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The Rhode Island Republican
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
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In New York, 18-year-old sailor William Coleman sentenced to three years hard labor in state prison for bigamy after drunken first marriage to a woman of bad character and a jest second marriage at a wedding party; first wife prompted prosecution.
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NEW-YORK, MARCH 19.
Sessions.—On Saturday, William Coleman was sentenced to three years confinement in the State Prison, at hard labor, for marrying two wives. Coleman is a young man not more than eighteen years of age, and his case is a hard one. It appears that he followed the sea for a living, and on his return to port, he being in a drunken frolic, fell in with a girl of bad character, and while intoxicated, married her. Discovering his error and misfortune, he left her immediately and went to sea. After performing a voyage, he arrived in this city, and one of his messmates being about to marry, invited Coleman to act as groomsman. He accepted the offer, and it appears that a sister of the bridegroom was one of the party, and being jovial, it seems that Coleman and another of his messmates stood up and also got married—it being a marriage party, and without the formality of any courtship. He took his departure, but left his second wife, probably considering the ceremony as a mere joke, and making no claim to her. His first wife hearing of this joke, and being provoked at his abandonment, laid her complaint before the Grand Jury. He was indicted, convicted, and sent to the state prison. The case is really a hard one, and calls for executive clemency, though it may be well to punish Coleman a little for being intoxicated and keeping bad company.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
New York
Event Date
Saturday
Key Persons
Outcome
sentenced to three years confinement in the state prison, at hard labor
Event Details
William Coleman, an 18-year-old sailor, was sentenced for marrying two wives. He first married a girl of bad character while intoxicated, left her, and later participated in a mock marriage at a friend's wedding party, which led to his second marriage. His first wife complained to the Grand Jury, resulting in his indictment and conviction.