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Bill and Ellen Thomas, Ages 88 and 81

TEXAS CONSTITUTION OF 1869

ARTICLE XII. 

GENERAL PROVISION.

SEC. 27. All persons who, at any time heretofore, lived together as husband and wife, and both of whom, by the law of bondage, were precluded from the rites of matrimony, and continued to live together until the death of one of the parties, shall be considered as having been legally married; and the issue of such cohabitation shall be deemed legitimate. And all 'such persons as may be now living together in such relation shall be considered as having been legally married; and the children, heretofore, or hereafter, born of such cohabitations shall be deemed legitimate

CHAPTER LXXVII. 

An Act for the relief of persons formerly in bondage. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, as follows:

 Section 1. That all persons, who at any time heretofore lived together as husband and wife, and both of whom, by the laws of bondage, were precluded from the rites of matrimony, and continued to live together until the death of one of the parties, shall be considered as having been legally married, and the issue of such cohabitation is declared legitimate; and all such persons as may be now living together in such relation, shall be considered as having been legally married, and the children heretofore or hereafter born of such cohabitations, are declared legitimate from and after the passage of this act. 

Sec. 2. That no person or persons mentioned in the foregoing section shall be indicted, prosecuted or punished for bigamy or adultery, for such cohabitation, before the passage of this act. 

Sec. 3. All laws and parts of laws, so far as they contravene the provisions of this act, are hereby repealed; and that this act take effect and be in force from and after its passage. 

Approved August 15, 1870.