Seduction Suit Against Hamilton Town Founder
A Washington court awards $3,000 to a woman after the founder of the town of Hamilton reportedly broke a marriage promise following a seduction.
Mount Vernon, March 21.—Emily Rhodes, the fifth wife of William Hamilton, the founder of the town of Hamilton, was today awarded $3,000 damages in the superior court on a suit for seduction. Nearly three years ago Emily Rhodes started to keep house for Hamilton, and three weeks later, according to her testimony, he seduced her under promise of marriage. There was no defense. Hamilton is supposed to be in Kentucky at the present time.
“Three weeks later, according to her testimony, he seduced her under promise of marriage.”
This case highlights the 'breach of promise' lawsuits prevalent in the late 19th century, which functioned as a rare legal remedy for women abandoned after sexual relations. Today, while such specific torts have largely disappeared, the power imbalance inherent in the employer-employee/landlord-tenant dynamic persists in modern Washington labor and housing disputes.
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