The next couple of posts are going to be in regards to our Great-grandmother, Amanda (Warren) Goodwin. Information on Amanda is pretty scarce, but I will share what I have found. Amanda was the first wife of Felix Grundy Goodwin and mother to John Thomas Goodwin. One actual document that I have found is the marriage bond for the couple and I thought I would post it for you all to check out. I am not sure how clear the scan will come through, but I have transcribed everything that it says below.
Marriage "bonds" were common during this time period, particularly in southern or mid-atlantic states well into the nineteenth century. The groom and a suitable bondsman (often times a relative of the bride or groom) would pledge an amount (usually dictated by law) to an official as a guarentee that there were no legal reasons why the couple could not marry. Some of those reasons were if neither of the individuals was of legal age to marry, if one or the other were already married, or if they were too closely related as per their jurisdictions laws.
The amount pledged would be forfeited only if there proved to be a legal reason that the couple could not marry. If there were no legal impediments, the bond amount would be "null and void", even if the wedding did not take place due to other reasons. In many jurisdictions, the marriage bond would stay in effect for a year or two after the wedding in case any illegality should come to light.
Use of the marriage bond began to fade in the mid to late 1800's. What I have gathered, the date on the marriage bond is usually a day or two before the actual wedding. In this particular bond, I see that Felix used a W.H. Tomlinson as his bondsman, but I have no idea if he was a friend or possibly a relative of Amanda's.
You, or either of you, are hereby authorized to solemnize the Rites of Marriage between F. G. Goodwin and Amanda Warren, of our county, agreeably to the direction of the Act of Assembly in such case made and provided, PROVIDED ALWAYS, that the rite of matrimony be solemnized in this county, otherwise these shall be null and void, and shall not be accounted any license or authority to you, or either of you, for the purpose of aforesaid, more than though the same had never been prayed or granted, etc.
Given at the clerk's office of said county, this 21st day of June, 1884.
Signed: G M Rogers, county court clerk.
Know all men that we, F. G. Goodwin and W. H. Tomlinson of the county of Humphreys and state of Tennessee are held and firmly bound unto the state of Tennessee in the sum of twelve hundred and fifty dollars, to which payment well and truly to be made, we bind our heirs, executors and administrators, and each and every one of us and them, both jointly and severally, firmly by these presents.
Witness our hands and seals the 21st day of June, 1884.
The condition of the above obligation is such THAT WHEREAS F.G. Goodwin hath prayed and obtained License to marry n.Amanda Warren.
Now if there shall not hereafter appear any lawful cause why the said F. G. Goodwin and Amanda Warren should not be joined together in Holy Matrimony as husband and wife, than this obligation to be paid and of no effect, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.
Signed by: F. G. Goodwin and W. H. Tomlinson
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