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To the Honourable Council and House of Representatives of the Territory of Wisconsin in General Assembly [Council?] at Madison in the month of February A.D. 1848.-

The Petition of the undersigned, a citizen of Grant County Wisconsin respectfully represent, that on the second day of January in the year of our Lord 1821 at the town of Fulton in the County of Osiego? and State of New York, was married according to law. Henry Van Vleck and Rachel Van VolBurburgh? the former in the twenty second year of his age and the latter in the seventeenth year of her age. We lived-together as man and wife up to the fifteenth day of September A.D. 1832, during that time we became parents, of five children, four sons and one daughter, at that time (to wit) on the fifteenth day of September A.D. 1832 by mutual agreement of all parties your petitioner left the State of New York to explore the western country to find a location to better the condition of himself and family with a good understanding of both parties that the said wife Rachel should come (move) when [esper?] your petitioner should send for her with funds sufficient to pay expenses for transportation.

And whereas your petitioner did during the month of July A.D. 1834. send a request accompanying money to pay all expenses, for the passage and transportation of the said wife Rachel and family from New York to Wisconsin. And the said wife Rachel did then, and there, at the town of Auburn in the State of New York, refuse to come (or move) to Wisconsin and reside with your petitioner.

And whereas your petitioner did during the month of September A.D. 1840-forward a second request with money sufficient to pay all expenses-and during the month of October A.D. 1840-Your petitioner had the pleasure of receiving his Daughter Helen-with communicaiton from the said wife Rachel stating that she never could consent to come-