Viewing page 194 of 255

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

and early in the morning one Betty a freedwoman came in the office and wanted to know of me if one colored man by the name of Simon Culver had applied to me for marriage license to marry one Jane Teague that she had just heard that such was expended. I stated to her that such was the case that the said Simon Culver applied to me the day before for marriage license for himself and Jane Teague and I issued them. The said Betty then told me she was the wife of the said Simon Culver that they had been living together for nine years and that she was the mother of four children that were his that all his clothes and other things were then at her house, I remember I regretted it much and that I had not come in possession of this information sooner, Betty left the office weeping, shortly after which she heard of their marriage & she applied to a Justice for a warrant for the said Simon Culver. She was tried at the Spring term of the Circuit Court held for said county 1866 before his Honor J. McCaleb Wiley and under the Statute was charged with, and convicted of Bigamy and was sentenced to the penitentiary for three years, Simon had able council, He was represented bu Majors Gates & Bill. after which tried much