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From: <>
Subject: Re: [TNDICKSO] Marriage Bonds
Date: Sat, 1 Jan 2000 12:01:20 EST
In a message dated 01/01/2000 10:29:35 AM Central Standard Time,
writes:
<< don't mind the "probably" perspective. But does anyone know for
sure. I think the bond type thing might be correct, but I was looking
more for someone who might know for sure.
Ok folks here's my contribution: it is from my genealogy class notebook
provided by local teacher, certified genenalogist, Bill Thompson: session 7:
vital records
"Marriage Bond: a document from the mid 1700's to the early 1900's depending
on the state, whereby a person would promise the payment money to a
specified person (high government official) in the event that the marriage
was declared invalid. This money would be used to defray the legal expense
in splitting up the illegal marriage. Originals can be located at the County
courthouse or the State Archives")
The book, "Genealogists Companion and Sourcebook" by Emily Croom on page 74
offer two examples of Bonds:
"In many areas, groom had to place themselves under bond before the
wedding. One example used a printed form: ' We Elliott Coleman and William
Daniel acknowledge ourselves in debted to Beverley Randolph, Sequire,
Governour of Virginia, in the sum of fifty pounds current money, to be paid
to the said Governour or his successors: Yet tif there be no lawful cause to
obstruct a mariage intended betwen Elliot(sic) Coleman and Elizabeth Daniel
then this obligation to be void, else to remain in full force and virtue.
Given under our hands & seals the 3 day of Nov. one thousand weven hundred
and 89. Witness--"
"Another example is a handwritten document. Know all men by these
presents that we Ferdinand G. Coleman and Peter T. Phillips are held and
firmly bound unto Thomas M. Randoph Governor of Virginia in the just and full
sum of $150 good and Lawfull(sic) money of Virginia to be paid to the said
governor or his successors upon these conditions that if there be no lawful
cause to obstruct a mariage intended to be had and solemnised [between] the
said Coleman and Eliza Phillips of this county then the above obligations to
be void or else to remain in full force and virtue given under our hadn and
seals--this 31st day of December 1821. Wit: T. C. Woodson Jr."
It continues to say that in both these cases (above) , that the surety on the
bond was the bride's father. Sometimes it was a brother, other relative or a
friend.
This may be more than you wanted but I found the examples helpful. Hope you
did too!
Hope this helps
Suzanne
"Roy G. McGuire" wrote:
>
> The groom probably had to post a bond (an amount of money that the bride or
> bride's family would get if the groom backed out of the marriage).
> >>
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