This is a compilation of early Missouri laws picked at random. It is surprising how many of these laws apply to the study of genealogy. Over the years the Missouri legislature passed many laws affecting individuals directly. For instance, it could be that one of your ancestors had a name changed by law, or perhaps someone in your family did some work for the state which required a special law for him to get paid. All of these early laws, which are indexed after a fasion, may be seen at the Supreme Court Library in Jefferson City. An ACT, to dissolve the bonds of matrimony existing between Joseph HAMILTON and Rebecca HAMILTON, his wife. Whereas, Joseph Hamilton, of the county of Ripley, in this state, has petitioned this General Assembly to have the bonds of matrimony contracted with his wife, Rebecca Hamilton, late Rebecca MARCUM, dissolved, and whereas it appears to the satisfaction of this General Assembly that the facts set forth in said petition and documents accompanying the same are sufficient to entitle the said Joseph to the relief for which he prays: Therefore, be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri as follows: 1. That the bonds of matrimony heretofore contracted between Joseph Hamilton and Rebecca Hamilton, late Rebecca Marcum, his wife, be and the same is hereby dissolved. This act to take effect and be in force from and after its passage. Approved Jan 31, 1837 An act to divorce JOAB MOBERLY and SALLY, his wife. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri as follows: 1. The bonds of matrimony heretofore contracted between the said Joab Moberly and the said Sally KENELY, be and the same is hereby dissolved. This act to be in force from after its passage. Approved Feb 6, 1837. An ACT for the relief of James H. BIRCH. Whereas, it is represented to this general Assembly, that James H. Birch did furnish, at the request of the Secretary of State, for the use of the State, about one hundred sixty copies of the journals of the two houses of the General Assembly, of the session of '30 and '31, and has never received any compensation for said copies; and whereas, said Birch did expend $20 in transportating a number of copies of said Journals to St. Louis, for which he has never been remunerated: Therefore, be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri as follows: 1. That the Auditor of Public Accounts be required to draw his warrant on the Treasurer for the sum of ninety-seven dollars, in favor of James H. Birch, and that the Treasurer be required to pay the same out of any money in the treasury not otherwise approprited. This act to be in force from its passage. Approved, Jan 14, 1837 An Act to change the names of certain children herein named, and for other purposes. Whereas, it is represented that FRANCOIS VALLE, of Madison County has three illegetimate children by NANCY DeKELLIGAR, otherwise the three youngest children of Nancy Degier, to wit: FRANCOIS DEGIER, JOHN B. DEGIER AND LEWIS DEGIER; and whereas, the said FRANCOIS VALLE, is desirous that the names of the said three dhildren shall be changed to the names of Francois Valle, John Baptist Valle and Lewis Valle; and that said children shall be declared the ligitimate heirs of the said Francois Valle, and capable in law of inheriting as such; Therefore, be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows: 1. That the names of the said three children of said Francois Valle, to wit: Francis Degier, John B. Degier, and Lewis Degier, otherwise the three youngest children of Nancy Degier, shall be, and the same are hereby changed and altered, and shall be known and called hereafter by the name of Francois Valle, John Baptist Valle, and Lewis Valle. 2. The said Francois Valle, John Baptist Valle, and Lewis Valle, be and they are hereby declared to be legitimate children to all entents and purposes, in every respect as though the said children had been begotten in lawful wedlock, and that said several children shall be able in all respects to inherit all the rights and privileges in law and equity of the said Francois Valle, as other legitimate children could or would do; anything in any law to the contrary notwithstanding. This act to take effect from and after its passage. Approved, Dec 12, 1836 (I don't know why they call the mother DeKelligar and then Degier, unless the first is just a typo.) An ACT for the relief of E. McALEXANDER, late sheriff of Saline county. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri as follows: 1. That the auditor of Public Accounts be, and he is hereby authorized to draw his warrant on the treasurer, in favor of E. McALEXANDER, for the sum of two hundred and seventy dollars and eighty-seven cents, to be paid out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the passage thereof. Approved Dec 23, 1836 An ACT for the relief of Moses BURTON and Jesse W. GARNER. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows: 1. The sum of two hundred and seventy dollars is hereby appropriated out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated in favor of Moses Burton and Jesse W. Garner, in addition to the amount agreed to be given said Burton and Garner, as contractors for the carpenter's work on the penitentiary. 2. This appropriation shall be in full of the claim of said Burton and Garner, as set forth in their petition on the 16th day of February, 1835, for the loss of time complained of by reasons of the non-compliance of the stone masons. Approved, Feb. 2, 1837 An ACT to refund money to Lewis BOLTON. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows: 1. The auditor of Public Accounts is hereby required to draw his warrant on the State Treasurer in favor of Lewis Bolton, for the sum of one hundred and ninety-eight dollars and six cents, and that the Treasurer pay the same out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. This act to be in force from its passabe. Approved Feb 6, 1837 An ACT, providing for the pay of James B. BOWLIN. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows: 1. That the sum of fifty dollars is hereby allowed the said James B. Bowlin, for the services in the above preamble mentioned, to be paid out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. This act shall be in force from and after its passage. Approved Dec 12, 1836 An ACT, appropriating money for the pay of Librarian, for a part of the years 1834 and 1835. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows: 1. The sum of fifty dollars is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury unappropriated, to pay George C. DALE for services rendered as Librarian during the session of the Legislature of 1834 and 1835. 2. The auditor of public accounts is hereby directed to draw his warrant on the Treasurer in favor of said Dale for said sum. this act to take effect from and after its passage. approved Feb 6, 1837 An ACT for the relief of Chaple CARSTARPHEN. Be it enacted eneral Assembly of the state of Missouri as follows: 1. That the time allowed Chaple CARSTARPHEN, under a writ of ad quod damnum, issued from the circuit court of the county of Ralls, authorizing said Carstarphen, to erect a dam across Salt River, which permit expires on the fourth day of June, 1837, be, and the same is hereby extended until the fourth day of June 1838, with all the rights and privileges of the said original writ. This act to take effect and be in force from and after its passage. Approved Jan 18, 1837