Currituck Co., NC Divorces & Separations

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CURRITUCK COUNTY DIVORCES AND SEPARATIONS
from Petitions to the
North Carolina General Assembly
1779-1837
Abstracted by Janet and Ransom McBride
© 2009
Posted here with permission from the North Carolina Genealogical Society

Ruth Bell, wife of William Bell of Currituck Co., NC, states that they were married about 3 years ago but after 12 months he left her with one child and did not contribute to their support. The father of Ruth would like to share his property with his other children but believes that said William's creditors would seize any share given to Ruth. The General Assembly Session Records for Nov.-Dec 1798 states that Ruth is entitled to possess sole right to all estate she may hereafter acquire, as if she had never been married.

Lemuel Sanders of Currituck Co., NC states that in 1792 he married his present wife, Sabra, and lived with her in harmony until July 1793 when, without just cause, she eloped with another man (unnamed) and has since not returned. The Senate Bill on Nov. 18, 1795 rejected his petition.

John Farrow of Cape Hatteras, Currituck Co., NC states that he married Rebekah Tolson in 1791 and she became very discontented with him and would leave his bed for months at a time; that she also took up with adulterous men and finally took up with a Thomas Rolinson. She removed to the town of Washington and so from place to place continuing in the same detestable practices until this time. Petitioner has remained in these circumstances for two years, He prays for a dissolution of his marriage as does his wife which was attested to by signatures of 4 subscribers. She signed as Rebakah (x) Farrow. The petition came before the Senate Nov. 22, 1800 and before the House Nov. 25, 1800.

The second petition of John Farrow is dated Aug. 26, 1801 and begins in the same manner as his first petition. She forsook Rolinson and removed the the town of Beauford [sic] and continued there some months and at length she returned to Currituck County and took up with a certain William O Neal and has been with him two years and she has one child. Petitioner has remained in these circumstances for four years, He prays for a dissolution of his marriage as does his wife which was attested to by signatures of 27 subscribers. Depositions of Elisabeth (x) Burket, Sarah (+) Midyett, and Christain (x) Jennett, state that they had seen said Rebecca Farrow, wife of John Farrow, in bed with other men. The General Assembly Session Record is dated Nov.-Dec 1801.

[Appears to be the 3rd Petition of] John Farrow and Rebekah (Foulson) Farrow [Rebekah Tolson in the 1st petition] Oct. 3, 1805 John Farrow of Currituck Co., NC state that he married Rebekah Foulson about 14 years ago and lived with her about 6 years "in most conjugal affection". However she gave herself to other men and became a prostitute to all who would partake of her wicked and lewd practice for the past 8 years. She has moved from place to place and at this time "lives with a man and his wife". She has had three children and is now pregnant again which she has begotten in adultery. Petitioner prays for a divorce. Signatures of 48 subscribers support the petitioner. Petition for divorce is rejected. The General Assembly Session Record is dated Nov.-Dec 1805.

John Farrow of Currituck County states that 16 years ago he intermarried with Rebekah Foulson [Rebecca in another place] and for about 4 or 5 years lived in peace and happiness but finally she gave herself up to illicit amours with other men and increased in all manner till she became an open prostitute. She eloped from the bed & board of your petitioner and took up with a Thomas Rolenson. After continuing with him for 2 or 3 years he went off and never returned. Then she took up with William Oneel who remained with her 3 or 4 years and by him she had 2 children but he went off and left her also. 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 called upon your petitioner for support and involved him in much difficulties and swears he shall maintain her bastards although they have remained in a separate situation for more than 10 years. Your petitioner gave her much part of his estate as will appear by receipt and articles of agreement accompanying this petition. He prays for a law to be passed to dissolve the marriage contract between the said John & Rebecca Farrow or to secure to each of the parties all such property as they now have or hereafter acquire. In case of the death of either party, the surviving one shall not be entitled to any distribution, right of dower, or otherwise to any estate of the deceased and that no children begotten since the separation shall be considered lawful heirs to other property. [Enclosed:] Contract dated May 24, 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 [Major?] Whidbee. Committee of Divorce and Alimony is of the opinion that it would be just proper to grant the petitioner's prayer. Bill to secure to Rebecca Farrow all property she may hereafter acquire and to secure to John Farrow, her husband, against all demands of said Rebecca. Read 3rd time and passed. Said John of Currituck County and his wife, Rebecca, have mutually agreed to live separately and apart from each other. Said John has made a fair and equitable division of his estate with said Rebecca. General Assembly Session Record dated Nov.-Dec. 1807. Published in N.C. Law, 1807; pg. 39.

Petition of Sally Carpenter, wife of Joseph Carpenter of Currituck Co., NC, states that she married Joseph about 12 years ago, whose conduct soon convinced her that what property they possessed would soon be consumed by his extravagance & waste, which ultimately proved to be the case. She stated that Joseph left her in a state of indigence and she had to rely on her friends. She prays that a law to secure to her what property she may hereafter acquire. She referred the petition to the Committee of Divorce and Alimony and they are of the opinion that clemency of the Legislature ought to be extended to her and recommend that a bill be passed. The bill to secure the property of Sally Carpenter was passed after the 3rd reading. The General Assembly Session Record is dated Nov.-Dec. 1807.

Memorial of Ambrose N. Dough of Currituck Co., N.C., mariner, sheweth that he intermarried Barbara Midgett of Roanoke Island in the county aforesaid in the year 1802. At that time, your memorialist was at the age of 18 and the said Barbara was in her 15th year. They cohabitated with each other about 2 years and 4 months, when during your memorialist's absence in his seafaring occupation, he discovered that his wife had proved faithless and cohabitated with a certain John Wescott. She has since openly lived and cohabitated with this man and has 2 children by the said Wescott, but some by your memorialist. At the time of their marriage, said Barbara was seized and possessed of 76 acres of land which your memorialist improved as far as he could. He desires an amicable separation from his wife and prays for a suitable relief. The committee to whom was referred the following petition from Ambrose N. Dough praying for a divorce from bonds of matrimony are of opinion that it is inexpedient to grant the relief prayed for and recommend that the same be rejected. General Assembly Session Record Nov.-Dec.1809. Read and concurred with by Senate & House, Dec. 19, 1809.

Petition of Nancy Ballance of Currituck County states that in March 1802 at about the age of 22 years, she married one Charles Ballance of said county, and they lived peaceably for about 9 months. At the end of that time, the said Charles "became utterly crazy and deranged in mind and continued so for about 9 months more." He then somewhat came to his senses and conducted business in a poor manner for 3 months, wasted all of his property and again became more deranged than before. This spell last for 3 years and included violence towards petitioner. His reason was restored in some measure and the said Charles and your petitioner undertook to live together until in March 1812, he became deranged again. His violent conduct resumed and petitioner separated from him entirely. The Wardens of the Poor took possession of his property and sold it for his support, not leaving your petitioner a part of it. The said Charles "is now running up and down the county like a madman....and is not rational enough to do any kind of labor." He had threatened to take her life, and she has gone to her brother's house. The said Charles has now advanced to the age of 48 or 50 years and shows no prospect of getting better. She prays for a divorce from her said husband. Subscribed to by the signatures of 19 supporters. [On reverse] "REJECTED". The General Assembly Session Record is dated Nov.-Dec. 1813.

[Appears to be the 2nd Petition of] Nancy (x) Ballance of Currituck County states that she intermarried with Charles Ballance in 1802, "...and in seven months after their marriage, he unfortunately became deranged and remained so nine months, when he suddenly came to his understanding and continued for two and a half months, when he again became deranged...began to buy and sell and make bargains, used all kinds of violence toward your petitioner, making many and repeated attempts to take away her life...destroyed every vistage of his property and continued distracted for about twelve months when he became helpless...and after continuing in this state for the space of three years, he again became deranged...was raving...spent and wasted the whole of his property...set fire to his house and repeatedly endeavoured to kill her." Petitioner then left him and went home to her father's where she continued 4 years when her father died and some property fell to her by her father's death. Her husband remained insane and entirely helpless and may be said to be in a state of Idiotism. She prays for a law to secure to her such property she has or many fall to her by descent or that which she may acquire. [On reverse] "granted as to property yet to be acquired". The General Assembly Session Record is dated Nov.-Dec. 1816. [See this page for more details.]

Petition of Eliza (x) Dowday of Currituck County states that about 7 years ago she intermarried with John Dowday hoping to enjoy the blessing of married life. In a short time said husband began to treat her in a most horrid manner and continued to do so until about 5 or 6 years ago. He turned her out of the house without the least means of support. Despite frequent solicitations to return to live with him as a loving wife, his answer was accompanied by threats of violence. He has taken up with another woman and has had 3 children by her and still lives with her as his wife. His conduct has reduced his circumstances to insolvency and is unable to support his Miss and children. Your petitioner is likely to inherit a small sum by the death of her father and prays for an act securing any property she may hereafter acquire. The General Assembly Session Record is dated Nov.-Dec. 1814.

CURRITUCK RECORDS OF DIVORCE OR SEPARATIONS FOUND IN NEWSPAPERS