This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Jones Carr Bond Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/GBC.2ACE/485.2 Message Board Post: HI, In response to your posting regarding bastardy bonds, now that I have been enlightened somewhat, bastardy bonds were apparently a penalty or fine placed on a woman for having a child while in an unmarried state. I will do more research and see when this practice of penalty was discontinued. Women weren't thought much of in those days, and on just about the same level as slaves, who were property of the owners, and in some cases abused. Owners were sometimes killed by their slaves, with good reason, no doubt. Ruth