This is the beautiful Bourbon County Courthouse, located in Paris, Kentucky.  It seems very majestic with its domed top.  And it is just as beautiful inside!

Look at this beautiful mosaic tile flooring!

And you can gaze up into the dome from the first floor.

Bourbon County was formed in 1786, and was ‘named for the royal French family who aided the colonies in the War of Independence.  Bourbon was one of nine Virginia counties formed before Kentucky became a state in 1792.’

On to the main attraction, the marriage record.  This one is particularly interesting since it was written in Bourbon County, Virginia.  The governor at that time was Patrick Henry, of ‘Give me liberty, or give me death!’ fame.

Gilbert Fight is bondsman for this marriage.  Is he Mary Fight’s father, brother or uncle?  Probably one of the three.

Know all men by these presents that we, Daniel Earlywine and Gilbert Fight, of Bourbon County, are held and firmly bound unto his Excellency Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia, and his successors in the penal sum of Fifty pounds current money to which payment well and truly to be made to the said governor and his successors, we bind ourselves, and each of our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals and dated this nineteenth day of July 1786.

The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas I, John Edwards, clerk of the County of Bourbon, have this day issued a license for the marriage of the above bound Daniel Earlywine and Mary Fight, of this county, spinster.  If therefore there is no lawful cause to obstruct the said marriage and that no damages accrue by means of the said license being issued, then the above obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.

Daniel Earlywine, Gilbert Fight