Custody Act of 1839

Before this act, during a divorce the custody of children tended to go directly to the father, as children were in a way considered property of the man of the house. This act, however, allowed a mother to petition the court for custody of her children up to about age seven.

(https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/11595789#:~:text=If%20previously%....)

Associated Place(s)

Event date:

1839