Know all men by these presents that we Stephen Reese & Simeon Burch ---- are held and firmly bound unto James Barbour Esq. Governor or chief magistrate of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars Virginia currency for the true payment of which to the said Governor or his succefsors we bind ourselves & each of us our and each of our heirs ...... firmly by these sealed and dated this 12th day of Sept    1812    The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage shortly intended to be had and solemnized between the above bound Stephen Reese & Polly Bratcher --- now if there shall be no lawful cause to obstruct the said marriage then the above obligation to be void or else remain in full force and virtue