As this is the month of February and Valentine's Day falls within, see if you can decipher this illustrated Valentine letter (it’s called a Rebus) sent to my great, great grandfather’s sister, a lady called Emma Hemmans. It is postmarked 2:00pm February 14th 1820.
I make no apologies for some of the names mentioned in it, I have no idea who they are or what they mean, I can only assume it was some kind of nickname they had between them.
The illustrated letter above deciphered.
Deer
My Dear little Emma
Eye Hope Yew Liberty (Bell) Eye Ham
I hope you will excuse the liberty I am
Inn Letter Toe Yew Sign
now taking in writing a letter to you signing
Butt Ass Eye
John but as it is Valentines day I consider it
Bull Eye Knot Yew
Allowable - I do not know whether you
Will Butt Toe Yew
will find me out or not but to give you some
Eye Deer Eye Ham Yew Crow
idea of who I am you must know that Chro
Ton Ass Bean
nonhotonthologotetibusque has been seen by
Yew Bean
Altiberontefoscofornie who says you have been
Mother and child Yew Last
A good little girl since he left you on sixth day last
Hand Eye Ham Well
And therefore I am well pleased
Yew
You must know that Chrononhotonthologotetibusque is my Old Man.
Yours Sincerely
Altiberontefoscofornie
Mike Welton, February 2011