The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-05-29
INTERESTING DIVORCE CASE.

/ lNIERESlING DIVORCE CASE.
The case set forth in the following petit
ion, has excited good deal of interest,"
If the facts as stated are true, we have never
heard Of case where the legal dissolution
Of the marriage tie is more loudly called for.
Subsequently to the presentation Of the
petition an arrangement has been made for
the separation Of the parties; Doct. J. hay-
! ing agreed to allow his wife handsome
maintenance, aud tho business had gone so
far that the papers were prepared-the faith
Of the parties and their counsel pledged
and his counsel had gone home, when he
backed out. The trial Of the petition by
the Legislature was expected to have taken
place yesterday.
TO the Hon. General assembly of the
State of Connecticut, to be holden at
Hartford; on the first "Wednesday Of
May, 1889.
The Petition Of Sarah NJ. Jarvis, of Mid
dletown, in said State, respectfully shew
e,h.-That on the third day of July, 1910,
she was lawfully married to Samuel F.
Jarvis, now Of said Middletown. Few
!, have reason to anticipate from that sacred
relation, so much happiness as, IN this in
stance, it seemed to promise; and in few
| cases have circumstances so ausplcIous at
tended any other family. The condition
Of her husband has ever been favorable TO
enjoyment and usefulness. Possessed of
an ample fortune, and belonging to n pro-
iession distinguished for usefulness, honor
and domestic peace; ; he seemed to be bless
ed with every means To render his own
family happy and respectable. But from
) an early period after they were united, un-
iii this day, her life has been one contin-
ued scene Of wretcheduess. She soon
found, 10 her very great surprise, and dis
appointment, that DIR. Jarvis had a dispo-
si,iou wholly incompatible with domestic
I happiness. His spirit was iyraunical, and
| his temper towards your petitioner, violent,
reckless, and ungovernable. Without any
Jus, provocation he has often inflicted upon
her cruel blows, and by his debasing, and
severe cxactions, has humbIed her in the
, dust. During this long period, she has en-
dcavorcd, from a wish to preserve the rep
utaion of the family, and secret hope of
better days, fondly, though family cherished,
to confne her suflerings, rs far as possible,
to her own bosom. But her life has be-
come nt last so hopelessly miserable, that she
has been compelled to ask counsel of her
friends, and finally to seek relief from this
Hon. General Assembly. She will not un-
dertake to give detail of the numerous in
stances of personal violence which she has
suffered bu, will relate a few as specimens
of their character
One Sabbath morning in the early part
of their marriage life, while she was in
situation which required all his sympathy
and tenderness, he struck her several times
upon her temple with his fist, with great
violence, by which she was thrown into
such an agony of pain and fear, MS to re-
quire the attendance of an eminent ply
sician.
Her head continued swollen for more
than a week, during which time she was
confined to her room, and was never spoken
to by her husband.
! On another occasion, by the nfliction of
similar blows, her eye became infamed and
blood shot, and so remained for many days.
In such cases your petitioner has given no
just cause of offence.
She has often been amazed, at the out
RACES he would perpetrate upon her for a
single word spoken without the thought of
giving him offence.
Thus at particular time, one little
daughter, having accidentally let fall drop
of ink upon her book, DIR. J. immediately
seized the book, and struck the child in the
face, which sent her crying from the room.
Your petitioner, under the influence of
mothers feelings, remarked that the pun
ishment seemed too severe for the offence.
Upon which her husband came in great
passion at her, and seized her by the nose,
and held and wrung that with one hand,
while with the other he beat her viol emily
on the side of the head For some time
Gerlnsa female was employed IN the fam
ily as governess Of the children. An atten-
ton was shown to her by DR.. j. which in-
dica,ed very improper partiolity.
lie was in the habit of waiting upon her,
to and from the table, giving her his arm,
of riding and walking with her in public,
and in short, showing her that preference,
aud bestowing upon her those civiliies which
belong only To u wife, and deprivation of
which,-especially when they are devoted
To another, is calculated To render a wife
broken hearted. One evening rs the pe-
ti,ioner was binding up the foot Of her
daughter, which had been burned, her son,
then about l6 years of age, whispered to
her, that the governess had received lover
iuto the petitioners private apartment. She
reproved the governess for it. DIR. J. aud
the governess were sitting together reading
German. lie took the part of the COVER
ness, aud with great violence Of manner, in-
dicaiing paroxysm Of anger, ordered your
petitioner, To leave the room. Being en-
eag,d in Flushing the application OF the
fL..J,co d, her dauybt,r,s Go, sbs lid moi