A Handshake on Paper: The Gwinn Brothers and a Missing Bond

“The Bond alluded to above can not be found at present.”

Now, pull up a chair and let me show you something special I found tucked away in the archives. It is a simple sheet of lined paper, yellowed just a bit by the passage of many years, but the dark ink is still as clear as the day it was written. On February 16, 1877, Lockridge Gwinn sat down to write a quick note to his brother, Laban. It was all about a piece of land—two hundred and forty-eight acres, to be exact—right next to where Claypole Griffin lived. Lockridge was asking for a legal bond to be returned because the deal with Mr. Isaac Semners was finally settled.

What I love about this paper is how it captures a moment of real life between kin. You can see the folds where it was tucked into a pocket or a drawer, and the handwriting tells a story of a time when a man’s word and a handwritten note were the backbone of the community. But then, on the very next day, Laban writes back right on the same page. He admits he cannot find the bond just yet! Even back then, folks misplaced important papers just like we do today. He promises that if it ever turns up, it will be delivered straight away.

Looking at this document today reminds us that history isn’t just about big battles or famous leaders. It is about brothers looking out for one another and neighbors making sure their debts are cleared and their land is secure. It is a humble reminder that our own daily chores and family connections are the threads that eventually weave together to form the long story of where we come from.

Original Transcription