Case Name: LYDIA JONES v. JAMES JONES
Court: Supreme Court of Ohio
Jurisdiction: Ohio
Decision Date: 1833-04
Citations: 1 Wright 244
Docket Number: 
Parties: LYDIA JONES v. JAMES JONES.
Judges: 
Reporter: Reports of cases at law and in chancery, decided by the Supreme court of Ohio, during the years 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834.
Volume: 1
Pages: 249–249

Head Matter:
LYDIA JONES v. JAMES JONES.
Divorce — extreme cruelty — drunkenness.
Divorce. Charge of continued intoxication and extreme cruelty. The answer denied the ill usage, alleges the plaintiff’s improper demeanor, and that she, improperly yielding to the counsel of her friends, left the defendant’s house without cause.
Proof. That the parties were married two years since. He soon became intemperate. Those living in the same house frequently heard a fuss and quarrel, and had seen her go out into the yard distressed, and him follow and threaten to beat her in and out. He was intoxicated, and there was a fuss every day. He was once heard throw down something, and swear he would cut her throat; the neighbors broke in, and then he laughed, and said he had no intention of hurting her; he only complained of her father; once he pushed her. He never got sober over twice. When the child was about a week old, he pulled her out of her bed and struck her. He knocked his knuckles down, and said he would beat her. He once struck her with a gun. Miss Warrol had seen him come home late at night, and beat her; broke a violin over her; said a good deal more that she did not see. She did not talk nor fight back. She took more than I should have done from any man. Once he struck her with his fist, and once broke a chair and threw at her; she dodged it. Had her by the throat in the yard; she left to go to her father’s; he dragged her back, and swore he would lock her up; she got away, and went home. He went for her; promised to quit drinking, go to church, and do better. *She returned, and [245 things went on as before, till she left. They have one child a year old. He is a cooper, twenty-three or twenty-four years old. ■She is peaceable and respected.

Opinion:
BY THE COURT.
A divorce is decreed, for extreme cruelty. The complainant to have the custody of the child, and the defendant to pay the costs, and two hundred dollars alimony, or execution.