Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 109, November 29, 1851 / A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.

by Various

G. J.

310. Abigail.

—Whence, or when, originated the application of Abigail, as applied to a lady's maid? It is used by Dean Swift in this sense; but in a way that shows that it was no new phrase in those days.

J. S. WARDEN.

Balica.

311. Etymology of Durden.

—Jacob, in his Law Dictionary, giving Cowel as his authority (who, however, advances no further elucidation), derives the word from dur-den, a coppice in a valley. Does the word dur signify wood, or, if the British dwr, is it not water?

F. R. R.

312. Connecticut Halfpenny.

—I have a halfpenny, apparently American, bearing on the obverse, a head to the right, and "Auctori Connect.;" and on the reverse, "Inde." for independence, and "Lib." for liberty; date in the exerg., 1781 or 1787; and between "Inde." and "Lib." five stars. Can any of your correspondents tell me if my explanation of the reverse is the correct one? and also who was the "Auctori Connect.," or founder of the state of Connecticut?