Margaret Constance Richard seeks a separation of property and of bed and board from her husband, Alexander McDougald. Margaret claims that, although she has been a "kind faithful, prudent and affectionate wife," her husband has "treated her in a cruel, outrageous, dishonorable and inhuman manner, so as to render her living with him longer insupportable." Margaret informs the court that McDougald has assaulted her on several occasions and tried to kill her. In addition, he has publicly defamed her character by calling her a "damned bitch," a whore, and "accusing her of sleeping with negroes, meaning thereby that your petitioner had been guilty of having criminal connexion with negroes." At the time of their 1810 marriage, Margaret owned considerable property including a plantation and several slaves. She thus asks to have the property she brought into the marriage restored to her, for a division of the property acquired during their marriage, and for a separation from bed and board.
Result: Granted; partly granted; appealed; appeal granted.
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Repository: West Baton Rouge Parish Courthouse, Port Allen, Louisiana
