The current discussion on the list concerning the nature of marriage bonds in Virginia has made me look again at my photocopy of the Franklin Co., Virginia bond for the marriage of Robert Bond to Anny Starkey, probably dated 15 OCT 1796. I cannot read some of the wording and thought that since the language is mainly formulas someone might be able to fill in the problem places for me. This is my best transcription. The succession of xxxxx's are places where words have been stricken out. ********** Know all men by these presents that we xxxxxxx Robert Bond & Samuel Ozburn are Held and firmly bound unto Robert Brook Esquire Governor or(?) Chief Magistrate of The State of Virginia in the sum of one Hundred dollars Current money of Virginia to Which payment well and truly to be Made We bind ourselves our Heirs &(?) fundy(?) by these presents sealed with our Seale and Dated the 15th day of October 179? [last digit unreadable] The CONDITION of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage Shortly Intended to be Had & Solemnized betweeen the above Bound Robert Bond & Anny Starkey Now if there shall be no lawfull Cause to obstruct the said Marriage xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx then the above obligation to xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx be Void else to remain in full force & Virtue xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Robert Bond Joshua Starkey ********** 1) When was Robert Brook governor of Virginia? Was the governor also the chief magistrate of Virginia? Why the wording "Governor or Chief Magistrate?" If one and the same, I would expect "Governor and Chief Magistrate" but the word betweeen the two terms does not seem to be "and." 2) The last digit of the date has unfortunately been lost in the fold of the paper. The ascender of the number 6 may be present, but not the bowl. That is the only number that I can think of that it might be. Was Robert Brook still governor on Oct. 15, 1796? 3) I have found no word "fundy" in the dictionaries. Can anyone give me a legal formula that would match "We bind ourselves our Heirs ++++++++ by these presents, etc.?" 4) Finally, why would Samuel Ozburn and Robert Bond be sureties for the bond and yet, it is not signed by Samuel Ozburn, but rather by Joshua Starkey?