Note 1011 — Chapter XV · DIVORCE IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES

There are two other references to divorce matters in the Records. In 1670, on his wife's confession of legal cause, Samuel Hallowey petitioned for a divorce; but the court, "being not very clear," postponed the case three months to see if the wife would persist in her confession or the parties become reconciled. In June the case was referred to two men for examination; but it is not again mentioned: ibid., V, 32, 41, 42. Cf. Goodwin, op. cit., 597. Again, curiously enough, we find here the certified copy of a decree of divorce granted in the Massachusetts jurisdiction to James Skiffe, "late inhabitant of Sandwich, but now att the Viniyard," by a "Generall Court" held on that island. Skiffe's wife had run away to Roanoke with another man: Ply. Col. Rec., V, 33.