Petition of Samuel Hall asking for a divorce

To the Legislature of the Territory of WisconsinPetition of Samuel Hall

To the Honourable the Legislature of the Territory of Wisconsin-

The Memorial of Samuel Hall of the town of Lima County of Rock & Territory of Wisconsin-

Respectfully Sheweth-

That on or about the 20th day of March A.D. 1836 your memorialist intermarried with one Sarah Hotel of the town of Middleburg County of Elkhart State of Indiana that the said Sarah was then a widow and the mother of four children, the oldest of whom was 14 and the youngest-3 years of age; that they were removed by one Amy Ball a [Methodis?] Clergyman (whose given name your memorialist was not [subjected?] in said state of Indiana that your memorialist has since continued to live with the said Sarah, as her husband from that period until the 4th day of October last- That at the time of the [illumination?] of such marriage they were both residents of the State of Indiana.

That during said intermarriage the said Sarah has had one child not about 10-years of age and now living

That at the time of the intermarriage of your memorialist aforesaid with the said Sarah Hotel, the said Sarah was prepared of considerable property which she retained for her say have children-two of whom your memorialist has brought up in his own family at his own expense-

Your memorialist would further represent that during a large portion of the time your memorialist and the said Sarah lived together that the said Sarah has wholly disregarded her duty as a wife, that she has repeatedly threatened of leaving her husband that she at several times prepared to leave him by packing and removing her household furniture-that your memorialist could not live with her with any peace to himself and family in consequence of her unquestionable? and unhappy temper, that in consequence of her prospected threats and other indications of leaving him and declaring that she would be living on live with your memorialist as his wife that your memorialist entered into and signed articles of separation, with the said Sarah by paying a portion and expressing to pay to her the sum of two hundred dollars besides her [proposed?] [exception?] that being a reasonable portion of his property and with which she was perfectly satisfied as the remainder was secured to be paid-the said Sarah wife of your memorialist as aforesaid left with her household furniture, declaring this she would never return-which separation took place on the fourth day of October-A.D. 1846 to which articles of separation hereto attached and marked "As Your Memorialist it would respectfully refer

Your memorialist would further represent that at the time he intermarried with the said Sarah Hotel your memorialist was a widower and the father of three children all of whom are now living the eldest person is about 19 and the youngest about 13 years of age-

Your memorialist would therefore respectfully represent that there is no prospect of this even again being [leveted?] with the said Sarah as husband & wife-and from his unfortunate situation and deplorable condition your memorialist would respectfully submit and petition your Honourable body for a divorce to be granted [proven?] dissolving the bonds of matrimony so unfortunately entered into by your memorialist with the said Sarah-all of which is respectfully submitted-Samuel Hall signed Feby 1st 1847

Wisconsin Territory [Walworth?] County [??] Samuel Hall the above named memorialist whose name is thereto subscribed being sworn, says that he was heard said memorial read, and that the contents thereof are true above, and subscribed before me this 1st day of February 1847 The [illegible signature] was in? [illegible] [illegible] for [Walworth?] County Samuel Hall

To the Hon Legislature of Wisconsin

The Samuel Hall & Sarah Hall his wife of the town of Linn in the county of Rock Wisconsin Territory respectfully petition your Hon. body that the marriage contract between the said Samuel Hall and Sarah Hall may be dissolved and be declared null & void herein many unhappy differences exist between the said Samuel Hall and Sarah Hall which render it impossible to live together and they have on account of said differences heretofore signed articles of separation oaths out and [illegible] the above petition your Hon body that the said Samuel Hull pray the said Sarah Hall be [sworn?] united in and entirely of separation [crossed out...]

Samuel Hall Sarah Hall her mark