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When were the letters cut?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of What do the letters OUOSVAVV stand for?·3 answers·0·0 following
Three answers, none aheadNone is ahead yet. See what would settle it.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible.

Why it matters

A date before 1773 points to Thomas Anson and his circle; a date after 1800 points to his heirs and opens the local-names reading⁠[1]⁠[2].

Answers 3

Added between 1773 and 1817.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: 1 for
Still possible
Cut with the monument, between about 1748 and 1773.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: 1 for
Still possible
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible

History

  1. The Daily Telegraph puts forward: added between 1773 and 1817.
  2. Mitchell puts forward: cut with the monument, between about 1748 and 1773.
  3. Mitchell: family tradition holds that the letters predate Thomas Anson's death in 1773.For: Cut with the monument, between about 1748 and 1773.
  4. Mitchell: no mention before Clifford's 1817 parish history.For: Added between 1773 and 1817.
  5. Asked on this site
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