This bond dated 10 January 1827 was “signed” by James Tinsley, Enoch, Tinsley, Landon Bernham, Margaret Reeves, Hiram Reeves, to guarantee an appearance in regards to Fleming County, Kentucky, County Circuit Court Case 4209.
This “bond” was signed on 10 January 1827 to guarantee that the five individuals named would appear to give statements regarding a court case in Fleming County, Kentucky. The last three individuals appear to have actually signed the document. The first two individuals, James and Enoch Tinsley, do not appear to have actually signed the document. Their signatures look too similar to each other and to the writing in the text of the document.
I don’t know why the Tinsleys did not actually sign the document themselves. One other individual, Margaret Reeves, made her “X” on the document. Based on that, inability to write does not appear to be the reason for the Tinsleys apparent failure to actually sign the document themselves. James could sign his name and has done so on numerous documents before and after this one was made out. Enoch’s ability to write his name is not known as he left behind no evidence that he could write his name.
I’m not saying that “failure to actually sign” was common–just that it happened. It should also be noted that record copies of records made during the time when handwritten transcriptions were normal–what’s typically found in record books in courthouses–contain transcriptions of signatures and not actual signatures.
Is it possible that your ancestor didn’t sign a document that you think they did?
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