Know all men by these presents that we,Henry H. Wathen and John B. Wathen, 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 11th day of April 1798.

The Condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage shortly intended between the above bound Henry H. Wathen and Mary Spalding, 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.

Henry H. Wathen, John B. Wathen

John Reed

Sir, you may issue marriage license between Henry H. Wathen and my daughter, Mary Spalding, and am your servant.

Benedict Spalding, 14th April 1798

John Reed, Clerk, Washington County, Kentucky

John B. Wathen, Thomas Spalding

Although married in Washington County, when Marion County was formed in 1834, Henry Hudson Wathen and wife Mary Spalding were living in that area – now known as the Calvary area of Marion County.  In the 1850 census of Marion County Henry H. Spalding, 84, born in Maryland, is living with son Richard Wathen, his wife Mary Sophia, and their seven children – Benedict J., Harriet E., Susan A., John B., William H., Richard M. and Mary C.  Mary Spalding Wathen died in 1847, and Henry Hudson Spalding died in 1851.  They lived as man and wife for 49 years.