Divorces & Separations from Petitions to the North Carolina General Assembly from 1779 :                     The names of the petitioner(s) and other major parties are listed below in alphabetical order. Source identification for each petition or North Carolina Assembly action is shown in parentheses according to the following abbreviations:                     GASR -General Assembly Session Records; HB - House Bill; HCR - House Committee Reports: JCR -            Joint Committee Reports; SB - Senate Bill; SCR - Senate Committee Reports                   All of the above original papers are filed at the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh, NC.                   267. BAKER,John. See DANNELL, David and wife, Susanna.                   268. BLACK, Elizabeth and husband,Frederick. Bill to secure persons therein mentioned such property as they mayhereafter acquire: . . . Elizabeth BLACK of Rockingham Co., wife of Frederic_ .. . Read third time and passed. (GASR Nov.-Dec. 1807, Box 2: folder “SB 10Dec.”.) Published in N. C. Laws, 1807. p. 39.                   269.BOUCHER, Ann and husband, Thomas. Petition of Ann BOUCHER [county not identified, but most supporters are from Warren Co., NC)  states that about eight or ten years ago, she intermarried with Thomas BOUCHER. During the following years she endeavoured to discharge the various duties incumbent upon her, striving by industry and economy to obtain something for their material support and maintenance. About two years past, said Thomas left your memorialist and has removed himself to a distant State, leaving your petitioner with a young child in a situation little short of beggary and want.Said Thomas left her SO considerably indebted that after exhausting the small pittance of property which he left behind, there will be a considerable surplus of debts remaining still unpaid. Petitioner prays for an act vesting the further productions of her labor and gifts from her friends to be secured to her. The following fifteen subscribers state that they are well acquainted with Mrs. Ann BOUCHER, believe the facts stated in the petition, and are of the opinion that said prayer should be granted: JNO. HALL, OLIVER KITTS, ROBT. H. JONES, THOS. B. GLOSTER,PETER A. DAVIS, WAKE FALKENER, M. DUKE JOHNSON, RO. R. JOHNSON, WM. FALKENER,JACOB MORDECAI, J. G.         BREHON,STEPHEN DAVIS, W. RUFFIN, JOHN SNOW, KEMP PLUMMER. (GASR Nov.-Dec. 1807, Box 3:folder “Divorces, etc.”.) Petition of Ann BOUCHER, praying that what property(she) may hereafter acquire be secured to her . . . that the bill before the House be amended by inserting [her] name.Concurred. (GASR Nov.-Dec. 1807, Box 2: folder “SCR”.)                   270. BROOKS,Jesse. See FARROW, John and wife, Rebecca.                    271. CAIN,Rebecca and husband, Elisha. Petition of Rebecca (x) CAIN, wife of Elisha CAIN of Chatham County states that through the imprudence of my husband, the whole of his property is (wasted), and he himself has become an “invilead” and not able to support himself and yet being considerably in debt. Said Rebecca prays foran act for her “releaf, now being in years, yet thinking myself able to get my support, that whatever I may hereafter gain by my industry may be entirely formy own use . . . and clear from any encumbrance ...of my husband, Elisha CAIN .. .“ Endorsed by fourteen subscribers. (GASR Nov.-Dec. 1807, Box 3: folder “Divorces, etc..) Published in N. C. Laws, 1807, p. 39.                   272.CARPENTER, Sally and husband, Joseph. Petition of Sally CARPENTER, wife of Joseph of Currituck County, states she was married about twelve years ago to said Joseph CARPENTER, “whose dissipated conduct soon convinced your petitioner that what property they possessed would soon be consumed by his extravagance and waste - and, which ultimately proved to be the case.” She further stated that sometime past, said Joseph left your petitioner in a state of indigence and want and dependent solely upon the clemency of her friends. She is yet desirous of accumulating by industry a portion of property sufficient for a comfortable support, but knowing what little she can acquire will he subject to his wasteful hands, she prays a law to secure to her what property she mayhereafter acquire. (GASR Nov.-Dec. 1807, Box 3: folder “Divorces, etc.”.) The Committee of Divorce and Alimony, to whom was referred the petition of Sally CARPENTER, are of opinion that the clemency of the Legislature ought to be extended to [her] relief and recommend a bill he passed. (GASR Nov.-Dec. 1807,Box 2: folder “5CR”.) Bill to secure persons therein mentioned such property asthey may hereafter acquire: Sally CARPENTER of Currituck County, wife of Joseph... Read third time and passed. (GASR Nov.-Dec 1807, Box 2: folder “SB 10 Dec.”.)Published in N. C. Laws, 1807, p. 39.                   273. CRANER,Hannah. See MANLOVE, Hannah and husband, George.                   274.DANNELL, David and wife, Susanna. Petition of David DANNELL of Rowan County, 23 Nov. 1807, states that in or about 1764, said petitioner, being then an inhabitant of Wake County, intermarried with a woman by the name of Susannah FERRILL of said county with whom he lived for the space of five years. He enjoyed     all the comforts of conjugal felicity and had by his wife, two daughters. During this time your petitioner loved, honored and cherished his said wife, and she appeared to have an affectionate, loving and dutiful deportment. Your petitioner removed to the waters of Holsten with his wife and children and some others for the purpose of improving their situation in Life, but instead of answering those valuable ends, it proved a time of sorrow, disappointment and loss. His said wife (forgetful of those sacred ties of matrimony) absconded from his bed & board & to his astonishment without any just cause on his side, took up with & attached herself to a certain John BAKER of said waters. Your petitioner was unable to reclaim his said wife to return to her duty as a wife and mother to two helpless females.After meeting with disappointment for about eight months, your petitionerre moved to Wake County, where he continued to live with his children until theYear 1800, when he removed to Rowan County where he now lives. But as your petitioner understands, his said wife is still alive and continues to live with said BAKER & by whom she has had several children. He further understands that his said wife and the children she has begotten since her elopement threaten that they will claim an equal part of whatever property your petitioner shall be seized with upon his decease. Prays consideration.(Enclosed) Bill to secure David DANNELL of Rowan County against all future claims of his wife Susanna. Read third time and passed. (CASR Nov.-Dec. 1807.Box 2: folder “SB 14 Dec.’.) Committee of Divorce and Alimony, to whom the petition of David DANNELL was directed, are of opinion that relief ought to begranted and recommend the passing of the bill. (GASR Nov.-Dec. 1807, Box 2:folder “SCR’.) Published in N. C. Laws, 1807, p. 39.                   275. DENNIS,Sarah and husband, Francis. Bill to secure persons therein mentioned such property as they may hereafter acquire: . . . Sarah DENNIS, wife of Francis of Carteret County . . . Read third time and passed. (GASR Nov-Dec. 1807, Box 2:folder “SB 10 Dec.”.) Published in N. C. Laws, 1807, p. 39.                   276. FARR,Susanna and husband, Robert. Petition of Susanna (+) FARR of Anson County sheweth that she intermarried with “a man who called himself Robert FARR” in1788. Sometime in the Year 1790 said Robert made away with what little property he had and a horse belonging to her father, William PRATT, Sr.. and “also apart of her cloathes - went off & She has never since seen him . . .“ She has reason to believe he is now living in the upper part of South Carolina with some other woman which he calls his wife & by whom he has several children.She prays for a divorce from said FARR or such other relief as the General Assembly may think proper. (Enclosed:) Deposition of William PRATT, Sr., before William JOHNSON. Justice of Peace for Anson County, 28 Oct. 1807, confirmingstatements made by the petitioner, Susanna (PRATT) FARR. (GASR Nov.-Dec. 1807, Box 3:folder “Divorces, etc.”.) Committee of Divorce and Alimony, to whom the petition of Susanna FARR was referred, are of opinion that the clemency of the Legislature ought to be extended to [her) relief and recommend the bill be passed. (GASR Nov.-Dec. 1807, Box 2:folder “SCR”.) Bill to secure persons thereinmentioned such property as they may hereafter acquire: . . . Susanna FARR of Anson County, wife of Robert . . . Read three times and passed. (GASR Nov.-Dec.1807, Box 2: folder “SB 10 Dec.”.) Published in N. C. Laws, 1807, p. 39.                     277.    FARROW, John and wife, Rebecca. Petition of John FARROW of Currituck County sheweth that sixteen years ago “your unfortunate Petitioner Intermarried with a Rebekah FOULSON, and for about 4 or 5 years livd in the most Conjugall affection but finally to the utmost Injury& Total Destruction of the peace & Happiness of your Petitioner.” She,the said Rebekah, “gave herself up first to Illicit amours with Other men and so increasd in all manner of Indecent Behaviour till at Length She became an open public and debauchd prostitute with any and all who woud partake in her wickedness; and Totally of Her own will Absconded & Eloped from the Bed and Board of yourpetitioner and took up with a Thomas ROLENSON . . . After continuing with him perhaps 2 or 3 years, he went off and has never returnd. . . . then she took up with a William ONEEL, who Remaind with her 3 or 4 years & Lived as man and wife . . . by him She had Two Children, but he went off and Left her also, and at this time She is living with a Jesse BROOKS in the former manner without any prospects of amendment. She has from time to time notwithstanding her Brutall conduct Calld on your petitioner for Support and Involvd him in much Difficulties & Swears he Shall maintain her Bastards altho they Have Remained in a Separate Sittuation for more than 10 years.” Your petitioner gave her much part of his Estate as she expressed herself Satisfyd with as will appear by the Receipt and articles of agreement accompanying the Petition. Heprays for a law to be passed to dissolve the marriage contract between the said John and Rebecca FARROW or to secure to each of the parties all such property as they now have or hereafter may acquire. In case of the death of either party, the surviving one shall not he entitled to any distribution right ofDower or otherwise to any Estate of the deceased and that no children begotten since the separation shall he considered as lawful heirs to the other property.(Enclosed) Contract dated 24 May 1803 in Currituck County, NC. Between John FARROW of Currituck County at Cape Hatteras and his wife, Rebekah FARROW in which said parties mutually agree to separate and dissolve their marriage contract. Witnesses: Christopher ROLINSON. Mayor WHIDBEE. (GASR Nov.-Dec. 1807,Box 3: folder “Petitions-Divorces, etc.”.) Committee of Divorce and Alimony, to whom was referred the petition of John FARROW, is of opinion that it would be just and proper to grant the petitioner’s prayer. (GASR Nov.-Dec. 1807, Box 2:folder “SCR.) Bill to secure to Rebecca FARROW all property she may hereafter acquire and to secure to John FARROW, her husband, against all future demands of said Rebecca. Read third time and passed. Said John of Currituck County and his wife, Rebecca, have mutually agreed to live separately and apart from each other, and said John FARROW has made a fair and equitable division of his estate with said Rebecca. (GASR Nov.-Dec. 1807. Box 2: folder “SB 14 Dec.”.) Published in N. C. Laws, 1807, p. 39. (Typed as written, all of the errors in spelling)