Today I announce the publication of my seventeenth paperback book – Early Washington County Marriage Bonds, Consents and Minister Returns 1792-1796 – on Amazon (search name of book or Phyllis Brown genealogy books).  I have pondered on this book for some time.  Years ago, while at the Washington County Clerk’s Office, I made copies of all the original marriage records from 1792-1804.  At the time I was concerned that all my ancestors – from my dad and mom’s families – were in Washington County from approximately 1785-1860.  My Hill’s were from Garrard County until 1854.  I wanted a record of those early marriages, and thought they would come in handy at a later date.  Once I started writing genealogy books I knew I would use these one day.  But once I put the copies into the book they were difficult to read.  John Reed, the first County Clerk for Washington County had beautiful handwriting!  But the contrast didn’t do justice.  Earlier this month Ritchey and I returned to the courthouse and I took photos of each record.  So much easier to read!  And that beautiful handwriting is lovely!

The book is 284 pages, and includes 154 marriages.  It includes the marriage bonds, marriage consents and minister returns.  The first piece of information is the marriage bond.  The groom, along with a friend or relative asked the clerk for a marriage license and signed a bond promising to pay 50 pounds if the marriage could not go through (usually due to underage status or bigamy).  134 bonds are included.

The second piece is a marriage consent – most generally for the bride, but if the groom was young he may have a consent from his parents or guardian.  103 consents are included.

Once the marriage bond is signed a marriage license is given to the groom.  This was taken to the minister as proof the couple could marry according to law.  I found none of these in Washington County.

After the minister married the couple, he returned to the county clerk and signed a statement that he had performed the marriage.  105 marriage returns are included.  

There are not all three pieces of information available for all marriages.  A few have only the minister return to show a marriage took place.

The five ministers that performed marriages in the early days of Washington County were as follows:

Baldwin Clifton – Baptist – He gathered the Hardin’s Creek Church in 1789 and Pitman’s Creek Church in 1791.

Thomas Kyle – Methodist – He was a Revolutionary War veteran, born in Pennsylvania, who moved his family to Washington County in 1802, although he was in Washington County by 1795 when he performed marriages.

Barnabas McHenry – Methodist – He was a highly influential early Methodist preacher who served the Kentucky frontier and had close ties to the Washington County area.

Joseph Milburn – Baptist – He was ordained at Pottinger’s Creek in Nelson County and served as pastor of Cartwright’s Creek Church in 1799 and 1800 before locating in Indiana.

Terah Templin – Presbyterian – He was the first ordained Presbyterian minister in Kentucky.  He was engaged to be married but his bride-to-be died a few weeks before the marriage took place.  He never married, devoting his life to the Lord.

Many early settlers signatures are in these documents – parents of those marrying, witnesses, etc.  Mordecai Lincoln was a witness for one consent.  And Mrs. Ann Jarboe ‘has consented at last’ for her daughter to marry!

I am very proud of this book and hope it will help many of you find proof of your ancestor’s marriages in Washington County.