Eighteenth Century Divorce

[Siamese Girl]

I've got a copy of an Act of Parliament granting a divorce in 1757, unfortunately it doesn't tell you a lot except the divorce was granted because of the wife's adultery. Apparently the year before the husband had succesfully sued the other man named.
Any ideas to which court this may have taken place in? They lived in London. I guess as divorce was so rare then (only 4 divorces granted the whole year) there would have been an interest taken in it by the press, but 1756 is quite early for newspapers. Any ideas where I might find out anything more?

regards
Carole

[stanmapstone]

Divorce acts are held by the Parliamentary Archives
See http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=260&j=1

Stan

[Little Nell]

First of all, I would check out the catalogue of the National Archives to see if there are any further court records.

It may be that the press took an interest but the Times did not start publication until 1785.  The newspapers then were much less interested in that sort of thing.  There may have been pamphlets etc which would have interested in scandal like that.  But I'm not sure that polite society would have wanted to see it all in print!  They tended to brush such things under the carpet.  But it didn't stop them gossipping about it  

Nell

[stanmapstone]

From the Reformation until 1858 there were only 330 legal divorces in England and Wales, and 326 of these were from the year 1700, averaging just over two a year. The cost of the Private Act of Parliament was £120 if uncontested, and up to £800 if contested, but the damages awarded could run into many thousands of pounds.

Stan

[Siamese Girl]

Thank you. The "injured" party Thomas Nuthall was awarded £500 damages. It would be interesting to read the reporting of the court case - the actual Act of Parliament really just gives the bare account of the facts.

regards
Carole