I have a question that I know one of you out there can probably answer. What did it mean to sign a bond on a child in the early 1800's. I am researching a gentleman who had 2 children within 2 months of each other. 1 born to his wife and 1 to another lady. The article states that someone from his wifes family signed a bond on the other child of his. What does this mean? Dee