Elaine Acree wrote: > > I have two questions about legal terminology used in some old documents. > > 1. What does "surety" mean in a will? Example: "John Britt provided > surety". This term was used in Isle of Wight probate documents in the > 1600's. Usually, this was the bond that the administrator of the estate had to post to assure his proper handling of the estate. > > 2. What does "security" mean in a marriage record? Example: "Jesse Britt > married Ann Davis, widow. John Britt sec. (or security). This term was > used in Greene County marriage records in the 1700's. There's a good article at http://www.tngenweb.org/law/bond.htm Basically, the parties had to post bond that they were eligible to marry (of age, not presently married, etc.). > > Thank you for any assistance! > > Elaine > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at > http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html -- Jim White *** Nothing I say is a legal opinion unless that's what you're paying me for. *** Home page: http://www.jeem.net/ Fascination with words: http://www.jeem.net/wordpage.html Genealogy books: http://www.jeem.net/Books.html F&SF books currently in the stores: http://www.jeem.net/sf-fant.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html