Petition for Divorce. Handwritten Letter

No place or date, presumed Dover, New Hampshire, circa 1869. Blue, lined letter paper, measuring approximately 10 by 8 inches. Blindstamp reading "Learned," within an emblem of some sort at the top left of each page. Pages attached along the left edge (originating as single sheets, folded into pages). 8 pages, with 3 ¼ pages written on. "Libel for Divorce S.J. Hall vs D Hall" written on the reverse of one page. PLEASE NOTE: the truth to this letter and its contents has not, at this time, been verified. Research in local records and other sources has not turned up a record of a marriage between a Sarah J. Christie and Daniel Hall. A Daniel Hall did live in Dover, New Hampshire during this period. He was a lawyer and served as an aide to President Lincoln. He may have spent time learning law in Dover under Daniel M. Christie, who did have a daughter named Sarah J. Christie. Records do indicate a later marriage for her. It is possible that this is perhaps some sort of spoof or satire letter, written for entertainment or other reasons unknown. Names of other residents of the area are included in the letter. A handwritten petition, submitted to the Court of Chancery in Dover, New Hampshire, apparently written and signed by Sarah J. Hall (maiden name Christie), seeking a divorce from her husband Daniel Hall. The letter gives the date of marriage, the location of the marriage ceremony and the justice of the peace who presided, and asserts the author "has faithfully performed her duties devolving upon her as a faithful affectionate and loving woman." Ms. Hall then proceeds to state that Daniel has "wantonly cruelly and without any provocation whatever wholly abandoned and deserted her the said Sarah and left her destitute." Continuing, the letter asserts that "Daniel wholly regardless of his duty as a husband [.] has at divers varied and sundry times and in immeasurable places and in promiscuous assemblies frequented the company of and consorted with divers strange and fascinating women." He is accused of writing letters filled with "protestations of love and undying attachment," and had passed himself off as being single. A particular incident is noted (perhaps 1869 or 1859, date somewhat illegible) at the house of a "notorious and public" character in Dover, in which Daniel "lay his head in the lap of a certain abandoned (?) woman." It seems Daniel also possessed a head of curly hair to the delight of his wife, but that he cut off locks of said hair to give to various "beautiful and fascinating women." Secret small town scandal or satire? GOOD condition. Horizontal fold creases present. Some splitting to the paper along the hinge. Some toning, fading, very minor spotting and soiling to the letter.…