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First lesbian, same sex marriage...
First lesbian, same sex marriage...
Item # 694610
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June 02, 1878
THE DAILY MEMPHIS AVALANCHE, Tennessee, June 2, 1878
* First lesbian - same sex marriage
Near the bottom of page 2 is an article headed: "The Woman That Married A Woman". This is a report concerning Sarah Maud Pollard and Marancy Hughes, considered by the writer of an article from 2011 (see) to be the first lesbian, same sex marriage.
The article notes in part that Pollard left her home in Massachusetts & went to Colorado in the 1870's. She caused a stir because of her masculine appearance. She then moved to Nevada & took up wearing male clothing to find work, calling herself "Sam". She meet Marancy Hughes and actively courted her. The couple eloped on September 28, 1877.
They were happily married for six months & then Marancy broke the secret, the matter ending up in court.
The article in this newspaper is datelined May 17, and is essentially a letter from Marancy Hughes in which she seems to plead deception in their "marriage", noting in part: "...I have stated...that the person known as Samuel M. Pollard is a woman. I am actuated by no feeling of revenge...but by a desire to see right before the public. I understand there are some people who disbelieve...my story...If my statement is true, let it appear that I am an unfortunate & wronged woman instead of a base and wicked one."
What follows this letter is an affidavit noting in part: "...being duly sworn...says that the person between whom and deponent a marriage ceremony was performed in Tuscarora on the 29th day of September, 1877, and who went by the name of Sam. M.Pollard, is a woman, and that her true name is Sarah Maud Pollard." both the letter & affidavit are signed in type: Marancy Hughes.
Four pages, large folio size, rejoined at the spine, evenly toned with some minor margin tears, generally good condition. Folder size noted is for the issue folded in half.
Category: Post-Civil War
No Longer Available
