Daughter of a wealthy merchant and known for her ostentatious ways, Elizabeth Derby brought a hefty inheritance to her ill-advised marriage. Upon discovering her husband's philandering , she desired to be free of him. In 1806, however, divorce laws held that any inheritance brought to a marriage by a woman automatically became her husband's and remained his, even if she were to leave him. The only loophole was in the case of infidelity.
So Elizabeth set out to prove infidelity. She visited the brothels where her husband had his dalliances and asked the women he visited to join her in helping to prove her case. They agreed, travelled to Salem, and paraded up and down in front of the judge's house (by some accounts through the courtroom) making a spectacle of her husband's extra-marital affairs. While this may not have been one of history's first public demonstrations, it must certainly have been one of its more colorful.
Elizabeth was eventually granted her divorce and managed to keep most of her inheritance. Her parade of sex workers may or may not have been helpful. Divorce laws were changed in 1809, which may have been the true reason for her success. Because of what many considered to be an outrageous stunt, Elizabeth Derby West was shunned from Salem's genteel circles.
She relocated to a lavish estate on the property that is now the Northshore Mall. A replica of her sitting room can be found in Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, and is said to be an example of a well-appointed parlour in a wealthy home.
There are themes in this story of refusal to accept societal norms, of the names women get called for forging their own paths, and of the consequences of refusing to meekly accept one's perceived place.
That she was described as, "ostentatious in her dress" adds intrigue and delight. I like to think that the love of outrageous clothing stemmed from the same fiery spirit that refused to give up what was rightfully hers.
So Elizabeth set out to prove infidelity. She visited the brothels where her husband had his dalliances and asked the women he visited to join her in helping to prove her case. They agreed, travelled to Salem, and paraded up and down in front of the judge's house (by some accounts through the courtroom) making a spectacle of her husband's extra-marital affairs. While this may not have been one of history's first public demonstrations, it must certainly have been one of its more colorful.
Elizabeth was eventually granted her divorce and managed to keep most of her inheritance. Her parade of sex workers may or may not have been helpful. Divorce laws were changed in 1809, which may have been the true reason for her success. Because of what many considered to be an outrageous stunt, Elizabeth Derby West was shunned from Salem's genteel circles.
She relocated to a lavish estate on the property that is now the Northshore Mall. A replica of her sitting room can be found in Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, and is said to be an example of a well-appointed parlour in a wealthy home.
There are themes in this story of refusal to accept societal norms, of the names women get called for forging their own paths, and of the consequences of refusing to meekly accept one's perceived place.
That she was described as, "ostentatious in her dress" adds intrigue and delight. I like to think that the love of outrageous clothing stemmed from the same fiery spirit that refused to give up what was rightfully hers.