This is a longer proceeding while I'll abstract on a 13 below zero day. Plaintiff: Sarah Jackson by her next friend Robert W. HAMILTON Defendant: Lewis Jackson Date: 11 May 1887 File No. 2 Note: Next friend here means that she has hired someone to speak for her; this would be a guardian ad litem. Either she was under age or felt that she nor anyone in her family could speak for themselves. This was a common procedure. The friend could be a lawyer, family friend, family member or someone who agreed to speak for her.The first line below explains why she has a "friend." Sarah JACKSON says she is an infant under 21 years of age; resides in Monroe Co and has lived in Monroe Co for the last 15 years. Note here that people were called infants until they reached age 21; an infant of tender years was younger. She is the daughter of her next friend. This explains that her father is speaking for her and that gives her maiden name. Her father is also a Monroe Co citizen and there is no reason that he can't speak for (represent) her. He is free from any disability. In other words, he is sane and has intimate knowledge of the situation. Sarah and Lewis were married in Clay Co TN in August 1883 - that will place the location of their marriage, likely an elopement (see her age below) - possibly because she was underage. They lived together in Monroe Co from the day they were married and lived there ever since; both still live in Monroe Co. On about June 1894 the defendant left her and lived apart from her - about the 8th of June. He didn't give her any excuse; she did all to be a good wife to him, etc. (normal statements). After he left, a child was born to them, their own offspring; a son named Thomas Jackson. She has custody of the boy. The defendant has never done anything for her or their child; he has never seen their son. Her father, representing her prays for a divorce, to be restored to the rights of an unmarried woman, alimony and placing the child legally under her care. W S MAXEY was her attorney. Her father swore the statements were true. Lewis Jackson was then notified to appear on the 16th of Nov 1887 to give his deposition, plus various persons at the dwelling house of Jesse BACON in Monroe Co. Maxey said he would continue taking depositions from day to day until everyone was deposed. Mary A HAMILTON, 16 Nov 1867 at the house of Melissa J. DENHAM. She doesn't know how old she is, any record showing it has been destroyed. Lives in Monroe Co, knows both parties, the defendant about 15 years. She is Sarah's mother, knows her daughter and defendant were married; that he deserted her. They lived at her house. He was making a crop when he left, Sarah is still living with her. She was present when he left her. He had asked Sarah to to to Isaac FRAZIER's but she was not well enough to go and he left. (Likely she was pregnant at this time). He had only been back one time about 9-10 months ago. Sarah is 20 years old last August. A child was born to them, a boy, it died last July. Note: Now Sarah said she had a baby in May when the case was started, wanted full custody. By November, the child had died. P S BRAY deposed at the same time and place; age 54, farmer, lived in Monroe Co. Knew Sarah and Lewis, knew Sarah's father. Knew the parties had lived in Monroe Co at least 15 years. Knew that he left her and when he came back. Lewis had told him that he had been in Wayne Co KY and that Sarah was living with her mother. JUDGMENT: The marriage was set aside as naught, bonds of matrimony set aside; she is divorced from Lewis and restored to all the rights and privileges of a single woman. She is to recover from Lewis her costs for bringing the case and an allowance of $20 to pay Maxey. Note: There is a lot to learn in this proceeding. A single woman could buy and sell, transact business, etc. A married woman could not. This is why she wanted to be restored to all the rights and privileges of a single woman. Sandi Colonel Sandi Gorin President, South Central KY Historical & Genealogical Society Sandi's website: http://www.gensoup.org/gorin/index.html Sandi's puzzlers: http://www.gensoup.org/gorinpuzzles/index.php