Thomas Kirk Sr, Montgomery Co MD-Ed Browning Ward

Thomas Kirk Sr. of Montgomery Co. MD, provided bond with Basil Soper on their recognizances taken in the sum of 30£ to indemnify Montgomery Co. from a base born child which Edward Browning, alias Edward Ward begot on the body of a certain Marcey Hobbs. (Land Book #, p;345). The child was probably Rezin Hobbs. Edward did not marry Marcy, but, as Edward Browning married Priscilla Soper, daughter of Basil Soper (Barnes).
So what do you suppose was Thomas Kirk's connection to the family? Might he be the family of Edward's mother? Who else would bail him out besides his wife's father, Basil Soper?Both Kirks and Edward/Neddie Ward, as he continued to be later known, went on to KY.Carolyn Blount, Seattle