United States, Court Bonds - International Institute

Bonds
A bond is a legal instrument (under seal) by which an individual binds himself, his heirs, executors, or administrators to pay a certain sum of money to another if the required acts are not carried out (or not done) in the required manner and time. If the requirements of the bond are not fulfilled, then the bond money is forfeited. Bonds were (and still are) secured by bondsmen. The sureties (bondsmen) were generally relatives or others closely associated with our ancestors.

Types of Bonds
Bonds have been required for many situations including (but not to the exclusion of others):


 * Administrative bond—a guarantee to accurately settle the administration of an estate.


 * Appeal bond—a bond required to cover costs of appeal in civil cases.


 * Bail bond—a three party bond which involves the state, the accused, and a surety. The surety guarantees the state that the accused will appear at subsequent proceedings.


 * Bastardy bonds—a promise by the father of an illegitimate child to pay support for that child.


 * Contract bond—a guarantee of the faithful performance of a construction contract.

Naturalization of James Harman Lloyd




 * Executor’s bond—a bond that an executor of an estate must furnish in order to serve as the administrator of an estate.


 * Guardian bonds—a promise to carry out the duties of managing the estate of a minor, an incompetent, or of a free person of color. Guardian bonds often provide the name of a deceased parent.


 * Marriage bonds―a bond that a groom and at least one bondsman furnished ensuring that no legal impediments existed to the proposed marriage.

Tery G. Goss, a poor orphan, was bound out to John F. McElroy on 2 March 1857.

Although a valuable record because it provides yet another bit of information about our ancestors, bonds provide little in the way of family relationships.