Due to her husband’s insolvency and misappropriation of her property, Polly Stewart, a free woman of color, petitions for a separation of property. Prior to her 1843 marriage to William Stewart, a free man of color, Polly owned a "lot of ground" with a two-story frame house in New Orleans and a slave named Rachiel, altogether worth $3,500. She also owned "certain household furniture" worth $300. Polly informs the court that, since their marriage, William has “not acquired any thing nor assisted in supporting her.” Instead, William has "asserted title” to Polly’s property and has “forcibly entered into and taken possession of the same." She charges that William has rented her property out as a “depot for the sale & keeping of slaves.” In addition, William has allowed the property to deteriorate and has changed the locks, retaining the keys for his own use. Polly petitions the court to have the house and lot sequestered by the sheriff. She also prays for a separation of property from her husband and asks to be granted the “administration and sole control of her paraphernal property."
Result: Granted.
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Repository: New Orleans Public Library, New Orleans, Louisiana
