Written before correction of last name!  Two novelties to mention about this 1797 marriage bond.  First is the name of the bride – Catherine McIlvoy.  My father passed away at the age of 50, and my mother waited sixteen years before marrying again – she married Virgil McIlvoy and her first name, you guessed it, was Catherine!  So that point stood out from the first time I saw this record. 

The second is the witness – Peggy Reed.  What’s this?  A woman witnessing a marriage bond?  In 1797?  Was Springfield, Kentucky, really that progressive?  Generally that was the job of the county clerk.  We know from previous bonds from Washington County that John Reed was County Clerk from this time period.  Perhaps he was out of town and his wife carried on with issuing bonds during that time?  Still seems a little odd, but the signature on the bond is indeed Peggy Reed!

Know all men by these presents that we, Samuel Livers and Roger Roney, 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, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals and dated this 11 day of November 1797.  The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is  a marriage shortly intended between the above bound Samuel Livers and Catherine McAvoy 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.

Samuel Livers

Roger Roney

Witness – Peggy Reed

I hereby certify that I am willing for you to grant a license of marriage for Samuel Livers and Catherine McAvoy, my niece.

Roger Roney, Guardian

Mr. John Reed