Bonds were and remain universally required in guardianships, since in those one person is given charge of the assets of another.  Through such bonds the world was assured that whatever the ward had would be protected.  The court has always had the power and authority to waive that requirement, however in the past courts did not do so as readily as today, since it was so very easy - and not uncommon - for scofflaws to sneak off to the frontier and disappear forever.  

It is not genealogy 101; many folks do not understand the reasons.  There were bonds for many purposes.  Paul      
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jim Cary 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2004 11:27 PM
  Subject: Bonds


  This question is probably genealogy 101 for most of you, but I'm wondering
  why someone would need to post a bond, if they were appointed guardian by
  the court, if that child was an orphan; what was the purpose of the bond?

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