[1036] Conn. Col. Rec., X, 168 (May, 1753).
[1037] Ibid., XI, 544, 545 (May, 1761).
[1038] Thus a divorce was granted in 1774: ibid., XIV, 223, 387, 388; and two instances occurred in May, 1821: Swift, Digest, I, 23.
[1039] An act of 1837 refers incidentally to divorces which have been or shall be "granted, either by the general assembly or by the superior court, on the application of a married woman."—Pub. Stat. Laws (1837), 33; also in Pub. Stat. Laws (general revision, 1838), 187. Query: Did this act invite and authorize appeal to the assembly in such matters?
[1040] For the annual lists of divorces granted by the assembly see Resolves and Private Acts of the State of Conn. (1837), 3 ff.; ibid. (1838), 13-16; ibid. (1839), 28-42; ibid. (1840),9-14; ibid. (1841), 23-28; ibid. (1842), 4-16; ibid. (1843), 10-20; ibid. (1844), 8; ibid. (1845), 15, 16; ibid. (1846), 15-19; ibid. (1847), 31-34; ibid. (1848), 61-69; ibid. (1849), 46-56. The last of these divorces is that of Candace Williams, of New Haven, from F. Walter Williams, May, 1850; ibid. (1850), 21.
[1041] Here is a typical case, though often the resolve is much briefer:
"Upon the petition of Polly M. Mead of Danbury, Fairfield County, and State of Connecticut, praying a bill of divorce from her husband, Martin Mead of said Danbury, which petition was duly served and returned:
"Resolved by the Assembly, that the said Polly M. Mead be, and she is hereby divorced from the said Martin Mead, and is and forever hereafter shall be absolved from all obligations to the said Martin Mead by virtue of the said marriage contract, and is hereby declared to all intents and purposes, sole, single and unmarried.
"Resolved that the said Polly ... have the sole charge, care and custody of her only child, and that the said Martin ... shall have no power or authority over him, in any way or manner whatsoever."—Resolves and Private Acts (1837), 3.
[1042] Act of June 19, 1849: Pub. Acts of the State of Conn. (Hartford, 1849), 17.