11684008https://dlas.uncg.edu/petitions/petition/11684008VirginiaNansemondCounty14121840Legislativebill drawn001Library of Virginia, Richmond, VirginiaBryant Rawls seeks a divorce from his wife, Rachel, who, after twelve years of marriage and three legitimate children, gave birth to a "colored child ... begotten by a negro." His wife abandoned him shortly afterwards, Rawls claims, and he is now caring for his own children and has placed the "mulatto" baby with a free black family.AdulteryDivorceInterracial relationshipsAbandonment Illegitimacy