When was it published?

June 14, 1770 in The Virginia Gazette

Foreign News June 14, 1770

The Virginia Gazette

Q: What sub-type of article is it?

Political Anecdote, Durham Petition

Q: What keywords are associated?

Durham Petition, Illiterate Signers, Papist Joke, Crosses Marks

Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia

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What is this article about?

Humorous anecdote from a correspondent about illiterate signers of the Durham petition using crosses, prompting a joke likening them to Papists in the county of Durham.

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Full Text

A correspondent assures us we may depend on the truth of the following anecdote. A very great number of those whose hands are set to the Durham petition cannot write, so they have made crosses as their marks. A waggish Gentleman, who disliked the petition, said to one who stickled for it, "Sir, I never thought you had so great a number of Papists in the county of Durham." "What do you mean," said the other? "Why," said he, "I judge so from the vast number of crosses at your petition." The other laughed at the joke, and owned there were many.

What sub-type of article is it?

Political Anecdote Durham Petition

What keywords are associated?

Durham Petition Illiterate Signers Papist Joke Crosses Marks

Where did it happen?

County Of Durham

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

County Of Durham

Event Details

A very great number of those whose hands are set to the Durham petition cannot write, so they have made crosses as their marks. A waggish Gentleman, who disliked the petition, said to one who stickled for it, "Sir, I never thought you had so great a number of Papists in the county of Durham." "What do you mean," said the other? "Why," said he, "I judge so from the vast number of crosses at your petition." The other laughed at the joke, and owned there were many.