Mary Souls

WHEREAS Mary, my lawful Wife, has behaved in a very indecent Manner, refusing a virtuous Compliance with the Apostle's Injunctions to Wives; but on the contrary has made sundry Attempts to take away my Life, by stabbing me with Knives and Forks, beating me with the Distaff, Tongs, and Hammer; scratching and biting me very inhumanly; and has now eloped from my Bed and Board, and refuses to cohabit with me; I therefore forbid all Persons harbouring or trusting her on my Account, for I will not pay any Debt of her contracting, after this Date. And as she has privately conveyed away a Number of valuable Articles of my Household Furniture, I also forbid any Person whatsoever concealing any such Articles on Penalty of the Law. JONATHAN SOULS. Pomfret, April 25, 1778.