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Currituck Co., NC Bastardy Bonds
1830 - 1871
N.C. State Archives Microfilm Reel #C.030.10002
Abstracted by Marty Holland 2000

    The purpose of bastardy bonds was to ensure that the reputed father of an illegitimate child would be financially responsible for the child. If the father failed to provide adequate support, then the child became a ward of the county or other governing body, and the father and/or other signers of the bond were required to pay the dollar amount specified on the bond. In the few cases in which the mother refused to name the father of her child, then, of course, she and anyone signing the bond with her was financially responsible for the child. Bastardy bonds nearly always named the mother and father, but rarely named the child. It was common practice for an illegitimate child to bear the surname of his or her mother; however, it was possible for a father to formally legitimate a child born out of wedlock, regardless of whether the child's natural father and mother ever married. If made legitimate through petition of the father, such a child was entitled to inherit property from his or her father, even in the case of an intestate division. In many cases, the individuals who provided securities (bondsmen or guarantors) were relatives of the father or mother, but since these relationships are not stated in the bonds, additional records must be found to verify the relationships.

    On most of these bonds, the names of the father and each of his bondsmen appear at least twice. Under the heading "Father," I have transcribed the father's name in the most complete form in which it appears on the bond, i.e. "John Smith, Jr." instead of "Jno. Smith." Under the heading "Bondsmen," I have transcribed the father's name as he signed it, and have transcribed the other bondsmen's names in their most complete forms.

Bastardy Bonds

  Date Name of Father in Most Complete Form Mother Signature of Father, and Complete Names of Bondsmen $ Amt. Comments

1 July 23 1830 Dozier, Tully L. Phillips, Nancey Dozier, Tully L.
Bell, Cartright
Wilkins, Willis
Hall, Spence
Etheridge, Caleb
500
 
2 Aug 31 1830 Gregory, Elijah Miller, Dorcas Gregory, Elijah
Lindsey, John
Lindsey, Daniel Jr.
500  
3 Dec 1 1830 Lindsey, Daniel Barfoot Taylor, Julia Lindsey, D. Bf.
Lindsey, Daniel Jr.
Hughs, John W.
200  
4 May 30 1831 Best, Nickodemus Green, Mary Best, Nickodemus (x)
Lindsey, Daniel Jr.
Toler, Mathias
£100  
5 May 30 1831 Rodgers, Hiram Gallop, Mary Rodgers, Hiram (x)
Best, Joseph
Perry , Josiah Junr.
200  
6 Aug 30 1831 Wilkins, Willis Gregory, Nancey Wilkins, W.
Etheridge, Wm. C.
Nash, Wilson G.
200

 
7 May 28 1832 Powers, D. J. T. Wright, Patsey Powers, D. J. T. (x)
Powers, Moses B.
Rudder, Alfred
200  
8 Nov 26 1832 Baum, Joseph Best, Sally Baum, Joseph (x)
Chaplain, Caleb T.
Hall, Spence
200

 
9 Feb 25 1833 Chaplain, Edmund L. Green, Cynthia Chaplain, E. L.
Chaplain, Caleb T.
Harrison, Joshua
500

 
10 May 27 1833 Melson, Elijah Sikes, Peggy Melson, Elijah (x)
Lindsey, Daniel Jr.
Owens, Zachariah
500

Inserted remark: "is with child" instead of "has lately been delivered."
11 May 27 1833 Dowdy, Donason Loman (?), Sabrey Dowdy, Donason
Lindsey, Daniel Jr.
Gallop, Hodges
500

 
12 May 27, 1833 Northern, William Etheridge, Keziah Northern, William
Nothern, Willo. Dozier
Stack, Nicholas (x)
200

 
13 May 27 1834 Cox, John D. Powers, Betsey Cox, John D.
Wilson, William S.
Wilson, John N.
200

 
14 May 27 1833 Gordon, James Dennis, Jilosa (?) Gordon, James (x)
Gordon, Peter (x)
200

 
15 Sept 24 1834

Brabbell, James

Miller, Dorcas Brabbell, James (x)
Stephens, Enoch L.
Brabble, John Jr.
200  
16 May 26 1835 Guard, Joshua Oneal, Henereta Guard, Joshua (x)
Lebran (?), Jesse (x)
Tillott, Willoughby (x)
200

 
17 Nov 25 1833 Doxey, John L. Pettijohn, Emily Doxey, John L.
Jarvis, Samuel
Doxey, Jesse W.
Ashbee, Sol.
200  
18 Aug 31 1835 Dunton, David Dowdy, Elviry Dunton, David
Dunton, Dennis W.
Ball, Enoch
200 Dunton also written "Dunston"
19 May 26 1834 Barnard, Grandy Duncan, Fanny Barnard*, Grandy 500 *There are no signatures on this bond.
20 May 27 1834 Thomas, Aron Gordon, Betsey Case, Aron (x)
Lindsey, Jonathan J.
Sawyer, Caleb T.
200 Instead of signature for Aron Thomas is "Aron (x) Case "
21 Sept 1 1835 Morse, Littleton D. Litchfield, Jane Morse, L. D.
Morse, Tully
West, John (x)
200  
22 Nov 30 1835 Baxter, Thos. E. Gammiel, Polly Baxter, T. E.
Bray, Wallis
Mathias, Hillory
Fanshaw, Israel
200  
23 March 1 1836 Brabble, James Miller, Dorcas Brabble, James (x)
Brumsey, John (x)
Dozier, Samuel B.
200

 
24 May 31 1836 Brabbill, Jacob D. Brabbill, Merenia Brabble, Jacob D.
Brabbill, Susan (x)
Capps, Moses
200  
25 May 31 1836 Walker, Spence Cox, Elizabeth Walker, Spence
Douglass, Mark
Dunton, David
200  
26 Nov 29 1836 Brabbill, James Frost, Ann Brabbill, James (x)
Walker, Barnaba (x)
Simmons, John
200  
27 May 29 18_7 Ballance, Westley Etheridge, Sidney Ballance, Westley (x)
Ballance, Kessiah (x)
Retter, Alfred
200  
28 May 29 1837 Retter, Alfred Ballance, Mehetible Retter, Alfred
Ballance, Kessiah (x)
Ballance, Westley (x)
200  
29 May 29 1837 Culpepper, Jesse Powers, Betsey Culpepper, Jesse
Culpepper, Arthur
Powers, Sandford (x)
200

 
30 May 29 1837 Culpepper, Jesse Powers, Sarah Culpepper, Jesse
Culpepper, Arthur
Powers, Sandford (x)
200

 
31 Nov 26 1837 Marmaduke, John Gaylor, Mourning Marmaduke, John (x)
Burgess, Alfred
200  
32 (Blank) Garrett, Durant E. Culpepper, Nancy Garrett, Durant E.
Garrett, Edward
Ballance, Samuel
200  
33 Aug 28 18_8 Barnard, Grandy Duncan, Nancy Barnard, G.
B_____, Peter N.
500  
34 Feb 26 1838 Thomas, Aron Patterson, Nancey Thomas, Aron (x)
Jarvis, Saml.
Jarvis, Richard
200  
35 Aug 29 1838 Garrett, Edward Garrett, Pheba Garrett, Edward
Garrett, Durin E.
200  
36 May 28 1838 Tillett, Samuel Parker, Elizabeth Tillitt, Samuel
Guard (?), James
500  
37 Nov 27 18_8 Caffee, William Dowdy, Elvira Caffee, Wm. (x)
Griggs, Thos.
Jarvis, Richard
Baum, Abraham
200  
38 Feb 25 1839 Austin, Wm. D. Smith, Mary Austin, Wm. D.
Burgess, Alfred
Ashbee, Sol.
200

 
39 Feb 25 1839 Dunton, Leven Walker, Huldah Dunton, Leven
Williams, Thomas
Dunton, David
200  
40 Feb 26 1839 Duke, Andrew Gamel, Sally Duke, A.
Dunton, David
Lindsey, Jona. B.
Miller, Caleb Sr.
200

 
41 Aug 26 1839 Beasley, Malachi W. White, Polly Beasley, Malachi W.
Beasley, Malachi
200  
42 Aug 27 1839 Culpepper, Jesse Hodges (?), Sarah Culpepper, Jesse
Ballance, Samuel (x)
Culpepper, Arthur (x)
200  
43 July 25 1840 ONeal, Thomas Cooper, Peggy Neal, Thomas
ONeal, Sally (x)
200  
44 Aug 31 1840 Etheridge, Harry Gregory, Susan Etheridge, Harry
Cowell, Joseph
Bell, Caleb
Ferebee, James M.
200  
45 Aug 31 1840 Best, Nickodemus Barns, Heneretta Best, Nickodemus (x)
Twiford, Thomas
Etheridge, John B.
200  
46 Nov. 30 1840 Etheridge, Nathan Murrell, Betsey Etheridge, Nathan (x)
Owens, Zachariah
Gregory, Manloff
200  
47 May 31 1841 Dough, Thomas A. Quidley, Harriet Dough, Thos, A.
Sawyer, Caleb T.
Ashbee, Solo.
200  
48 Aug 31 1841 Etheridge, Tart Midgett, Nancy Etheridge, Tart
Baum, Abraham
Ashbee, Sol.
200  
49 Nov 29 1841 Munden, Thomas G. Simmons, Betsey Munden, Thomas G.
Bell, Caleb
Gray, John
200  
50 Nov 26 1843 Aydelott, Isaac T. Murrell, Polly Aydlott, Isaac T.
Baum, Solomon A.
Griggs, Thomas
200  
51 Aug 27 1844 Meekins, Isaac C. Etheridge, Margarett Meekins, Isaac C.
Etheridge, Tart
Mansfield, Marmaduke
200  
52 Aug 25 1845

Simmons, Edmund B. White, Elizabeth Ann Simmons, Edmund B.
Simmons, Caleb (x)
Morse, James W.
200  
53 Nov 29 1847 Gibbons, James M. Phelps, Susan Gibbons, James M.
Griggs, Thomas
Chaplain, Jasper (x)
200  

  Date Name of Father in Most Complete Form Mother Signature of Father, and Complete Names of Bondsmen $ Amt. Comments
54 May 29 1848 Parker, Caleb Garret, Polly Parker, Caleb (x)
Sawyer, Caleb T.
Gallop, Hodges
1,000  
55 Nov 27 1848 Taylor, Joseph Sanderlin, Susan Taylor, Joseph
Cowell, Edw. F.
Walker, Benjn. C.
Tatum, Samuel
Tatum, Jehue
Humphries, John
Forbes, Samuel
Liverman, Jno.
Additional witnesses' signatures:
Baum, A.
Gallop, Zaddock (x)
Daniels, Joseph M.
Tillett, Thomas B.
Gray, John

Jarves (?), C.J.B.
Newbern, John
Nicholson, Caleb W.
Crank, J. T.
Simmons, B. T.
200  
56

Aug 27
1849
Mercer, Wm.

Murrell, Elizabeth Mercer, Wm. (x)
Doxey, Zach.
Owens, Washington
200



57 July 27 1849 Etheridge, Amos Ansell, Elizabeth Etheridge, Amos (x)
Etheridge, William E.
Etheridge, Tart
200  
58 Aug 28 1849 Berry, Eason Miller, Euphama Berry, Eason (x)
Etheridge, Amos (x)
Wright, Jacob Francis
200  
59 Nov 27 1849 Lindsey, John B. Rand, Emiline Lindsey, John B.
Lindsey, Thomas
200  
60 July 25 1850 Fisher, Bostic Dunton, Caroline Fisher, Bostic (x)
Lindsey, Thomas
200  
61 May 28, 1850 Baum, Solomon A. Nicholson, Jemima Baum, Solomon A.
Litton (?), Amos B.
Sawyer, Jerome
400  
62 Aug 26 1850 Midgett, Watson Murrell, M__y Midgett, Watson (x)
Jarves, S. B.
Ives, Josiah (x)
Simmons, Edmund
400 Inserted remark, "fee due from Z. Hamilton"

63
Aug 26 1850 Crank, John T. Dowdy, Sarah Crank, John T.
Tillett, Thomas B.
(3rd signature faded)
(faded)  
64 Aug 26 1850 Crank, John T. ______, Patsey Crank, John T.
Tillett, Thomas B.
Bray, Benjamin
200 Mother's last name is unreadable from microfilm. It may be visible on original document.
65 Feb 24 1851 Mann, Thomas Mitchell, Ann Mann, Thos.
Jarves, William A.
Griggs, Thomas
200  
66 Feb 25 1851 Baum, Josephus Mercer, Martha Baum, Josephus
Baum, Joseph
Whitehall, Robert
200  
67 Feb 25
1851
Brinson, James Beacham, Betsy Brinson, James (x)
Gregory, Hiram (x)
200  
68 Feb 25 1851 Gregory, Hiram Taylor, Mary Gregory, Hiram (x)
Brinson, James (x)
200  
69

May 26 1851 Caroon, Clifford Hackett, Sabra Caroon, Clifford (x)
Midgett, Edward B.
Jarvis, Samuel B.
200  
70 May 26 1851 West, Willoughby Basnight (?), Emily West, Willoughby
Lee, J. B.
Lee, Moses W.
200 Mother's last name could possibly be "Bright."
71 May 31 1852 Terry, Samuel B. Brickhouse, Agatha Terry, Saml. B.
Harrison, Joshua
200



72 May 31 1853 Crank, John T. Brickhouse, Aggy Crank, John T.
Baum, Abraham
Jarvis, Samuel B.
Crank, Thomas T.
Etheridge, Tart
200  
73 May 31
1853
Mercer, Elick (?) Sawyer, Clark Mercer*, Elick (?)
McBride, Holloway D.
Ballentine, Henry
200 *There are no signatures on this bond.
74

Nov 25 1867 Lindsey, Daniel C. Sanders, Patsey Lindsey, D. C.
Doxey, Zach M.
Jarvis, Thos. J.
200  
75

Aug 29 1853 Powers, William Powers, Elizabeth Powers, William (x)
Garrett, Duren E.
Powers, Michael (?) (x)
unclear  
76

Aug 29
(blank)
Williams, Joshua Tatum (?), Margaret Williams, Joshua
Sanderson, Thos. S.
Northen, Philip
Lindsey, E. C.
200  
77 Nov 26 1855 Tillott, Josiah H. Oneal, Christian Ann Tillit, Josiah H.
Sutton, Wm. R.
Guard, William
200  
78 May 26 1856 Gallop, William Eason, Mary Gallup, William
Baxter, Thomas F.
Owens, James (x)
200  
79 Aug 31 1857 Flora, Dennis B. Berry, Betsey Flora, Dennis B.
Fanshaw, Isaac
Bell, B. C.
200  
80 Aug 31 1857 Tillitt, Thomas B. Dulin, Julia Tillitt, Thomas B.
Sawyer, C. T.
200  
81 Feb 27 1860 ONeal, William H. Mercer, Martha ONeal, Wm. H.
Chaddis (?), Wm. D.
200  
82 Aug 28 1866 Simmons, Henry Lindsey, Harriet

Simmons, Henry (x)
Cowell, W. H.
Cowell, Jos. F.
200 Henry Simmons "of col"

Harriet Lindsey "of col"

83 Feb 25 1867 Jarvis, Major Barnard, Peggy Jarvis, Major (x)
Jarvis, Samuel B.
200 Major Jarvis "of color"
84 Feb 25 1867 Garrett, Cincinatus Wilson, Eliza Garrett, Cincinatus (x)
Flora, Richard B.
200  
85 June 14 1870 Neal, York Jr. Burton, Sabra Neal, York Jr. (x)
Neal, York Sr. (x)
200  

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© 2001  Marty Holland