Posts in June 26, 2025

Not everyone made an “X” as their mark when acknowledging a document and not literally signing their name. That’s what three of the individuals who signed a 1743 bond in Frederick County, Virginia, did. Margaret Thompson appeared to have made an “M,” Thomas Mills appeared to have made an “O,” and John Demos appeared to have made some form of an “I.” Of course the marks as shown in this image are not their actual marks. They are the clerk’s attempt to reproduce their marks when transcribing the document so slight liberties may have been taken. Just because they made their marks does not mean that they were illiterate. But the unique marks are helpful as they can help to distinguish individuals with the same or similar names.