Marriage Laws in 1850
By Clarina Howard Nichols
(From speech at Woman’s Suffrage Convention in 1852. Quoted from “Life of Susan B. Anthony.”)
If a wife is compelled to get a divorce on account of the infidelity of the husband, she forfeits all right to the property which they have earned together, while the husband, who is the offender still remains the sole possession and control of the estate. She, the innocent party, goes out childless and portionless by decree of law, and he, the criminal, retains the home and children by favor of the same law. A drunkard takes his wife’s clothing to pay his rum bills, and the court declares that the action is legal because the wife belongs to the husband.