Petition of Sarah H. Roper asking for a divorce

whom her husband, in a fit of alarm had also confessed his violence to her. Some few weeks after this, without the slightest cause or warning and when she had only partially recovered from her late injury, he again kicked her in the abdomen renewing her sufferings for a considerable time.

The prostration and disease, occasioned by the blows she had received, were so severe and alarming, his fits of passion and cruelty so sudden and uncontrollable, that she was in constant danger and fear, and that she ocould no withhold the knowledge of her sufferings and peril from her father who was and is her only protector and accordingly she revealed all to him. But this only rendered him still more harsh and severe, becoming excited whenever she was seen by him conversing with her father, his anger bursting out as soon as he was unrestrained by his presence, and threatening vengeance if she revealed his cruelty to him thus keeping her in constant fear and dread of personal violence. And she has no doubt his fear of her father is all that has saved her from now frequent beating, if not fatal violence.

And your petitioner further represents, that about the time the said Roper and your petitioner commenced to live with her Father in Syracuse, her father set the said Roper up in the Mercantile business. Which he continued about four years, sinking about one thousand dollars a year, and at length failed. That his failure was occasioned by his constant dissippation, and consequent incapacity for business. That since that time he has been engaged in no business, but has been supported as well as your petitioner by her father. That he has obtained the means of procuring liquor partly from his brother, but chiefly from your petitioner in small sums extorted from her out pocket

money furnished by her father. He has also procured large quantities of liquor on credit which have been entered at Groceries as "sundries" among articles furnished the family, and paid for by her, with money given her by her father.

That at length her father becoming aware that she yielded to her husband's commands and gave him money, required of her a promise that she would not give him any more money to by liquor with, as the condition of receiving any herself. But she could not make such promise to her father because she knew it would be dangerous for her to deny her husband. Money was accordingly withheld from her, upon which her husband became exceeding by violent and abusive where she told him she had not any. He either believed or pretended to believe, that she had money and would not give it to him, and his treatment became intolerable. His threats have been frightful, telling her that if it were not for her father, or if he were out of the way, he would have her in his own power, that if he had her in some corner of his own he would thrash her, and that the time would come when he would have control, thereby intimating that if her father was dead or removed from her he would commit unrestrained violence upon her person.

And your petitioner further represents that nearly ten months ago the Brother of her husband Isaac Roper, came to her father's house and took him home with him to the city of Utica, solely as he said to rescue her from his tyranny.

And your petitioner further represents unto your Honorable Body, that during all the time aforesaid, she has always conducted towards her said

husband in a kind and dutiful manner, that she has always obeyed him even in his extravagant demands, when intoxicated. That in his sober moments he has uniformly expressed his approval of her conduct towards him. That she never complained of his severity and cruelty till her personal safety required such disclosure. That she has used every pursuasion to prevent his violence and to deter him from the habit of drunkenness. That these efforts have from time to time been seconded by her father and his brother, but all to no purpose. That her father is her only reliance for protection against the abuse and violence of the said William Roper her husband. That her said father is advanced in years and of infirm health, and she is liable again to be thrown under the power of one, to whome the law may give the control of her person, not for protection and support, but to execute the violence which he has so frequently threatened in such a contingency.

And your petitioner further represents, that her said husband has long since neglected to provide either for himself or her, they having no children, and has ceased to regard the duties and obligations of a husband. That after his Brother took him to Utica in the state of New York, she determined to change her residence to some place distant from the scene of her former long continued misery, and with that view removed to the Territory of Wisconsin, whither, as she is informed and believes, his men all still pursue her.

And your petitioner further represents, that all hope of reformation or restoration of her said

husband has long since ceased. That she cannot longer live with him, because she is in constant danger and alarm from his violent bursts of anger and outrage against which no caution or prudence will enable her to guard. That from the threats he has frequently made she can never consider her person or life safe with him after the departure of her father.

Therefore, your petitioner prays your Honorable Body, in consideration of the premises, to pass an act, dissolving the marriage contract, between your petitioner and the said William Roper. And your petitioner will ever pray &c. Sarah H. Roper

Territory of Wisconsin, Milwuakee County SS

Before me peronsally came the above named Sarah H. Roper, and made oath that she had heard the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the matters therein stated of her own knowledge are true, and that those stated upon information and belief, she believes to be true this 16th day of October A.D. 1847.

A.D. Smith Master in Chancery

[illegible] 11/48 Executive Message

Roper v Roper Feby 11 1848 [illegible]