B is for bondsman F is for father W is for witness M could also be for minister, but that is often MG ~ minister of the gospel. JP is justice of the peace I don't know that I have even seen M for mother, but I assume if the person identified was female it certainly could. Often, however, when a father died leaving minor children, a guardian would be appointed for them until they reached majority, even if they had a mother living. Thus it was often the guardian who gave permission for younger girls to marry. However, I have also seen the mother give such permission. Carol