Source: Bristol County Massachusetts Probate Records, Family History Library Salt Lake City, UT. Film series of 351 rolls. Probate Records, 1690-1881, microfilm # 580778. Exact transcription by C. E. Edwards 2004. Each question mark represents one word that could not be deciphered.)

Note of Obligation, 4 August 1698 at Taunton, Bristol Co. MA Samuel Smith (1666-1718) involving a bond made by Samuel Smith Sr. (b. 1639) to administer the estate of Francis Smith.

Know all men by these presents that we: Samuel Smith of Taunton in the County of Bristoll in new England and eldest sonne to Samuel Smith sometime of said Taunton, deceased and John Cary of Bristoll Carpentor in the County aforesaid.

Do stand and are firmly bound on and obligated unto John Saffin Esq. Judge of Probate of wills within the County of Bristol in the full sum of ten pounds current money of New England to be pay to him the said John Saffin or his surrogate in said office unto the which payment well and truely to be made we bind ourselves and each of us by himself jointly and severally for it in the whole ? and either and every of our ? and administrated firmly by these presented sealed with our seals dated in Bristol this fourth day of August 1698 in the tenth year of his Majesties reign.

The condition of this obligation is such that whereas the above bound Samuel Smith is appointed and ordained administrator upon the one half of a share in the old Iron works, ? ? the death of Sarah Smith sometime the wife of Francis Smith late of Taunton, deceased [father to the said Samuel Smith also deceased] and belonging to the estate of the said Samuel Smith which hath not been divided as the law directed. If therefore the said Samuel Smith administrator above bond: shall with all convenient speed bring into the register office for said County a true and perfect inventory of the estate of the said deceased and shall duly administrate upon and well and truly dispose of the said half share as the law devises so all portions to whom of right it doth belong and shall render a true and ? account of his administration upon oath at or before the first day September One Thousand Six Hundred Ninety Nine without ? on ? ? then the said obligation to be null and void on ? ? and remains in full force ? and ?

Original signatures of Samuel Smith and John Cary with seals affixed