Help deciphering parts of old letter (solved!)

[Immy]

The parts in red I need help on:

"Land Office. Prescott A. Ty.
April 12th, 1872

J. R. Delong Esq
Mayor of Tuscon

Dear Sir,

Your favor of the [red]4th inst.[/red] is at hand, asking information relative to new Application for Tucson town site.
March 30th I mailed a letter to your address, wherein was a transcript of the Commissioner letter on the matter in question dated March 7th, he required Affidavits of two persons as to facts in the case and our report as to the record of the condition of the tracts in our office.
You have doubtless [red]cre[/red] (?) this rec'd my letter of the 30th ulto.

Very respectfully,

Your [red]oht[/red] (?) Servant

Henry A. Eastman

Register"


The "ulto" is abbreviated Latin for "ultimo" which means "of last month" so I got that. The "cre" word definitely starts with a "c" because it's exactly the same as the "c" in "condition." I thought the "oht" word might be "old" but the last letter is definitely a "t."

Also the first address is flush with the right margin, so that's probably the sender's address. I thought the last word would be "registrar" but there are only two letters after the "t" so I guessed it was "register." The "A. Ty." is of course "Arizona Territory."

Any ideas?

 

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[re-tek]

Re: Help deciphering parts of old letter

hows about scanning the letter? sometimes you can figure out questionable words by paying attention to the handwriting and forming of other letters. some of us are better at it than others so this may be a good challenge.

 

[LadyDigger]

Re: Help deciphering parts of old letter

The parts in red I need help on:

"Land Office. Prescott A. Ty.
April 12th, 1872

J. R. Delong Esq
Mayor of Tuscon

Dear Sir,

Your favor of the [red]4th inst.[/red] is at hand, asking information relative to new Application for Tucson town site.
March 30th I mailed a letter to your address, wherein was a transcript of the Commissioner letter on the matter in question dated March 7th, he required Affidavits of two persons as to facts in the case and our report as to the record of the condition of the tracts in our office.
You have doubtless [red]cre[/red] (?) this rec'd my letter of the 30th ulto.

Very respectfully,

Your [red]oht[/red] (?) Servant

Henry A. Eastman

Register"


The "ulto" is abbreviated Latin for "ultimo" which means "of last month" so I got that. The "cre" word definitely starts with a "c" because it's exactly the same as the "c" in "condition." I thought the "oht" word might be "old" but the last letter is definitely a "t."

Also the first address is flush with the right margin, so that's probably the sender's address. I thought the last word would be "registrar" but there are only two letters after the "t" so I guessed it was "register." The "A. Ty." is of course "Arizona Territory."

Any ideas?

"4th Inst."
Inst. (abbreviated for Instant) means: of or pertaining to the current month. In other words...his letter of the 4th of April.

"your oht servant" should be: your obt servant....or spelled out: your obedient servant.

Can't figure out the last request...
Annmarie

 

[Immy]

Re: Help deciphering parts of old letter

Dang it, I knew I'd get a scan request. I don't have scanning capabilities.

Good deciphering Annmaire! Thanks!

 

[PBK]

Re: Help deciphering parts of old letter

Nice work, Annmarie!

I think that "cre" should be "ere"— meaning "before."

 

[LadyDigger]

Re: Help deciphering parts of old letter

Dang it, I knew I'd get a scan request. I don't have scanning capabilities.

Good deciphering Annmaire! Thanks!

You are most welcomed..

This line here: "You have doubtless cre (?) this rec'd my letter of the 30th ulto."

How many letters does it look like for this word you are looking for? I am thinking "credentials"...does it look like there could be more words between the "cre" and "this"?

Nice work, Annmarie!

I think that "cre" should be "ere"— meaning "before."

Thanks PBK.... That means alot coming from you....the man who travels through time and knows just about everything in the WHAT IS IT section of TN!!!

 

[Immy]

Re: Help deciphering parts of old letter

I think PBK hit on it. It very well could be "ere." The whole sentence comes into form now:

"You have doubtless ere this rec'd my letter of the 30th ulto."

Modern translation: "You have no doubt received my letter of the 30th of last month before this."

Thanks PBK!

 

[LadyDigger]

Re: Help deciphering parts of old letter

I think PBK hit on it. It very well could be "ere." The whole sentence comes into form now:

"You have doubtless ere this rec'd my letter of the 30th ulto."

Modern translation: "You have no doubt received my letter of the 30th of last month before this."

Thanks PBK!

Super!!!! I love when a good mystery comes together so nicely

Great job PBK!