Introduction to Trends in Frontier Divorce

In early American history divorce was practically unheard of, however, the divorce rate began to steadily increase in the mid-eighteenth century with the reform of divorce laws. Still, the adoption of progressive divorce laws remained slow nationally, eventually coming under federal jurisdiction with Haddock v. Haddock in 1906, when the state of New York refused to recognize a divorce granted by Connecticut. In the case of Maynard v. Hill the Supreme Court maintained “marriage was considered the most important relation in life…. having more to do with the morals and civilization of a people than any other institution.” Examination of divorce records from the 1860’s provides insight into both the institution of marriage and the circumstances of divorce during a period when divorce rates accelerated, yet remained uncommon. This web site provides insight into the circumstances and causes surrounding divorce in Walla Walla County in the 1860’s. The essay, case summaries and available transcriptions utilize divorce testimony from the Frontier Justice records of Washington Territory, available through the Washington State Archives. Examination of the documents is intended to establish greater understanding of the reasons for divorce, as well as custody, property and alimony decisions of the court.


Essay
“The Justice of Frontier Divorce”: this essay examines the causes and circumstances of divorce in Walla Walla County during the 1860’s.


Documents
Overview: This list of ten cases contains links to divorce records that have been fully or partially transcribed. Accuracy remained the central goal during transcription however, due to incomplete records, 1860’s handwriting, issues of document clarity, as well as the human factor, there may be errors. Summaries are also available for these cases, as well as ten additional cases. The summaries include information such as marriage date and location, divorce filing and finalization dates, the major reasons for the divorce complaint as well as surrounding circumstances and general details concerning custody, property and alimony.

Transcripts and Summaries

Nancy M. Bowers v. George W. Bowers, 789 Walla Walla County 1st district (1865).
Causes for divorce included adultery, failure to provide and abandonment.

Mary Clough v. Ned Clough, 426 Walla Walla County 1st district (1862).
Causes for divorce included failure to provide, drunkenness and abuse

Catherine Cox v. William Cox, 716 Walla Walla County 1st district (1864).
The cause for divorce was adultery.

W.M. Ewing v. Cynthia Ewing, 465 Walla Walla County 1st district (1864).
Causes for divorce included abandonment and adultery.

Catherine Galbreath v. James Galbreath, 447 Walla Walla County 1st district (1867).
The cause for divorce was physical and verbal abuse.

William Horton v. Kate Horton, 333 Walla Walla County 1st district (1861).
The cause for divorce was abandonment.

Jacob Kenoyer v. Martha Kenoyer, 101 Walla Walla County 1st district (1869).
Causes for divorce included abandonment and immoral and indecent behavior.

Alvin B. Roberts v. Martha E. Roberts, 849 Walla Walla County 1st district (1866).
The cause for divorce was adultery.

Mary Emily Vint v. Robert Vint, 839 Walla Walla County 1st district (1866).
Causes for divorce included failure to provide, drunkenness and abandonment.

John C. Wells v. Martha Ann Wells, 429 Walla Walla County 1st district (1862).
The cause for divorce was abandonment.

Summaries
Angus Brown v. Elizabeth Brown, 490 Walla Walla County 1st district (1864)
The cause for divorce was abandonment.

Lovina Dovel v. John Dovel, 427A Walla Walla County 1st district (1862).
Causes for divorce included incompatible differences, verbal and physical abuse.

William French vs. Sarah French, 368 Walla Walla County 1st district (1868).
The cause for divorce was abandonment.

Josephine Holmes vs. James Holmes 10, Walla Walla County 1st district (1868).
The cause for divorce was abandonment.

Mary Elizabeth Joy vs. J.C. Joy 886, Walla Walla County 1st district (1863).
Causes for divorce included failure to provide and abuse.

Henry La Fleur vs. Julia LaFleur 1086, Walla Walla County 1st district (1867).
Causes for divorce included adultery and abandonment.

Minerva Macy vs. Cosby Macy 344, Walla Walla County 1st district (1869).
Causes for divorce included failure to provide and abandonment.

Mary Lynch vs. Alexander Lynch 102, Walla Walla County 1st district (1869).
The cause for divorce was physical and verbal abuse.

John Moorehead vs. Ester Moorehead 553, Walla Walla County 1st district (1865).
The cause for divorce was abandonment.

Ellen Thomas vs. John Thomas 874, Walla Walla County 1st district (1866).
Causes for divorce included failure to provide, abuse and abandonment.