Marriage Bond and Consent

Washington County, Kentucky

Samuel Riley White and Martha Lewis

March 22, 1827

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS

That we, Samuel R. White and John Lewis, are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the just and full sum of fifty pounds; which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, jointly, severally and firmly by these presents, signed with our hands, and sealed with our seals, and dated this 22nd day of March 1827.

Whereas there is a marriage shortly intended between the above bound Samuel White and Miss Martha Lewis for which a license has this day issued, now, the condition of the above obligation is such, that if there should be no legal cause to obstruct said marriage, then the above obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue in law.

Witness, John Hughes, Jr.,                                 Samuel R. White, John Lewis

March 22, 1827

Sir, this is to let you know that I am willing for a marriage to take place between my son Samuel R. White and Martha Lewis, given under my hand and seal this day and date above written.                       Mary White

Attest – William Hungate, John ?

                                Sworn to by William Hungate – March 22, 1827, John Hughes, Jr.

Samuel Riley White and Martha Lewis are my 3rd great-grandparents.  They were born in Kentucky, probably Washington County, on August 6, 1809 and June 25, 1808, respectively.  Samuel and Martha had 12 children:  Elisha, Emeline, John L., William, Elizabeth, Samuel Riley, Henry, Matthew, Nancy, Rebecca J., James and Nathaniel.  Many of their children lived out their lives in Washington County, but after the Civil War, Samuel and Martha moved to Parke County, Indiana.  Matthew and Nathaniel moved north with their parents.

The Civil War claimed several lives in the White family.  John L. White was a soldier for the north.  He died in Andersonville Prison, list 21, grave no. 1125.  William Coulter, husband of Emeline White, was a private in E Company of the 19th Kentucky Infantry.  He died before September 9, 1865.  On this date Emeline applied for his pension as widow.  Probably William was wounded during the war and died shortly after returning home – or perhaps he never saw home again.

Many members of this family are buried in Rockbridge Cemetery, Evergreen Cemetery or Fairview Christian Church Cemetery in Washington County.  My book The Samuel Riley White Family, which was written several years ago, contains outlined information on the family along with census records, copies of original marriage certificates, bonds and consents; copies of obituaries from the local newspapers, death certificates and gravestone photos from the above-named cemeteries.  I am in the process of transferring this to a CD as a Word document.  It should be ready by the end of the week.  If anyone is interested in purchasing this CD just send me an email.