(Editor's Note: Sophia Eckert was born Sophia Rexroad, daughter of Zacharia, and at the time of her marriage to Philip Eckert she was the widow of Conrad Fleisher and was in mid life. The following is an abstract and not a complete copy of the document.)

PENDLETON COUNTY DEED BOOK 3 pg. 475, October 1802, indenture between Philip Eckert of Pendleton County and Sophia his wife of the first part and Jacob Hoover Sr. & Christian Ruleman of the second part. Whereas some unhappy differences have lately arisen between Philip Eckert and Sophia and they have mutually agreed to live separate and apart. To such separation Philip Eckert hath consented and agrees to allow the said Sophia his wife for her support and maintenance all the property belonging to the said Sophia at the time of her intermarriage with the said Eckert except such part of the estate as is expended or hath been expended since their intermarriage with each other, that the said Eckert is not to account for the same whatever and the said Eckert for the further support of the said Sophia hath proposed and agreed to give to the said Sophia (lists crops and live stock) and the said Sophia is to give up to the said Philip one bond given to her prior to their intermarriage also any property that was his her husband's prior to, their marriage, all said property before mentioned on the part of the said Philip Eckert he hath, this day transferred and delivered to the said Jacob Hoover Sr. and Christian Ruleman Jr. in trust for the sole use of her the said Sophia and which provisions are to be in full of all alimony and maintenances and in live (sic) of her whole right of dower as also the said Philip Eckert is to occupy, possess, and enjoy his own estate without molestation or interuptions from Sophia and is after complying with the foregoing clauses is to live and be as independant of her the said Sophia as if they had never been married and he is to let the said Sophia live free and uninterrupted by him or his heirs both in person and estate. It is hereby declared to be intent that in case the said Philip Eckert shall at any time be compelled by law to pay any debt which Sophia may contract whatsoever it shall be lawful far Philip Eckert to sue for and recover the amount he was lawfully required to pay. (Identical provision follows for Sophia. ) Lastly the said Philip Eckert promise and agree with the said Sophia his wife that is shall be lawful for the said Sophia at all times henceforth to live separate and apart from him and to reside with such friends and other persons and that the said Philip Eckert will not sue, molest, disturb, or trouble and such person for such living separate and apart and or any other person for receiving, harbouring, or entertaining her.

says that a similar indenture as that of the Eckert divorce was filed by Francis Evick and wife of Franklin, WV and that said document had affected the title of some of Evick's lands after his death. A search has not been made for the Evick divorce document.

Paulsel vs Paulsel, upon a petition for alimony, it is determined that the defendant Henry Paulsel do pay to Susannah Paulsel one hundred dollars per year, quarterly at twenty five dollars and that he do enter into a recognizence to that affect. From which decree the defendant prayed an appeal to the next high court of chancery holden at Staunton upon his entering into bond and security himself in the sum of one thousand dollars. (See next record)

To the honorable Speaker and members of the legislature of Virginia:

The petition of Peter Stone of Pendleton County respectfully sheweth: that about the year 1789 or 90 he intermarried with a certain Mary Smith then of the county of Fauquier with whom he lived in perfect harmony for the space of twenty three or twenty four years and raised a numerous family (twenty in number), fourteen of which are still living during which time your petitioner was perfectly satisfied with the said Mary. But unfortunately for your petitioner, about nine or ten years ago he had good reason to suspect the said Mary for incontinency, nevertheless unwilling to become the public panderer of his own shame, and not wishing that his neighbors should be partakers in his disgrace, and feeling a tender solicitude for the reputation of his children, he was induced still to live with her, notwithstanding he was too well assured that constantly for several years she kept up an illicit correspondence with a certain Henry Paulsel and others, but for the reasons above stated your petitioner never told his grief, but pined in thought for the space of seven or eight years. About three years ago the said Mary, after involving your petitioner in debt to a considerable amount, without any cause or provocation whatever, eloped, carrying with her two of his best horses and about three hundred dollars in cash, and now lives in the state of Indiana, in a state of open and shameless adultery with a person unknown to your petitioner, from which state she has been repeatedly solicited by your petitioner to return, but she still refuses. Your petitioner further begs leave to state that so far from abusing, or in any wise subjecting to the smallest privations the said Mary his wife, that he has at all times extended to her the utmost linity and undulence, and furnished her with good and comfortable living. Your petitoner therefor prays that your honorable body will take his case into their serious consideration, and pass a law divorcing him from the said Mary or grant to him such, other relief as in your wisdom shall seem proper, and your petitioner as in duty bound will pray &c... 13 Nov 1821

(Editor's Note: Depositions were filed with the above petition by George W. Amis and by Edward Stevens, he representing the firm of Mauzy and Stevens as to Mary Stone's debts to them and also depositions were filed by Frederick Crummett and Harmon Hiner, neighbors of the Stones to Peter Stone's good character and to the fact that they never had known of any disturbance between the Stones until the time of Mary's elopement.)