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hey folks :-)

Ive got a copy of my ancestors marriage license, "jeremiah steel" married to mary hudson

and they had a "bondsman" could anyone explain why you would have a bondsman?

jeremiah was 20 when he married they married in 1761, says on the license "a sum of fifty pounds" im guessing thats a lot in the year 1761..

the two witnesses were a jeffrey frost he was the bondsman.. and a john brough diocese?

any information would be great!


thanks in advance

pete :-)

bondsman or surety - person legally liable for the debt or default of another; they are shown as such on early marriage bonds

marriage bond - document binding parties to pay a sum of money if the obligation of marriage is not performed; used in colonial era; usually paid by the father, brother or a relative of a bride; posted before a license could be issued

where did this marriage take place?

Jeremiah Steel
England, Cheshire Parish Registers, 1538-2000
residence: 04 Apr 1761 ,? Saltersford-?cum-?Kettleshulme,? Cheshire,? England
marriage: 04 Apr 1761 Prestbury,? Cheshire,? England
spouse: Mary Hudson


name: Jeremiah Steel
event: Marriage
event date: 04 Apr 1761
event place: Prestbury, Cheshire, England
gender: Male
spouse: Mary Hudson
digital folder number: 4018862

Jeremiah Steel
England, Cheshire, Marriage Bonds and Allegations, 1606-1900
birth: 1741
residence: 04 Apr 1761 Allstonefield,? Stafford
marriage: Prestbury
other: 04 Apr 1761
parents: John Brough
spouse: Mary Hudson


name: Jeremiah Steel
event: Intended marriage
event date: 04 Apr 1761
residence: Allstonefield, Stafford
gender: Male
age: 20
marital status: Batchelor
father: John Brough
spouse: Mary Hudson
spouse's residence: Wildboorclough, Prestbury, Chester
spouse's age: 21
spouse's marital status: Spinster
digital folder number: 4018428

hey ann :-) you ok?


thanks for the info, yes i always thought john brough was the father as shown above but its incorrect, the information I have is listed his father as jonathan steel, ive not looked for any information on jonathan steel..

john brough is shown as a witness a diocese of chester?

its show in prestbury st peter register :-)

Hi there Pete - I'm fine thanks - nice to see your smiling face again!!

lots of John's but no Jonathon

haha thanks :-)


mmmm, will have a look see if I can find a jonathan...


I see you live in cardiff? I live in mid wales, near newtown

not been there - are you going to the Royal Welsh this week?

Is John Brough definitely a witness or is that the name of the clergyman who performed the service? Or, maybe he was representing the Diocese of Chester in some capacity. :-S