I Still Love the Name “Janethe”
I was transcribing a New York City deed from 1816 yesterday when I came across the name “Janethe.” It struck me that it might be pronounced “ja-nee-tha” which I thought was quite beautiful. ” … Gabriel Hatfield and Barnes Hatfield of the City of New York and Janethe wife of the said Gabriel Hatfield and Mary the wife of said Barnes Hatfield …” Wait a minute. Why does the deed say “Janethe wife of” in the first instance and “Mary…