Why do only certain Virginia marriage bonds have the phrase "who consents" as part of the bond? Is this because one or the other person getting married was under a certain age? If yes, what age? I have noticed that although consent is most often given for daughters by a parent, not all females have a consent. Also, I have noticed that there is an occasional male that has someone giving consent (for example, the person giving consent is a guardian). Why also is it that some bonds have a "witness to consent"? or even if consent is given, has the phrase "who testifies ..(each, both, she/he).. is of age? What were the laws for getting marriage bonds in Virginia prior to the 1850s? Thank you for any help in deciphering these bonds! Families being researched in Franklin County: PETERS, HALE, SIGMON/SIGMAN, WINGFIELD