Dear Jeff, From Court House books entitled "Orphan Records or Books" I have read like descriptions and surmise that the children have been orphaned and that the person posting the bond pledges that he will clothe, feed, and educate the child until the child reaches his majority in lieu of wages for his toil. I look at it as "Bonded Servitude" but I guess it was better than being thrown out in the cold with no roof over your head. Michael Lee Busby/AL mailto:MBusby3237@aol.com