I’m voting for “pincil.” The first letter is very similar to the P in person, and it’s definitely and i + n or i + m next. Half the problem is the tear in the paper.
Is there a possibility of ANY trees in that part of the country being either “pinoak” or “pinyon?”
Very common markings on trails would be to “blaze” a surface on the side of a mature tree, and then putting a “scratch” or slash mark in the blaze.
~VOW
I agree with “pin upon”. He does run his words together; have a look at “andnear” in the previous line. I think the blot in between is just an error, not another letter.
I might have immediately changed my mind - all the other ps have definite loops. Could it be an f? The tear’s wide enough to obscure a whole letter. I’ll keep looking at it!
I appreciate the assistance, and I’m trying to get a higher-res scan.
I’m dubious about pencil just because I think those were relatively uncommon in frontier Illinois in 1812. The territorial official sitting down to draw a map from start to finish in pen is unlikely to suddenly switch to a pencil just for that one mark.