Legal Definitions - T.

T.

In the past, T was a letter that was branded onto the base of a person's thumb if they claimed the benefit of clergy. This was done to prevent them from claiming it again. In Pennsylvania, T was also a letter sewn onto the left sleeve of a convicted thief. This letter had to be at least four inches high and of a different color from the rest of the garment. This practice was required by a 1698 statute.

If someone committed a crime in the past and claimed the benefit of clergy, they would have a T branded onto their thumb. This would prevent them from claiming it again if they committed another crime. In Pennsylvania, if someone was convicted of theft, they would have a T sewn onto their sleeve. This would let people know that they were a thief and had been punished for their crime.