William H. Cochran seeks a divorce from his wife, Lucinda Cochran. The plaintiff accuses his wife of "having fallen into habits of intemperance," and he admits that she "has been for months past, living separate and apart from your Orator; changing her residence from one house of ill-fame to another in the city or it's vicinity, and living in undisguised habits of adultery and lewd intercourse." Being "advised that he is entitled to a divorce from the bond of matrimony with the said Lucinda," the petitioner prays "for a decree for a divorce ... without being compelled to provide for her support; also that the custody of his said children be secured to him; that said Lucinda Cochran be compelled to resume her maiden name, and barred forever from all rights of distribution and dower in your Orator's estate." A deposition reveals that Lucinda is residing in a house "occupied by free negroes, & of course has such reputation, that no decent white woman would make it a place of visitation or abode."
Result: Granted.
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
