Note 1018 — Chapter XV · DIVORCE IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES
Reading edition
Conn. Col. Rec. (Oct. 18, 1677), II, 328: "It is ordered, by this court that noe bill of divorce shall be granted to any man or woman lawfully married but in case of adultery, fradulent contract, or willful desertion for three years with totall neglect of duty, or seven years' providentiall absence being not heard of after due enquiry made and certifyed, such party shall be counted as legally dead to the other party; in all which cases a bill of divorce may be granted by the Court of Assistants to the aggrieved party who may then lawfully marry or be marryed to any other."