The issue of the day when Wilkes Barre, Pa. was founded in 1769 was the infamous and oppressive Stamp Act. This required things printed in the Colonies be produced on paper from London carrying an embossed revenue stamp.
The Stamp Act was hated. It gave us the slogan “No taxation without representation.”
Its loudest opponents in British Parliament were John Wilkes and Isaac Barre.
From them comes the city’s name.
Wilkes Barre William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 11-28-18
