bois-le-duc or s’Hertogenbosch, and in French Flanders there is Duinekerke, referred to by the French as Dunquerque), but it is unusual to come across a Dutch name for a French-speaking town – the place in question is Tournai, in Hainaut.
The County of Holland had a controlling interest in Hainaut in the Middle Ages, before most of that region passed to the Dukes of Burgundy, since the Counts of Holland were lords of Hainaut, and referred to it as Henegouwen.
This (and the commercial links between the Low Countries and Scotland) might account for the Dutch form.

MacMillan of Rathdown’s suggestion that meeder might mean metre is a little out, historically, since the metre was only adopted in France following the Revolution.
This inventory makes an interesting comparison with inventories I have seen of settlers who died at the Cape in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Regards,
Mike

[ANCIENT OGILVIE HUNTING]

The reason the currans would be included in this inventory is that times where hard then
and most folk went barefoot . Remember this is a Clan Chief's inventory and therefore a relatively wealthy person
My Mother told of people going bare foot when she was young . That was in 20th century Scotland. something that I could never get my around.
I think that these days some people forget that the reason for leaving the Auld Country ' by choice was to escape dire poverty, especially the highlands

This came up one day while talking to the Auld Dear and asking about how hard it would have been in the Glasgow tennements in her early childhood
when she came out with the statement that
."We wurny so bad ma Da always made sure we wur shod ...........(for school) I felt sorry for the wee ones who had nae shoes "

MIND BLOWING

[figheadair]

Here are a couple of other entries:

• a purfe and two small leathern belts
• a Ratine coat and three linnen shifts
• 5 more shifts & 2 pair of prefervs

Perhaps the re-enactors amongst you can help.

I wonder if purse = sporran, especially as it’s listed with two small leather belts?

Also, did shifts = shirts and were preserves underwear for use under trews/breeches?

[Woodsheal]

Here are a couple of other entries:

• a purfe and two small leathern belts
• a Ratine coat and three linnen shifts
• 5 more shifts & 2 pair of prefervs

Perhaps the re-enactors amongst you can help.

I wonder if purse = sporran, especially as it’s listed with two small leather belts?

Also, did shifts = shirts and were preserves underwear for use under trews/breeches?

I'd say purse does indeed equal a sporran. Most documents in English from that period refer to sporrans as "purses."

Rateen was a coarse, heavy woolen cloth, favored for "foul weather" outer garments. Sailors' jackets were often made of rateen.

"Shifts" is shirts, with that "f" shaped character that represents "s" in that period.

"Preservs"? No idea...!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

CARRS could refer to carles, a kind of rustic, or home made, candle stick.

[rtc872]

This is amazing. The most interesting is it makes me think what would be left in such an inventory for myself. I can't help but feel a lot more! We truly do live in wealthy times.

[theborderer]

Truss: According to google books/etymological dictionary of scottish language a truss was a ribbon which ladies wore inside their clothes in order to tie up their petticoats,when working.
In medicine it is a strap with pads to keep the hernia in place !!!!
I, pesonally, would stick to the ladies.

[figheadair]

Truss: According to google books/etymological dictionary of scottish language a truss was a ribbon which ladies wore inside their clothes in order to tie up their petticoats,when working.
In medicine it is a strap with pads to keep the hernia in place !!!!
I, pesonally, would stick to the ladies.

But in this case is more likely to have been an Anglicisation of the Gaelic truibhas - trews.