Jane Fitzgerald seeks a divorce from James Fitzgerald, her husband of forty-four years. She informs the court that she has not cohabited with her husband "for several years" and that, "within that period, he has been in the constant habit of frequenting and remaining at the house" of his mistress, Susannah Millburn. In fact, James has "almost totally abandoned his family," taking with him "nearly all his stock of every description," including his slaves, to "the house in which he & his concubine live," which is a "mile distant" from Jane's house. Jane complains that her husband "has not bought her a pound of coffee in twelve months," yet "the object of his illicit attachment & her mother & her children are all fed upon the bounty of a man, who neglects & has abandoned his own household." She charges James with "gradually wasting his estate on his adulteress & otherwise" and fears that he will dispose of the ten slaves he now owns, who are "the offspring of the negro girl given to her by her father" before their marriage. She seeks alimony out of James's estate as well as possession of these slaves "which came by her."
Result: Granted.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: Archives of Appalachia, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee
