The following is the original marriage bond for Joseph Richardson and Nancy Rollins.  Peter Bryant was the bondsman.  The marriage bond is dated January 12, 1796, and the marriage took place either that day or shortly afterward.  A marriage bond is posted when applying for a marriage license to assure the court there is no legal reason to prevent the marriage from taking place.  In the early days of the state the only information given were the names of the bride and groom.  In later years names of the parents, ages of the bride and groom, birthplaces of all parties or other information.  My grandparents marriage bond in 1920 included all of the above, including the name of the minister, place of marriage, witnesses and if they were single, widowed or divorced.

Know all men by these presents that we, Joseph Richardson and Peter Bryant are held and firmly bound unto his Excellency, the Governor of Kentucky, in the sum of fifty pounds current money.  To the payment of which well and truly to be made to the said governor and his successors.  We bind ourselves, our heirs and jointly and severally, firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals and dated this 12th day of February, 1796.  The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage shortly in tended to be solemnized between the above bound Joseph Richardson and Nancy Rollins for which a license has issued.  Now if there be no lawful cause to obstruct the said marriage then this obligation  to be void or else to remain in full force and virtue.

Joseph Richards

Peter Bryant

Witness – John Reed