I know someone should be able to help me, with all the back & forth about marriage bonds,slips etc...recently......I obtained a copy of my ancestors marriage bond from 1835 (thank you NSARM! Beautiful copy!)Anyway for those of you who are familiar with these the first line starts "Know all men by these presents, that We, (names inserted) are held and firmly bound to His Exellency Major General Sir Colin Campbell, K.C.B. blah blah blah...." then continues to talk about paying him 100 pounds, etc...

Second paragraph talks about "The condition of this obligation.....why the said (insert names of bride and groom) may not lawfully solemnize, balh blah blah....and if the above bounden (names inserted from 1st paragraph) do save harmless the said Sir Colin Campbell.." etc...

OK - here is my question. The Marriage bond is for Charles Creighton and Joanna Kenney. The names inserted in the FIRST paragraph are "Charles Creighton of Sheet Harbour Mariner and John Adams of Halifax Grocer"

The SECOND paragraph names are obviously the bride and groom, the second set of names (as 'bounden') are Charles Creighton & John Adams.

The only signature is that of John Adams.....WHO IS JOHN Adams?! I mean of course, the significance of this third person other than the bride or groom, who is clearly making himself responsible for the cost of marriage (I think) by 'binding' himself to Colin Campbell. Is there a normal person who asumes this role? John Adams is not Joanna's father or either of her stepfathers.....is he just a witness that could have been grabbed off the street? HELP!

Thanks, Laurie