Free woman of color Jane Milton seeks a divorce from her husband Elisha Milton, who sold three of their children for a term of years to support his drinking habit. In addition, he beat her severely. He "fell upon her with a walking stick, on which he had a large Buckhorn handle or head, and abused her by beating her over the head & legs & shoulders in a most shameful & disgraceful manner." She was unable to walk for nearly a month. Now he has their only daughter and is living in adultery with another free woman of color. She seeks a divorce, and "all the rights & privileges of a feme sole -- according to the laws of this state." It is unclear whether Elisha Milton actually sold his sons as term slaves or whether he placed as indentured apprentices.
Result: Granted.
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Repository: North Carolina Department of Archives and History, Raleigh, North Carolina
