Another beautifully written marriage bond and return from Washington County.

Know all men by these presents that we, Austin Thompson and William Hays, are held and firmly bound unto his Excellency the Governor of Kentucky, in the 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 December 1797.  The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage shortly intended between the above bound Austin Thompson and Sarah Sandusky, 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.

Austin Thompson, William H. Hays

Witness, Moses Rice

I do hereby certify that a marriage was solemnized in the month of December 1797 between Austin Thompson and Sarah Sandusky, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Christian Church by me, given under my hand this 7th day of December 1798.                          Thomas Kyle