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. I can understand why Thomas Argus was involved but why might John Beard and John Coppin have been signatories to this document? Many thanks, Bob Argus Australia