Author Description

This publication contains an abstract of 5,064 marriage records of Stewart County, Tennessee covering the years 1881 through 1910. The original Marriage Books are at the Stewart County Court House, labeled as volumes 1B, 1892, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The books were microfilmed by the Tennessee State Library and Archives as Stewart County Microfilm Rolls #29, #30, #31 and #32.The 1881-1883 marriage records were the most informative for genealogists in the history of the county, including the following data for each couple: -Names, ages, birthplaces and residences of the bride and groom-Date the marriage license was issued-Date the marriage was solemnized-Location within the county where the marriage took place-Occupation of the groom-Name of the marriage celebrant (person who solemnized the marriage)-Names of the witnesses to the marriageStewart County marriage records have never included the names of the parents of the bride and groom - a hopeful yet common misconception. A few of the marriage entries from the 1893-1910 period, however, include a permission slip signed by one or both of the bride's parents, since permission was required when the bride was under 16 years of age.The 1893-1910 records also include the name of the groom's bondsman on the marriage bond. Due to the high dollar value on Tennessee marriage bonds - $1,250.00 - the bondsman was often a close friend, neighbor or kinsman of the groom, which can be a helpful genealogical clue.