OHIO WOMAN’S FRIENDS DEFEND HER MORAL CHARACTER
Single-page manuscript from an 1839 deposition filed on behalf of an Ohio woman swearing she was of “good moral character and chaste conduct”.
The reasons for the deposition are not made clear; however, it is likely Nancy Chambers (née Delong, 1809–69) stood accused of sexual relations with someone other than her husband just before their marriage. Signed by eight of her friends, the deposition states specifically they were aware of her conduct from July 1833 until May 1834. On May 14, 1834, she married Elias Chambers (1806-70), a brick mason. Their first son, Matthew, was born 10 months after their marriage.
The deposition was made August 5, 1839, before a justice of the peace at the home of the accused’s friend in Cross Creek Township, Ohio. At the time, the Chambers had three children. They later moved to Illinois, where two additional children were born.
Chastity until marriage was a strong societal expectation for women during the 19th century. The divorce laws of the time would have favored the plaintiff’s husband under adultery laws and fraudulent contract if he discovered she was not a virgin. Item #79065
Price: $150.00