Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-11-17
4 LEGAL PARODY,

IL, b, Declaration Of Independence.
f,loviug petition for divorce was filed
,R,sof the clerk Of the Supreme Court Of
rp.,, County, at the June term, in 1921,
r,,,nsu,hed lawyer of this town. 1t is pro-
~, ue.should here state, that to this petition
10. demurrer was filed. But upon solemn
n.ot !, vas oyerruied by the court; and the
.,,o, ,hongh exceedingly unique in its style
,b,,seoogy, was nevertheless, fully sustain.
md the parties legally divorced BY the court,
,abi,b it as i legal, literary curiosity,i in the
sr,( ma, it will prove as amusing to the public
.,-,,rly. 4, i, has been interesting TO US.
Scioto Gazette.
p,., Circuit COuri-Jlme Term, 1921.
a-''s' q, N'''"'' Petition for Divorce
E,u,nD MrnpHr,
r. n, honorable The Judges of the Supreme
G,rd ofMs STATE Of Ohio, IN and for Ross
County,
n, Dcrition of Eleanor Murphy of said conn
y r.,pstttuly showeth unto YOUR honors, That
mi, inward, of three years since, your petition
!, mtermarried with one Edward Murphy, (she
mon hem, a widow, with family of several chill
I,n. and possessed Of considerable property the
aid Edward beng native Of Ireland, aud some
that Oi stranger to your petitioner.
YVar petitioner holds these truths to be self ey
dsn,:-That all women are endowed with GER
ain unaIieuabe rights; hat among these are lite,
ibcrry, and the pursuit OF happiness; that to Sc
cure these rights, marriages are instituted among
hen, deriving their just powers from the contract
sl the married; that whenever any marriage be
ZONES destructive to these ends, it is the right OF
YOUR hOnOrs to alter or TO abolish it, and To in
,dure new mode Of support for an agsrieved
sOman-aying its foundation ON such principals
and Orgaulllns It's powers IA such form as to your
maOrs snail seem most likely to effect her safety,
pace, aud happiness. Prudence, indeed will
lraie that marriages, long established, should
no, be changed for light and transient causes; and
accordingly, all experience, hath shewn, that
women are more disposed TO suffer- while evils
Te siderable, than to right themselves, by abOl-
sn!ng the forms to which they are accustOmed:-
Bat when lOnI train OF abu,es-pursuing inva-
ABLY the same object, evlnces design to destroy
al the peace and happiness Of wife, and TO re-
dIce her toa state Of poverty and wretchedness,
th her right, it is her duty to throw off such a
husband, aud to provide new guards for the fu-
lure security Of herself and children! Such, NAV
4 please Your hOnors.) has been the patient suf-
'crcnce Of your petitioner: and such is now the
necessity which constrains her to alter her former
nda OF lie, aud to apply to your honurs for d-
'orCs IRON the sand Edward Murphy. The histo-
vOirepeated injuries .abuses, quarres and fights:
all having IN direct object the destruction OF your
'c'i'ioner, and the establishment of an absolute
yrannS over herself aud children. To prove
.d, let lacts be submitted to your honors.
lie has. at sundry times since their inter mar
Ale' stricken, beaten, wounded, aud abused
'olr demonstrating her with extreme cru.
,lv.
Tie mas refused his assent to measures the most
"'o'esome aud necessary for the good of your
9sultouer and family.
lie has forbidden your petitioners children to
~ acts and perform services of immediate and
Ae"'ng Importance to your petitioner aud fami-
y unless his assent should be obtained, and when
"N"' HAS dUuScu l.le CflliuCcu iOT dttcUu-
nl 20 them
We has refused to do acts for the accommoda-
',o Of your petitioner aud family, unless your
Z, would relinquish to him the right, and
'mOst The affection for her children-a eight in
sImaoe TO her. and formidable To a SAVAGE only.
lie has called your petitioners children to
'Ees uncomfortable, unusual and dlstap, from
le,' home. from the sole purpose Of abusing them
~ Husulns them into compliance with his
'easures.
for cutting off the friendly intercourse of your
'unonsr with all her connexions and relatives:
roI taking away aud wasting her property /;
the most valuable institutions Of the ia
N.Y. and altering, fundamentally, the forms Of
5 government:
d, lie has declared your petitioner out of his pro-
,coon' and is wasins a perpetual war against
lie has plundered her house, ravased her farm,
arnt her property, and destroyed the peace Of
eIseli and children:
IL. ne IS at this time transporting OF all the pro-
o.N Ol your petitioner and children, and dis
Dsns OF destroying the same. to complete the
80 c' deSoiation aud cruelty already begun,
'm circumstances Of cruelty and perfidy, total.
unworthy the head Of civilized family.