Petition of Providence Hughes asking for a divorce

Providence Hughes Petition for Divorce

Mr. Starling Dec. 7 1838 Laid on the table

To the Honourable the Legilsative Assembly of the Territory of Wisconsin the petition of Providense she respectfully sheweth.

That your petitioner was, on the 16 day of June 1833 married to Benjamin Hughes and that from circumstances entirely without the control of your petitioner, which your petitioner forbears to mention the said marriage was productive of the most unfortunate consequences to your petitioner; your petitioner would respectfully represent to your Honourable body that you petitioner for many months last past has been entirely dependant on her self and parents for support of your petitioner and her son, the offspring of said marriage, and that during all of which time the husband of your petitioner has been living seperate and apart from you petitioner. Your petitioner therefore pray your Honourable body to disolve the bonds of matrimony subsisting between your petitioner and her said husband, and that you

petitioner may be permitted to retain the custody and guardianship of your petitioners infant son, aged eleven months. And as in duty bound your petitioner will ever pray.

Providence Hughes