Steve,

Good question and astute observation. Others may have a different take on this. My take is that we really should first read records for what they say, and in  this case "Bachelor" meaning he had not been previously married. If had been previously married, the bond would often state "widower."  In this case, I think it is all clearly spelled out.  Of course I have no way of knowing if this man was previously married or not, so context does matter.

Craig Kilby

On May 31, 2013, at 1:35 PM, Steve Craig wrote:

> Hello,
> 
> I have been an amateur genealogist for nearly 40 years and recently ran across a marriage record in Bedford County that strikes me as unusual (see below).  I have seen spinster noted many times, but I don't recall seeing batchelor [sic] listed following a groom's name.  I am wondering if others might be able to shed light on the use of the term in this marriage record.  Thank you for your help.
> 
> Steve
> 
> Nathaniel Morris, batchelor [sic] m. Ann Morris, spinster, 28 Jul 1772. Samuel Morris, surety
> 
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