From another mailing list .. Thought it was “interesting.” [Nathaniel Clarke was the son of Thomas Clarke, who arrived at Plymouth aboard The Anne] From COURT RECORDS of Plymouth Township June 2, 1686 The humble petition of Dorathy Clarke "I am sorely afflicted that I have this sad occasion to petition to God & you, for in that Mr. Nathaniel Clarke hathe not performed the duty of a husband to me and is always unable to perform the act of generation. And therefore your petitioner humbly prayeth that I may be divorced from him for our lives are very uncomfortable in the sight of God soe I rest your humble petitioner." Dorathay Clarke ____________________________ At his Majesties Court of Assistants, Mrs. Dorathy Clarke complaining to the Court that Mr. Nathaniel Clarke her husband, (by reason of some deformity or infirmity of body, as she saith,) is incapable to perform the conjugal duty of an husband toward her, and petitioned to be divorced from him: but the said Nathaniel affirming to the contrary, the Court have ordered that his body be viewed by some persons skillful and judicious and therefore doe request Mr. John Cutler, Mr. Thomas Oakes and Mr. William Avery, phycisians, or any two of them, at the request and charges of the said Nathaniel, shewing himself unto them, and they would give their judgement of of him concerning that particular in writing, under their hands, to be the produced at the next Court. ____________________________ July 6, 1686 Mrs. Dorathy Clarke, appeared in Court & Prosecuted her petition & complaint on the other side mentioned, and the Court did not see cause to grant a divorce as she requested.