A D is a D is a D

Names can be spelled differently in a document. Letters can be written differently as well.

This image is part of a deed from Bedford County, Virginia, where Thomas and Sally Sledd are selling property.

The letter "d" appears numerous times in the record. It appears that the clerk wrote a small "d" one way when writing it in the name of Sledd and another when writing it in other words.

One more thing to be aware of when making transcriptions.

Half of John Sledd's Black Cow

This is part of the inventory of John Sledd which was presented to an Amherst County, Virginia, court in December of 1811.

A truly literal rendering of the handwriting underlined in red might indicate it says "1 Black Cow Half."

That really doesn't make sense--one cannot have half a cow.

There's also the word "Hoes" in the line underneath. That clearly starts with an "H," making the "1 Black Cow Half" seem not quite correct--although some writers do not make letters consistently.

What is probably meant by the underlined item is "1 Black Cow & Calf." Although the uppercase "C" in "Cow" and "Calf" are not made the same.

But that's what makes more sense.

And that apparent "Pi??d" Cow two lines above?

We're working on that. Stay tuned.