In 1853, Martha Ann Powell, the widow of William T. Powell of Baldwin County, married John F. Crow, a man of no property who soon revealed his penchant for whiskey and violence. On one occasion, for example, Crow returned home after a drunken spree and began beating one of Martha's slaves, holding down her head and "stampping her in the breast." Martha begged him "not to Kill the slave but to tie her up and whip her as slave should be whipped." He replied: "You dam bitch," and when he finished beating the black woman he turned on his wife, striking her also on the breast "three blows with great violence." Months later she still felt the pain. He threatened to kill her on more than one occasion and said that he would not be satisfied until she was dead and buried. In 1855, she files suit to prevent him from selling her property; she also seeks a divorce and the restoration of her former name.
Result: Partially granted.
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Repository: University of South Alabama Archives, Mobile, Alabama
