48. __ Joshua See Bond V. BROWN. 49. BYRUM James. Petition of James BYRUM of Bertie Co., NC, states that he married Amelia KEEN of said county of Bertie in August 1791. He discovered too late that he was united with one whose violence of temper and inconstancy in bed rendered it barely possible for him to endure her ways. He lived with her four years and hoped for some change, but she removed herself to the State of Tennessee and has remained there ever since. During the petitioner’s cohabitation with the said Amelia, one child was born to them which your petitioner means to provide for in the best manner. He has been informed that the said Amelia long since her residence in Tennessee has been delivered of another child, and he is bound by law to support as well the children born to his wife as long as the marriage continues. He prays an act to dissolve the marriage between him and the said Amelia. (GASP Nov.-Dec. 1801, Box 3: Folder “Petitions, Divorce, name change”). House Bill: Whereas Amelia BYRUM, wife of James BYRUM of Bertie Co., has left the house of her husband and removed to the State of Tennessee and given herself up to illicit practices of familiarity with other men, the said James BYRUM shall not be answerable for any debt hereafter contracted by said Amelia his wife, nor shall said Amelia have any right of dower in any estate of said James nor shall said James be liable for the support of any children the said Amelia shall have delivered after the expiration of nine months from the time she left his house. In House and Senate, 26 Nov. 1801, and referred to Committee. (GASR Nov.-Dec. 1801, Box 1: Folder “HB, 26 Nov”). 50. CANDLER Zachariah. Petition of Zachariah CANDLER of Buncombe Co., NC, attested to by 17 subscribers signatures, prays for a divorce from his wife, Rhoday, dated 15 Oct. 1800. Said Zachariah and wife were resident in Buncombe County for eight years past. He is still a resident, but his wife Rhoday departed from her said husband nearly five years previous to the said date and has not returned. From other evidence- we have been creaditly informed that the afore said Rhoday has been Marryed to another Man and has one child by him and we do believe that if any man on Earth is intitled to a Devorsment from his wife that the aforesaid CANDLER is justly intitled to one from his wife Rhoday . . .“ In Senate, 21 Nov. 1800, and referred to Committee. (GASR Nov.-Dec. 1800, Box 3: Folder “Petitions, Divorce, name change”). 51. CAZEY [CASEY?], William. Petition of William (x) CAZEY and wife Catharine (x) CAZEY of Rowan Co., NC, that they married each other in 1793 and continued together a great strife for the Term of six weeks, after which time Your Petitioners seperated themselves and have ever since continued seperated. They pray for an act to divorce them or to secure to each such property as they now possess or may hereafter acquire. In House and Senate, 20 Nov. 1801, and referred to Committee. (GASP Nov.-Dec. 1801, Box 3: Folder “Petitions, Divorce, name change”). 52. COAKELEY/COKELY, Sarah. Petition of Sarah COKELEY, generally called Sarah HAWLEY, sheweth that in the Year 1780, your petitioner intermarried on the Island of St. Martins with a certain Benjamin COAKLEY with whom she lived in the habits of matrimony till sometime in the Year 1786. This union became intolerable, and the two partners agreed to separate. Said Benjamin delivered to your petitioner his written obligation, bearing date of 17 June 1788, in the sun of £5,000 conditioned for his never thereafter intermeddling with or disturbing your Petitioner either on her person or her property. Your petitioner having then been but a short time resident in the State of North Carolina and being to a great measure ignorant of its laws, your petitioner erroneously considered that said Benjamins written obligation amounted to a dissolution of the bonds of matrimony between said Benjamin and herself, and in the Year 1788, intermarried with William HAWLEY of Newbern. Your petitioner lived with said William in a state of great conjugal happiness (having had by him several children) till the Fall of 1799, when the yellow fever raged with great violence in the Town of Newborn, and said William died intestate, leaving considerable property both real and personal. However, in consequence of her not being legally divorced from the said Benjamin COAKLEY (her first husband), she and her said children have been considered as having no claim upon the estate of said William. She prays for a law entitling her to the sole use of the property she now has or may hereafter acquire. In House and Senate, 24 Nov. 1800, and referred to Committee. Report of Committee of Propositions and Grievances recommends that her prayers be granted and a suitable bill be passed. In House and Senate, 29 Nov. 1800, and concurred with. (GASP Nov.-Dec. 1800, Box 3: Folder “JCR, Prop. & Grievances #1”). Bill to secure to Sarah COKELY (alias Sarah HAWLEY, widow of William HAWLEY) of New Bern, formerly The wife of Benjamin COKELEY, such estate as she now has or hereafter may acquire. In House and Senate, 3 & 4 Dec. 1800, read 3d time, and passed. (GASP Nov.-Dec. 1800, Box 1: Folder “HB - 29