I note from a book at the LOVa on "old" marriages that several ministers were 
sometimes referred to as "Elder" on marriage bonds.  A pair of 28 Feb 1844 
marriages bonds in Campbell Co., VA seem to have been for a "double 
wedding" (that was ultimately held on 16 May 1844).  Elizabeth A. Davidson 
married a Mr. Bagby, and Paulina Davidson married a Mr. Diuguid, and "Elder" 
Samuel Davidson was listed on the marriage bonds as the father.  In addition, 
however, "Elder" John Chambers Hamner was listed as the minister (though he 
was shown as "Reverend" on some other marriage bonds).  Does the above 
designation/title of "Elder" for Samuel Davidson necessarily imply that he was 
ALSO a minister?

There were two unrelated (apparently) Samuel Davidsons of about the same 
age in Campbell Co., VA in the 1840s, and one WAS a minister (Reverend 
Samuel Davidson married Frances Oglesby in 1802, and he was the pastor of 
Red Oak Baptist Church from about 1815 until about 1855).  Some clues 
suggest, however, that the above two brides MIGHT very well have been the 
daughters of the OTHER Samuel Davidson in Campbell Co., VA (he married 
Elizabeth Thornhill in 1813, and as far as I can tell, he was not a minister).  
The 1840 census is inconclusive as to which man was the father of these two 
woman (the age ranges of the females in the home of each man don't seem to 
exactly agree with the ages of both of these brides, but at least the Samuel 
Davidson who married Miss Thornhill had two apparent daughters....where the 
Reverend had only one female in his home in 1840, other than his wife, if we 
can believe the census).  Could the use of "Elder" for Samuel Davidson have 
simply meant that he was an elder in his church (but not a minister), despite 
the fact that the same designation was used for the minister on the above 
two marriage bonds?  On the other hand, if the father WAS, in fact, the 
Reverend who married Miss Oglesby, I wonder why he would not have 
performed this double ceremony himself (was there any prohibition against 
that)?  Thanks!

To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at
http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html