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From: "Michael Ramage" <>
Subject: Re: [APG] legal definition
Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2004 08:51:13 -0500
References: <200403191600.i2JG04fH027517@lists2.rootsweb.com> <01a301c40e09$2e760ec0$0a02a8c0@agstme.adelphia.net>


Black's Law Dictionary does not have a definition for "Intol. severity." However, the following definition does appear:
"INTOLERABLE CRUELTY. In the law of divorce, this term denotes extreme cruelty, cruel and inhuman treatment, barbarous, savage, and inhuman conduct, and is equivalent to any of these phrases. Shaw v. Shaw, 17 Conn. 193; Morehouse v. Morehouse, 70 Conn. 420, 39 A. 516; Blain v. Blain, 45 Vt. 544." Henry Campbell Black, compiler, Black's Law Dictionary, Definitions of the Terms and Phrases of American and English Jurisprudence, Ancient and Modern, Revised Fourth Edition (St. Paul, Minnesota: West Publishing Co., 1968), 957.

The fact that one of the cited cases is from Vermont should make this a stronger precedent for your case. Research into the divorce laws in effect for 1918 Vermont would be necessary to be sure of this.

Very truly yours,
Michael S. Ramage, J.D., CGRS (sm)
Certified Genealogical Records Specialist (sm)
720 Argyle Road
Wynnewood, PA 19096
Phone: (484) 437-8827
Fax: (610) 642-5674
E-mail:
Web Pages: www.PaGenealogist.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Pam Eagleson
To:
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 6:23 PM
Subject: [APG] legal definition


I do not presently have a copy of Black's law dictionary. A 1918 VT
divorce certificate gives the cause of the divorce as Intol. severity. The
wife is the Libelant. If I were to interpret that from a regular
dictionary, might this be loosely explained as the spouse being an
unbearably harsh individual. If so any thoughts as to what kind of behavior
would have been exhibited to 'earn' this label.
Thanks,
Pam Eagleson



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