While no one likes to have a bastard ancestor, making mistakes is part of the human condition. Bastardy bonds were a means of holding the father or mother of the child responsible for the child’s support. If the mother refused to name the father, she was held responsible for the costs. Sometimes court records fill the void of missing bonds, since the mother and father were brought to court as part of the process.
As far as I know, only two Guilford County bastardy bonds survive from the 1700’s. Given the destruction of court records in 1781, we are fortunate to have those two bonds. The rest of the surviving bonds for Guilford are from 1816-1874, 1877, and 1923.
The bastardy bonds were microfilmed by LDS in 1995 and 1996 and are available on microfilm through the Family History Centers. The original bonds for Guilford County are kept in the Search Room at the North Carolina State Archives, under catalog numbers C.R.046.102.1 – C.R.046.102.3.
Guilford County NCGenWeb page on Vital Records
Guilford County Bastardy Bond Images
Father, Mother, Bond Date (some with images), or Court Minutes;
bond dates in red indicate an image in the folder shown above
James Lett, Jr. + Elizbth. Vowel (previously read as Donel/Donnell) ~ 7 Feb 1779 bond
Ludwick Throneberry + Mary Farmer ~ 15 Feb 1779 bond
“Ordered that James Carnahan (alias Doherty) a base born child be bound to Sarah Carnahan until he arrives to the age of twenty one years ” ~ Feb Term 1782, page 17
“Ordered that Robert Mitchel a base born child aged two years be bound to Malachiah Reeves until he arrive to the age of twenty one years ” ~ Feb Term 1782, page 18
Ordered that John Cook a base born child be bound to William Trainer until he arrive to the age of Twenty one years to learn the art & mystery of a carpenter” ~ Aug Term 1782, page 36
Ordered that John Carter a base born child be bound to Thomas Kasee [Casey or Causey?] until he arrive to the age of 21 years to learn the art & mystery of a black Smith” ~ Aug Term 1782, page 36
On motion, James Hood a base born child supposed to be seven years old is bound unto William Caldwell until he shall arrive to the age of Twenty one years to learn the art & mystery of a Saddler, the said William Caldwell giving Bond & Security not to carry the said apprentice out of the County without leave of the Court in the sum of £300″ ~ Aug Term, page 36 ~ see also Nov Term 1783, page 74
On motion John Hood a base born child supposed to be five years old is bound to Thomas Owen until he arrive to the age of Twenty one years He the said Owen giving Security in the sum of £300 not to carry the said apprentice out of the County without leave of the Court.” ~ Aug Term, page 36
“James Wilson being bound to appear to this Court for Bastardy, appeared accordingly & gave Security [to] keep the said Child clear of any expense to the County” ~ Aug Term 1783, page 68
“Phebe Carner Came into open Court and made Oath that she is pregnate with Child and the Same when born is likely to be a bastard and that George Brown is the father of the Same” ~ Aug Term 1785, page 167
“Ordered that Tabitha Burnet a base born Mulatto Child of Phebe Burnet aged one year about the 1st of May last be bound to Robert Kimmins until she arrive to the age of 21 years to Learn the art & Calling of a spinster and the said Kimmons to give Security for not taking the Said apprentice out of the County” ~ Aug Term 1785, page 167
“Ordered that Abigail a base born child of Mary Cathron aged three months be bound to James Cathron until she arrives to the age of eighteen years” ~ Nov Term 1785, page 177
“Ordered that Thomas Bowin pay Mary Calhoon Six pounds on Condition she the said Mary take good care of a Bastard child for one year which she hath charged the said Bowen of” ~ Nov Term 1785, page 179
“Ordered that Abigal Calhoon alias Bower a base Born Child of Mary Calhoon aged 1 year the 10th day of Instan[t] be bound to James Calhoon until she arrives to the age of Eighteen years” ~ Aug Term 1786, page 215
“Ordered that Minter Cole a base born Child of Dolla Cole aged two years the Twelfth day of July last be bound to Elizabeth Linegar until she arrive to the age of Twenty one years” ~ Nov Term 1786, page 232
“The State vs. John Maxwell } recognizance for Basterdy appeared gave bond & discharged” ~ Nov Term 1786, page 232
“Ordered that Sarah Hays a bastard Child of Jean Hays aged Eleven years next June be bound to Adam Lackey until she arrives to the age of eighteen years” ~ Nov Term 1786, page 236
“Ordered that Seth Hays a Bastard Child of Jane Hays aged Seven years last February be bound to Mary Blear until he arrives to the age of Twenty one years” ~ Nov Term 1786, page 236
“Ordered by the Court that Daniel Allen give security in the Sum of fifty pounds to indemnify the County of Guilford as to the maintenance of a bastard male child charged against him to be begotten on the body of Delea Martin Spinster who produced Capt. Nath’s. Williams & John Allen Securities who was approved of & entered into bond accordingly” ~ Nov Term 1786, page 237
“Ordered that John Conner a base borne Child of Cumphert [Comfort] Moore be bound unto Isaac White until he arrives to the age of Twenty one year to learn the art & mistery of Shoe makers Traid & to learn to read and write” ~ May Term 1787, page 262
“Charles Lynch Terrel is bound in the sum of fifty pounds for the maintenance of a Bastard child begotten on the body of Mary Johnston Thomas Searcy Security ~ Aug Term 1787, page 283
“Ordered that Delilah Collins a natural born child aged seven years be bound unto Jesse Reeves untill she arrive to the age of 18 years & that the said Jesse Reeves is to give said apprentice one cow and calf and Spinning Wheel” ~ Feb Term 1788, page 316
“Ordered that Elizabeth Shaw a base born child aged fifteen months be bound to Abraham McElhatton until she arrive to the age of eighteen” ~ Feb Term 1788, page 319
Ordered that Wm. Simmons pay Martha Miller seven pounds the balance of Ten pounds for the purpose of assisting her in raising a Bastard Child which he is charged on oath of begetting on her body in one month from the date” ~ May Term 1788, page 334
“On motion of John Williams Esqr. Atto. for Martha Miller ordered that the Natural born female child of which William Simmons is the Reputed father be named Rebeckah Simmons agreeable to an Act of the General Assembly in such case made &c” ~ May Term 1788, page 334
[I will add more records as I find them. See the records linked to the court records page.]
James Hendricks + Polly Early/Jurly ~ 22 May 1816 bond
Thomas Lane/Lain + Elizabeth Jourdan [Jordan] ~ 22 Aug 1816 bond
Charles Bland + Polly Hobbs ~ 24 Aug 1816 bond
Benjamin Nutt + Catherine May ~ 19 Nov 1816 bond
(father unnamed) + Jane Forbis ~ 7 May 1817 bond ~ child: Levi Forbis ~ see 18 Aug 1818 bond
James McBride + Sarah Whittenton ~ 22 May 1817 bond
James Grissum + Sophia Griffin ~ 22 May 1817 bond
Solomon Lowder + Mary Parsons ~ 22 May 1817 bond
Eli Hutson + Sophia Neese ~ 22 May 1817 bond
James Kirkman + Amy Tucker ~ 21 Aug 1817 bond
Caleb Storey + Peggy Andrew ~ 22 Aug 1817 bond
Joseph Lovett, Jr. + Sally Hubbard ~ 21 Nov 1817 bond
David Kerr + Betsy Weatherly ~ 19 Feb 1818 bond
Joel Hoggatt + Mary Meredith ~ 19 Feb 1818 bond
Arthur Bland + Polly Aydelott ~ 21 May 1818 bond
Ellis Hoskins + Sally Benbow ~ 21 May 1818 bond
Samuel Coble + Susannah Swing ~ 21 May 1818 bond
Meredith Pearce + Rachel Marten ~ 21 May 1818 bond
Wm. Montgomery + Jane Forbis ~ 18 Aug 1818 bond
Elias Brown + Sally Nicks ~ 19 Nov 1818 bond
Hance McCain Jr. + Belacy Reid ~ 19 Nov 1818 bond
John Nicholson + Jincy Cox ~ 19 Nov 1818 bond ~ Nicholson appealed
John Wanock + Welmouth Whit ~ 19 Nov 1818 bond
Anderson Herald + Mary Pain ~ 19 Nov 1818 bond
Wallace W. Linal + Polly Buller ~ 21 Nov 1818 bond
Samuel Rose + Betsey Weaver ~ 18 Feb 1819 bond
William Jessop Jr. + Hannah Edwards ~ 18 Feb 1819 bond
James Sapp + Margaret Widoss [Widdows?] ~ 18 Feb 1819 bond
David Burney + Beckey Green ~ 18 Feb 1819 bond
Jacob Greeson + Susanna Betts ~ 18 Feb 1819 bond ~ “Judgt Augt Term 1822” written across
Andrew Whicker + Susannah Wright ~ 20 May 1819 bond
Saml. Wolfington + Elizabeth Elkins ~ 20 May 1819 bond
Ralph Gorrell + Deborah Davis ~ 19 Aug 1819 bond
Willie Browning + Jennet Trollinger ~ 20 Aug 1819 bond
John Pritchett + Sally Whittington ~ 20 Aug 1819 bond
Caleb Dewese + Polly Simpson ~ 15 Nov 1819 bond
John Ballinger + Bedsey Jones ~ 19 Nov 1819 bond
George Suddoth + Naomi Driskell ~ 24 Feb 1820 bond
Squire Gray + Jane Sane ~ 24 Feb 1820 bond
Richd. H. Stanly + Betsy Knight ~ 25 Feb 1820 bond ~ Stanly appealed apparently. See 2nd bond dated 24 Nov 1821. Reference: Richard H. Stanly vs. Jacob Rodgers file, 26 Oct. 1825.
James Ozment + Nancy Odom ~ 15 May 1820 bond
Gregory Hightower + Annie Montgomery ~ 16 May 1820 bond
David Archer + Mary Frazier ~ 18 May 1820 bond
Ellis Hoskins + Rhoda Covey ~ 19 May 1820 bond
Samuel Farmer + Eve May ~ 19 May 1820 bond
James Hill + Nancy Denney ~ 22 Aug 1820 bond
Thomas Petegrew + Mary May ~ 26 Aug 1820 bond
John Spoon, Jr. + Elizabeth Montgomery ~ 26 Aug 1820 bond
Jesse McCuistion + Elizabeth Gibson ~ 20 Nov 1820 bond
(father not named) + Betsy Griffin ~ 23 Jan 1821 bond ~ Betsy refused to name the father
Charles Bland + Catherine Shelley ~ 24 Feb 1821 bond
John Endsley + Nelly Cooper ~ 24 Feb 1821 bond
(father unnamed) + Letha White ~ 2 May 1821 bond ~ refused to name the father
(father unnamed) + Sarah Hinchy [Hinshaw?] ~ 17 May 1821 bond ~ refused to name the father
John Winchester + Sidney Work ~ 24 May 1821 bond
Jacob Elliott + Polly Clapp ~ 25 May 1821 bond
Laben Rogers + Mary Bunday ~ 25 May 1821 bond
James Coltrain [Coltrane] + Abigail Frazier ~ 20 Aug 1821 bond
Jona Jenkins + Mary Davis ~ 23 Aug 1821 bond
Isaac Leonard + Alezana Frazier ~ 23 Aug 1821 bond
Nathan Wiley + Sally McClain ~ 24 Aug 1821 bond
William Apple + Betsy Loys ~ 23 Nov 1821 bond
Solomon Potter + Martha Furguson [Ferguson] ~ 23 Nov 1821 bond
Samuel Thompson + Christian Parker ~ 23 Nov 1821 bond
Thomas Tindal + Sarah Richeson ~ 23 Nov 1821 bond
Richard H. Stanley + Betsey Knight ~ 24 Nov 1821 bond (second bond; first dated 25 Feb 1820)
Thomas Ozment + Sally Lowery ~ 23 Feb 1822 bond
John Phipps + Nancy Ledenham ~ 22 May 1822 bond
Zachariah Hyatt + Mary Johnson ~ 24 May 1822 bond
Isaac Stuart + Rebeca Garmon ~ 24 May 1822 bond
William Wood + Ann Benson ~ 24 May 1822 bond ~ receipt for costs of suit, and bond
Robert Thompson + Peggy Murry ~ 22 Aug 1822 bond
Tobias Clapp + Charlotta Helton/Hilton ~ 23 Aug 1822 bond
William Fitts + Ann Adkinson ~ 23 Aug 1822 bond
Samuel Hilton + Betsy Carroll ~ 24 Aug 1822 bond
Absalom Lamb + Jemima Robinson ~ 24 Aug 1822 bond
Adam Apple + Sally Petigrew ~ 19 Nov 1822 bond
William Apple + Jane Brown ~ 19 Nov 1822 bond
John Hiatt + Rachel Chipman ~ 22 Nov 1822 bond
Daniel Sheppard + Polly Hutson ~ 23 Nov 1822 bond
[to be continued; no photos yet for 1823 forward]
