> So I would expect these other two to be brothers-in-law or sons-in-law of the >primary person. It's not a guarentee, it's just something to check out. >Will Johnson > >"<<Could someone explain for me, please, the workings of a Bond of >Administration. The document in question relates to Richard Argus who died >intestate in Cornwall in 1769. His son Thomas Argus, yeoman, John Beard, >yeoman, and John Coppin, yeoman, were bound to pay the sum of forty pounds >to the Archdeacon of Cornwall. I understand that this was a default payment >if the estate was not wound up satisfactorily. The estimated value of the estate was 20 pounds, so the bond was for double the estimate in case of default. The bondsmen often will be some sort of kinsmen, or very good friends indeed. They are there to guarantee that Thomas A will produce an inventory of the goods within the year, and also detail any necessary expenditure. If he fails to do so, they are laible - which is why some casual acquaintance would not do it. -- Eve McLaughlin Author of the McLaughlin Guides for family historians Secretary Bucks Genealogical Society