Brockway Divorce Case Collection

Overview - What this is (form, dates, scope)

This collection comprises legal records from the 1758–1759 divorce case of Samuel Brockway and Margaret Smith in New Haven County, Connecticut. It includes depositions, court documents, marriage certificates, and procedural filings organized thematically to document the legal proceedings. The materials span August 1758 to February 1759 and offer insight into 18th-century colonial divorce law, gender roles, domestic violence, and racial dynamics.

Background - Relevant context about creation/provenance

The records were generated by the New Haven Superior Court and participants in the case, including Samuel Brockway, Margaret Smith, and witnesses. Samuel petitioned for divorce, alleging Margaret’s mental instability, self-harm, and infidelity, while contradictory testimonies challenged his claims. The collection is part of the Barbour Collection at the Connecticut State Library, preserved as historical legal documentation.

Contents - What's in it, key subjects and details

The collection is divided into four thematic groups:

• Depositions supporting Samuel Brockway: Testimonies detailing Margaret’s erratic behavior, self-harm, and alleged infidelity with an enslaved man named Lot.
• Depositions supporting Margaret Brockway: Accounts disputing Samuel’s claims, including evidence of his physical abuse.
• Court documents and procedural filings: Summons, clerk notations, and court appearance records.
• Marriage certificate: Documentation of the 1743–1744 marriage between Samuel and Margaret.

Additional materials include an ungrouped deposition with ambiguous content. Themes include domestic violence, interracial relationships, mental health evaluations, and colonial legal protocols.

Scope - Coverage (dates, geography, topics, what's included/excluded)

Dates: August 1758–February 1759. Geography: New Haven County, Connecticut, with references to Waterbury, Hartford, Brantford, and Farmington. Topics: Divorce law, marital misconduct, domestic violence, racial tensions, and 18th-century court procedures. Included: Depositions, court records, marriage documentation, and testimonies. Excluded: Personal correspondence, non-legal documents, or post-1759 developments. The collection focuses exclusively on judicial materials from the Superior Court process.

Accessible online via PINAX (link), the collection is in the public domain.