William McGowen vs Nicholas Villemere

Description:	Court Transcript by Robert Buntin of the suit of William McGowen against Nicholas Villemere for Trespass and Damages of one thousand dollars. The case involves adultery. May 19, 1801, William McGowen sued for a writ of Capias ad respondenum against Nicholas Villemere to answer to a plea of Trespass vi et armis to damages of one thousand dollars. The writ was witnessed by James Johnson and endorsed Executed by Wm. Prince, Sheriff. August Term 1801, Louis Denoyon (Denion) entered Special bail for the Defendant. The Plaintiff, William McGowen, by his attorney, filled the following of Nicholas Villemere in custody, of a Plea for that whereas the said William and Sarah his wife, had for the space of several years lived together in good harmony as man and wife and never had the least reason during all that time to suspect either the other of inconstancy and where as the said William in order to support his said wife and family had frequently occasions to go from home, never the less the said Nicholas well knowing the said Sarah to be the wife of the said William, and taking advantage of his absence from home ...with force and arms by his wicked and diabolical insinuations, large promises and presents made by him to the said Sarah did solicit take away and destroy the chastity of the said Sarah and tempted her to commit with him the said Nicholas, the abominable and atrocious crime of adultery and by that means hath diverted the affections of the said Sarah from the said William and entirely destroyed the conjugal love which subsisted between them... Complaint asks for one thousand dollars in damages. General Washington Johnson, PQ. The Plaintiff asks that the Defendant answer to the count at the Rule Day in the Prothonotarys Office October 2, 1801. The Cause was continued to the November Term. November Term 1801, William McGowen by General Washington Johnston his attorney appeared, by although called on the same day, Nicholas Villimere did not appear, nor did he file his plea in answer to the writ. The said, William McGowen ought recover his damages by reason of the premises. The Court ordered a writ of Inquiry for the next Term. February Term 1802, William McGowen appeared by his attorney, General Washington Johnson. The sheriff returned the writ with names of Jurors: Christopher Wyant, William Willson, Jeremiah Mays, William Mays, Robert Gilmore, Etheldred Bass, Thomas Holder, Edmond Rittenhouse, Joseph Andre, Lorient Bazadone, Leonard Bowman and Albertus Prince. It is considered that the said William McGowen do recover of the said Nicholas Villemere his damages aforesaid (fifty dollars) by the Jury aforesaid in form of aforesaid assessed together with his cost and charges by him about his suit in that behalf expended and the said Nicholas in mercy.
Origin:	2016-09-27
Created By:	Indiana Territory. Court of Common Pleas (Knox County);
Source:	http://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/ving/id/18296
Collection:	Early Vincennes, 1732-1835
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Copyright:	No Copyright - United States
Subjects:	Indiana Territory Affidavits -- Indiana Territory Bonds -- Indiana Territory Complaints (Administrative procedure) -- Indiana Territory Court records -- Indiana Territory -- Knox County Damages -- Indiana Territory Johnston, Genl W. (General Washington), 1776-1833 Judgments -- Indiana Territory Jurors -- Indiana Territory Jury -- Indiana Territory Lawyers -- Indiana Territory Marriage -- Indiana Territory Summons -- Indiana Territory Trespass -- Indiana Territory Verdicts -- Indiana Territory Women -- Indiana Territory Writing desks -- Indiana Territory Writs -- Indiana Territory Court Records

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