Marriage Bonds

[otahuna]

I have found the following reference in the Marriage Bonds index on NLW site and am wondering if anyone can tell me whether any more information is likely to be contained in this file than I already have from the IGI.

GIBBON , John, bach., Goytre, MON. 1807, April 14. At G. Mary Lewis. A, B. 100/61.

[Marmaduke 123]

Hi Otahuna

I've just seen your post. I had a copy of a marriage bond from 1812 from the NLW. There was another person as well as the groom jointly bound with him for quite a large sum of money. In my case he wasn't a relative, but he might be!

It is quite nice to have as it has the grooms actual signature.

Interestingly, my couple didn't marry at the time but married five years later by banns in Bristol, although they seem to have lived in Pontypool. The bride was about seven months pregnant and she and the baby both died a few months later.

I think I have read somewhere that marriage bonds were sometimes thought of as being as good as an actual marriage!

Anne

[behindthefrogs]

In 1807 the actual parish register entry may be of a little more use as it will contain the names of the witnesses and the person who married them.

David

[otahuna]

Many thanks for your replies.

Averil