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From: <>
Subject: [NJHUNTER-L] Marriage Bond - Amwell, Hunterdon Co., NJ
Date: Mon, 9 Aug 1999 21:50:27 EDT

I just received a copy of a marriage bond for the marriage of Obadiah Evans
and Sarah Coleman in 1772 in Amwell Twp., Hunterdon Co., NJ. It is signed by
Obadiah Evins and Jacob Johnson. In parts of the document the writing is
very faint, but it appears a sum of five hundred pounds was involved as
payment to "William Franklin, Esq., Captain, General and Governor in Chief of
New Jersey".

Does anyone know the purpose of issuing marriage bonds? Was the money
actually paid, or was it a promise to pay if the marriage broke up? The
amount of five hundred pounds seems extremely high. Who would issue the
marriage bonds, the groom's parents or the bride's, or both, or perhaps a
family friend?

I am assuming that Obadiah was the name of the father as well as the son,
since the Obadiah whom married Sarah Coleman, named his son, Obadiah, but I
do not know where the name Jacob Johnson would come from. It is interesting
to note that Obadiah and Sarah's granddaughter, Mary, married Mahlon
Johnston/Johnson.

If anyone could help, I would appreciate it greatly.

Bud Myers

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