I've pasted below my transcription of the Delaware marriage bond, dated December 10, 1820 and providing for the marriage of John A. WHORTON [WHARTON?] and Elazebeth [Elizabeth?] FREEMAN. I believe the copy that I worked from to have been a true copy of the bond. The copy includes the reference, "Marriage Reords, vol. [?] 44, p. [?] 193." The Genealogy Trails website, http://genealogytrails.com/del/sussex/sussexmarriages-W.html, carries an index listing for what seems to be the same bond under the heading, "Sussex County, Delaware Marriages 1645-1899, FHL Film Number 0006416-0006422" (submitted by Barb Ziegenmeyer). In the transcription, I've designated the handwritten entries on the bond form as **XX** (with XX as the handwritten entry). Bear in mind that what one sees in handwriting is in the eye of the beholder. Another reviewer might read the entries differently. The bond was made out to "Jacob Stout," as "Governour and Commander in chief of the State of Delaware." According to Russell Pickett's "Delaware Governors" website, Jacob STOUT was Delaware's 22nd governor. He was born "near Leipsic, De." The Delaware Governors website indicates that Governor Stout was a Federalist and a Presbyterian.The website further indicates that he married Angelica KILLEN in 1795 and that together they had five children, with associated family names of REED and SIPPLE. The transcription follows. I welcome feedback [I have Delaware Wharton, Freeman, and Benson ancestors.] Dave Kearney _______________ KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT WE, **John A. Whorton and Kindle West Both of Sussix County and state of Delaware** are firmly held and bound unto **Jacob Stout** Governour and Commander in chief of the State of Delaware, in the sum of **five** hundred pounds, good and lawful money of America, to be paid to the said **Jacob Stout** Esq. or his successors; to the which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves jointly and severally, for and in the whole, our heirs, executors and administrators firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals....Dated the **Tenth** day of **December** in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and **Twenty** The Condition of this Obligation is such, That if there shall not hereafter appear any lawful let or impediment, by reason of any pre-contract, consanguinity, affinity, or any other just cause whatsoever, but that the above mentioned **John A. Whorton and Elazebeth Freeman of the same place** may lawfully marry; and that there is not any suit depending before any judge, ecclesiastical or civil, for or concerning any such pre-contract; and alo [sic] if the said parties, and each of them, are of the ages following; to wit:: female of eighteen, and male of twenty-one years; and are not under the tuition of his or her parents, or have the full consent of his or her parents or guardians respectively, to the said marriage, and if they or either of them are not indented servants; and do and shall save harmless and keep indemnified the above named **Jacob Stout** Esq. and his successors, for and concerning the premises; and shall likewise save harmless and keep indemnified the clergyman or minister who shall join the said parties in matrimony, for or by reason of his so doing .. then this obligation to be void, or else to stand and remain in full force and virtue. **John A. Whorton** [sealed] **Kindle West** [sealed] Sealed and delivered } in the presence of: } **George Benson** **John W. Dirickson**