Marriage Bonds were required by an act of the General Assembly in 1740 and continued until 1868 when marriage licenses were authorized. In order to apply for a marriage, the man had to post a monetary bond to a bondsman in order to prove his good intentions. If a husband abandoned or refused to provide for his family, the bondsman was responsible for them. If it is stated "not returned", it does not necessarily mean that the marriage did not take place, only that the bond or license wasn't returned or the minister or Justice of the Peace didn't complete the clerk's register.
Column 1=date and place of bond or marriage,
Column 2=name and age of groom, Column 3=name and age of bride, Column
4=bondsman & witness or person performing marriage and witness
Abbreviations as originally recorded: red
or Ind = Native American, col =African American, x = person did not sign
bond but made his mark
8-5-1896 at Dillsboro | Henry Able, 23 | Sophia Sheppard, 23 | EB McDade, JP Wit: FM Cathey, WA Enloe |
7-17-1875 at TK Welch's | Adam (red) 25 | Yet Sih (red) 20 | TK Welch, JP, wit: Will West, Alex Hornbuckle |
9-19-1857 | B. Adam | Cleninda Evitt | |
12-10-1897 at TB Queen's | WH Adam, 19 , he from Swain Co. | Syntha McMahan, 16 | TB Queen, JP, sit: WS McMahan, Wm. Sutton |
3-20-1894 at Cullowhee | Banister Adams, 62 | Mary K. Wilks, 30 | John Bumgarner, JP, wit: Nute Fox, A. Wilks |
10-19-1894 at Cullowhee | Harrison Adams, 20 | Queen Pressley, 17 | Lee Hooper, JP, wit: Ann Dills, John Ashe |
2-15-1881 at WB Davis' | McDonnel Adams, 22 | Allie Davis, 18 | CB Fugate, MG, sit: David Norton, P Adams |
7-24-1872 at TK Welch's | A-haw-ne-tok (red), 22 | Elizabeth (red), 19 | TK Welch, JP, wit: Will West |
8-18-1853 | LM Aheris | JB Barton | JC Galloway, MG |
7-18-1886 at BF Akin's | Andrew J. Akin, 20 | Callie M. Cogdille, 18 | JR Crawford, JP, wit: BF Akin, Wm Ensley |
3-25-1880 at W. Ensley's | Benjamin Akin, 22 | Josephine Ensley, 18 | ED Brendle, BM, wit: WT Ensley, SA Ensley |
9-8-1880 | John Akins, 21 | Nancy Cowan, 25 | License not returned |
10-5-1896 at Canada Ts. | C R Alexander, 18 | Nelie Brown, 16 | TJ Mathis, JP, wit: FR Huffman, JM Wood |
7-27-1882 at E. Robinsons | Elijah Alexander, 29 | Eliza Robinson, 21 | HM Bennett, MG, wit: E. Bennett, JB Rochester |
10-6-1859 | E F Alexander | Mary Green | D H Cennomur, Clg. |
8-3-1894 at Cashiers | Geo. H Alexander, 33 | R Zella Pickelsimer, 20 | JA Marshall, MG, wit: EF, DM & WH Alexander |
2-23-1856 | John Alexander | Katherine Ash | Allen Fisher, JP |
7-22-1883 at Rocy Hollow | John H Alexander, 16 | Margaret J Shelton, 18 | LW Hooper, MG, wit: JA Galloway, CL Hooper |
10-25-1898 at Canada Ts. | R S Alexander, 21 | Annie Brown, 18 | TJ Mathis, JP, wit: FS Fortner, SE Hamilton |
7-3-1881 at BN Queen's | Samuel Alexander 24 | Melvina Ash, 22 | BN Queen BM, wit: TJ Bryson, BN Queen |
2-3-1879 at M. Coward's | Samuel M. Alexander, 20 | Rachel Coward, 22 | BN Queen BM, wit: T Brown, J. Alexander |
2-11-1891 at River Ts. | W L Alexander, 21 | Annie Shelton, 17 | Henry Jackson JP, wit: AM Brown, JW Shelton |
3-15-1883 at T Cabe's | Wm P Alexander, 24 he from Ocona Co SC | Susan B. Cabe | HM Bennett MG, wit: HH Taylor, M Moody |
10-24-1888 | George Allen (col) 32 | Hattie Love (col) 21 | License not returned |
4-30-1886 at M. Farmer's | Jerry C. Allen, 24 | Alice Fisher, 21 | W Ensley BM, wit: WH Allen, RW Fisher |
8-6-1900 at Sylva Ts. | Lawrence Allen, 31 | Alice Sutton. 2- | RA Painter, JP, wit: RJ Crawford, ML Knight |
12-16-1898 | LW Allen, 28 | Alice Sutton, 19 | License not returned |
4-22-1881 at D. Addington | Mikel Allen (col) 21 | Gustus West (col) 17 | GW Spake MG, wit: D. Addington, B. Sherrill |
1-13-1878 at McConnell's | Nathan Allen, 60 | Malinda McConnell, 39 | GW Spake MM, wit: RF McFee, WP Allman |
10-16-1879 at James Parris | Nathan Allen, 65 | Jency Hall, 58 | ED Brendel BM, sit: RM Parris, JM Parris |
2-25-1883 at Phillip Wike | Philander C Allen, 40 | Menervia I. Wilke, 28 | WP Jones JP, wit: JS Fullbright, W Bumgarne |
11-27-1894 at Sylva | Pierce Allen, 28 | Alice Reed, 31 | AH Sims BM, wit: AW Farmer, RO Phillips |
2-9-1900 at CC Love's | Robert Allen, 19 | Emma Sparks, 19 | RA Painter, JP, wit: DL Love, AJ Love, W Love |
1-3-1889 at Cullowhee | Sherman Allen, 22 | Hattie Coward, 18 | AD Hooper JP, wit: Bowman Davis |
3-14-1880 at LM Angel's | Walton C. Allen, 21 | Ann Angil, 21 | W Ensley BM, wit: WJ Fisher, HP Brendle |
9-16-1871 | W B Allen | C A Bumgarner | DD Davis JP |
2-28-1895 at Sylva | W B Allen, 22 | Ida Mooney, 20 | AH Sims BM, wit: Judson Allen, Callie Sims |
3-20-1890 at Cashiers | J F Alley, 22 | Lon Bowlick | Javan Davis, wit: EM Alley, MD Edwards |
6-7-1892 at JM Hooper's | J H Alley, Jr, 32 | Pauline Hooper, 25 | BG Wilds MG, wit: J. Davis. Cassie Hill |
9-20-1883 at W Terrell's | Andrew B. Allison, 27 | Hattie Woodfin, 30 | WC Carden MG, wit: JW Terrell |
9-2-1891 | C B Allison, 26 | Alice Belle Keener, 17 | BG Wild MG, wit: TB Allison, JW Keener |
8-20-1871 | F P Allison | Martha A. Coats | JR Long PE of MECS |
2-21-1896 at Cashiers | J C Allison, 22 | Minnie Gertrude Heaton, 20 | LM Dillard JP, wit: WR Zachary, MA Sharrall |
10-13-1870 | Joseph Allison | Martha Ash | JM Candler JP |
6-22-1892 at Dillsboro | Lee Allison, 22, he from McDowell Co. | Hattie Munday, 22 | JC Watkins JP, wit: RP Potts, Lola Sherrill |
10-26-1859 | Monterville Allison | Jane Wilson | WH Higdon, JP |
1-2-1883 at JL Hall's | Oatus M. Allison, 22 | Cordelia Hall, 16 | DH Ash JP, wit: CM Buchanan, J Buchanan |
9-30-1860 | Samuel Allison | Elizabeth Paris | LG Ward JP |
9-28-1870 | S N Allison | S C Zachary | TH Edwards, Elder |
12-29-1882 at EJ Bryson's | Samuel N. Allison, 38 | Elizza J. Bryson, 33 | LM Dillard JP, wit: WB Davis, HRB Lindon |
2-24-1897 at Shoal Creek | W C Allison, 22 | Tennie Miller, 18 | JJ Gray MG, wit: Vergia Cooper, JB Sherrill |
12-21-1885 at Webster | Isaac Allman (col) 57 | Eda Hall (col) 67 | JA Wild JP, wit: Julia Wilds, John M. Long |
1-12-1900 at W Claytons | John C. Allman, 23 | Hattie Clayton, 22 | WE Conner BM, wit: JH Terrey, Delos D. Hooper |
9-21-1868 | John G. Allman | R. J. Bryson | Thom. Wilson JP |
4-25-1883 at J Stillwell's | William P. Allman, 27 | Bettie Stillwell, 20 | DG Bigham JP, wit: J. Buchanan, JH Rogers |
3-19-1878 at SP Shelton | James G. Ammons, 24 | Lydia S. Shelton, 21 | W. Zachary, wit: JE McLain, WA Queen |
2-23-1858 | John Ammons | Martha Higdon | J L Buchanan, JP |
4-14-1872 | J G Ammons | Laura Cowan | J S Woodward, MG |
11-5-1890 at Savannah | J G Ammons, 41 | Laura L. Dills, 31 | A W Davis JP, wit: RN Deitz, CL Dills |
4-17-1859 | S W Ammons | Nancy Childers | W M Buchanan, JP |
8-15-1901 | Ervin Anderson (col) 38 | Laura Love (col) 20 | License not returned |
1-30-1870 | R. Anderson | Sarah Hall | E Stillwell, JP |
9-15-1869 | J E Angel | Elmina Conley | GW Spake, Clerg. |
1-16-1892 at Webster | Lee Angel (col) 24 | Georgia Ann Gibson (col) 18 | WC Vanhook MG, wit: CB Bowman, A Powell |
7-30-1871 | Thos. Arrington | Polly Williams | PG Green, MG |
5-15-1894 at Webster | Charley Armstrong, 30 he from New Castle Pa | Rosa Ann Hawkins, 16 | RB Shelton, MG, wit: WE Moore, JC McLain |
3-29-1875 at the church | Will West Arneeh (red), 22 | Dina E. Ecua (red), 17 | JR Long, MM, wit: Enola & Jessee Reed |
8-26-1900 on rail road | Dexter Arrington, 22 | Nancy Hill, 20 | TF Arrington BM, wit: HL Babb, JP Davis |
4-24-1884 at N. Blanton's | Elbert Arrington, 40 | Catherine Blanton, 40 | AJ Hall, JP, wit: James Henry |
3-20-1892 at Scott Creek | Eli Arrington, 21, he from Haywood Co. | Pattie Allen, 19, she from Haywood Co. | Henr Welch MG, wit: JW Blanton, TC WElch |
12-21-1878 at S Enloe's | James R. Arrington, 20 | Martha Lemons, 19 | JW Bird, JP, wit: JB Sherrill, S Jenkins |
7-24-1870 | Thomas P. Arrington, 26 | Artie Reed, 24 | MW Bryson JP, wit: AVP Bryson, Jesse Bryson |
9-30-1881 at DH Ash's | Ashberry B. Ash, 18 | Mary J. Brooks, 18 | DH Ash JP, wit: DC Jones, WT Brooks |
3-6-1855 | A. J. Ash | Litticia L. Bryson | Allen Fisher, JP |
11-1-1874 | Charles C. Ash, 25 | A. J. Enloe | TK Welch, JP |
11-25-1883 at R Watson | Clingman Ash, 17 | Nancy A. Watson, 16 | OB Coward JP, wit: GE Painter, SF Bryson |
8-25-1857 | Coleman Ash | Jane Parker | J Wike, JP |
4-3-1881 at S Enloe's | Coleman Ash, 28 | Mary Shular, 48 | JO Wallace JP, wit: Mary Knight, S. Enloe |
11-16-1856 | Hiram Ash | Sarah Ash | Peter King, JP |
10-20-1863 | Hix Ash | Harriett Painter | Wm Wilson, JP |
12-12-1857 | Jessee Ash | Mary Merrill | |
10-21-1880 at G Melton | John Ash, 19 | Margaret Melton, 18 | BN Queen BM, wit: WA Queen, WB Queen |
5-23-1877 at EM Shulars | John M. Ash, 32 | Martha J. Shular, 21 | JR Crawford JP, wit: Robt Ash, John Shular |
3-14-1883 at V Higdon's | Robert Ash, 27 | Alis Higdon, 20 | DG Bigham JP, wit: VS Higdon, E Highdon |
8-24-1882 at AD Hoopers | William Ash, 20 | Sarah A. Hooper, 16 | RL Watson, JP, wit: MB Hooper, Andrew Bryson |
6-23-1872 | William Ash | Sarah Mathis | ED Brendle, Elder |
7-11-1861 | Wm. W. Ash | Samantha Stiles | Elcanat Ash, JP |
11-9-1890 at Canada Ts. | C A Ashe, 55 | Martha E. Brown, 27 | MC Warlick MG, wit: SB Melton, H. Warlick |
5-1-1890 at Webster | CC Ashe, 40 | Mary Strutton, 51 | W Ensley, MG, wit: JN Candler, JD Coward |
2-25-1886 at LH Tilley's | Charlie Ashe, 18 | Mandiney Tilly, 18 | AD Hooper, JP, wit: JB Rochester, JW Tilly |
10-31-1888 | Clingman Ashe, 24 | Ida Stuart, 20 | License not returned |
1-25-1891 at Webster | C. W. Ashe, 22 | Lillie Holder, 19 | AJ Long, JP, wit: JV Ashe, JW Robinson |
9-27-1886 at LH Tilly's | Hampton P. Ashe, 25 | Margaret Tilly, 23 | AD Hooper, JP, wit: JB Rochester, JW Tilly |
12-25-1893 at Hamburg | Henry Ashe, 26 | Neddie Slatton, 18 | FP Hooper, JP, AT Parton, TB Wilson |
3-5-1891 at Webster | James R. Ashe, 24 | Lillie Cowan, 16 | BG Wild MG, wit: CM Buchanan, TB Cowan |
4-10-1892 at Savannah | John Ashe, 23 | Jane Cowan, 20 | TF Deitz MG, wit: RN Deitz, CC Higdon |
12-24-1893 at Canada T | John Ashe, 33 | Victoria Parker, 19 | JC Wood, JP, wit: SM Parker, AJ Parker |
11-9-1893 at Webster | John Ashe, 24 | Ellen Bumgarner, 20 | JP Brendle, JP, wit: ED Franklin, Sallie Long |
7-8-1900 at Middletons | John N. Ashe, 27 | Elzy Magdaline Middleton, 20 | JH Owen, BM, wit: John Ashe, AJ Parker |
10-2-1898 at Webster | John W. Ashe, 26 | Margaret Tilley, 22 | JP Brendle J, wit: Jon W. Ashe, JC Davis |
3-31-1894 | Joseph L. Ashe, 28 | Harriett Phillips, 18 | Returned, not executed |
10-5-1891 at Savannah | Lewis Ashe, 21 | Ellen Jones, 18 | TF Deitz, MG, wit: LD Hall, WA Wilson |
1-31-1892 at River Ts. | Marion Ashe, 19 | Sallie Middleton, 20 | WA Queen, MG, wit: MJ Watson, EM Watson |
1-24-1897 at Barkers Crk. | Marve Ashe, 25 | Bennie Nations, 21 | JH House JP, wit: J. Nations, BP Bradley |
10-21-1884 at Painters | M. N. Ashe, 19 | Lena Painter, 18 | AJ Hall, JP, wit: Elllis Painter, EM Painter |
1-28-1894 at Cullowhee | M. N. Ashe, 28 | Martha A. Rhodes, 20 | HM Bennett, MG, wit: WC Norton, D Coward |
12-10-1888 at Hamburg | R. C. Ashe, 21 | Callie Woodring, 16 | BN Queen, BM, wit: DM Presley, Ava Wilson |
9-13-1883 at BH Jones' | Rufus Ashe, 26 | Polina Wilson, 19 | BH Jones, JP, wit: WH Jones, WR Thompson |
6-10-1901 | Silvanas Ashe, 26 | Hattie Phillips, 18 | License not returned |
9-5-1895 at Barkers Crk | W. D. Ashe, 21 | Mary Moore, 18 | WM Bumgarner JP, wit: R Bumgarner, J Ensley |
4-17-1898 at Sylva | W. I. Ashe, 25 | Amanda J. Extine, 24 | JP Brendle JP, sit: EL Ashe, CJ Franklin |
8-16-1885 at J Alaton's | William A. Ashe, 22 | Laura Slaton | AJ Hall, JP, wit: Jack Wike, John Slaton |
8-19-1899 at the church | John Austin (col) 30 | Lizzie Norman (col) 19 | LA Bailey, BM, wit: AM Bobo, Lee Howell |
6-2-1887 at Falen's | Bake Ayers, 57, he from Haywood Co., NC | Margaret Falen, 45 | CA Bird, JP, wit: JW Terrell, JS Keener |