Petition #20186111

Abstract

Margaret Merritt informs the court that she married her husband, Albert Merritt, while she was not yet fourteen years of age. Less than a year has elapsed since the wedding; she now asks the court for a divorce, alleging that her husband treats her cruelly and "is a habitual drunkard." She charges that he "only married her for her property and that he intended to take her property off and sell it and spend the money and leave her without any thing." When drinking he is a man of "great violence" and often threatened her with physical harm. At the time of their marriage she owned seven slaves under the control of her guardian John Sawyer, but now her husband has taken possession of the slaves. She asks for an injunction restraining him from running off and selling her slaves.

Result: Granted.

13 people are documented within petition 20186111

Or you may view all people.

Citation information

Repository: Talladega County Judicial Building, Talladega, Alabama

Subjects