Note 979 — Chapter XV · DIVORCE IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES

It is just possible that in the case of Mary Drury, Oct. 10, 1677, the decree is intended as a separation from bed and board. It is voted "whether the Court [probably the assistants] would declare it a nullity, past in the negative. Whether they would be compelled to Cohabit past in ye Negative."—MSS. Early Court Files of Suffolk, No. 1644. Four years earlier (ca. March 5, 1673) the following record appears: "In the case of Hugh Drury & Mary His Wife The Court after due hearing of the case & euidences therein produced Doe declare that they Doe enjoine them both to liue together according to the ordinance of God as man and wife."—Noble's Rec. of Court of Assistants, I, 91.