This 1783 marriage bond is beautifully written by Willis Green, Lincoln County Clerk.  At that date in Kentucky’s history the entire state was divided into three counties – and Chickasaw lands in the far western part. Think about how many of today’s counties were included in the original county of Lincoln.  Willis Green was the son of Duff Green and Anne Willis of Fauquier County, Virginia.  Willis Green was Deputy Clerk of Fauquier in 1774, and remained so until he entered the Revolutionary army in 1776.  He came to Kentucky in 1779.  In 1783 he was appointed Clerk of Lincoln County, when it was one-third of all the Kentucky District.  In 1783 he married Sarah, daughter of John Reed.  He remained county clerk until 1813.

Notice that within the following marriage bond Lincoln County is still part of the state of Virginia; Benjamin Harrison was governor.

Know all men by these presents that we, William Stafford and Samuel Westerfield, are held and firmly bound unto Benjamin Harrison, Esquire, Governor of Virginia, in the sum of fifty pounds current money, to the payment of whereof to be made to the said governor and his successors.  We bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals and dated this third day of July 1783.

The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage shortly intended to be solemnized between the above bound William Stafford and Leah Westerfield for which a license has issued.  Now if there be no lawful cause to obstruct the said intended marriage then this obligation to be void or else to remain in full force.

William Stafford, Samuel Westerfield

Sealed and delivered in presence of Willis Green