After thirty-two years of marriage, Penelope Smith charges that her husband "struck her with his fist, pulled her hair & attempted to gouge her." His continual drinking and abuse forced her to seek shelter with friends. For several years, he has entertained "lewd women" in their home, and now has contracted a venereal disease which "she has seen evidence of on his clothing." He owns several slaves and other property, she says, and asks that the court restrain him from selling his property, as he has threatened to do, and pocketing the money.
Result: Granted.
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Repository: North Carolina Department of Archives and History, Raleigh, North Carolina
