Abbreviation

I've been researching marriages and have found an abbreviation I am not sure of, e.g.

Summers, W. i. & Rebeka E. Browns 17 Jan 1855; J. W. Felts, bm.

I am thinking the "bm" stands for bondsman but am uncertain.

Clarification please.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Drake on August 17, 2009 at 2:00pm

W means wife and Felts was the bondsman.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Settle on August 17, 2009 at 2:08pm

Thanks for the help with that!

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Permalink Reply by Erin Bradford (freeaainnc) on August 19, 2009 at 9:21am

I think "W" in that case (as in W. I.) is just initials and not an abbreviation, but agree that bm. is bondsman and often with marriages you will see an abbreviation "wit." which is witness.

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Permalink Reply by William Douglas on August 19, 2009 at 4:47pm

I took this off the list in the Douglas Archives

B.M. - Bench Mark; British Museum
bndsmn. - bondsman

It does not answer the question, but...!

Yours aye,
William