Affidavit of Isabella Youngs
Document file accompanying S. 166. An act for the relief of Isabella C. Youngs, wife of Theophilus Youngs. 41st Congress (Approved April 1, 1869). National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D. C.
The affiant Isabella C. Youngs makes oath in due form of law & says that on or about the year 1856, she was, in the District of Columbia, married to J. M. Miller, the patentee of Millers Surface Condenser and that for 10 years or thereabouts she remained his wife.::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::She further says that on or about the year 1866, she obtained, from the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, a decree of divorce from her said husband Miller, with the custody of their two children and as alimony, the patent right of the said Millers Condensing invention, that Virginia H. and Florence C. Miller, children under 11 years of age, were given to the affiant by the said decree of the said court, for education & support.
She further says that prior to & during her marriage with the said Miller, he the said Miller not only spent fifty thousand dollars in money upon his Surface Condenser in experimenting upon the same in different parts of the United States, but lost his own time & labor besides, thus he impoverished himself and family to such an extent, that at the time of divorce, he had no means to furnish his family with the ordinary necessaries for life and that were it not for the kindness of friends, the affiant and her children must starve.
The affiant further says that she verily believes that the said Miller’s Condenser, the patent right of which was decreed to her by the said Court of the said District is of great practical use and benefit, that the advantages claimed for it by the said Miller, was that it would economize fuel one half, prevent the explosion of steam boilers and prolong the use of steam boilers for many years without repairs of any kind in all cases, when it was attached to steam boilers, and that the experiments which he had made demonstrated these results to his entire satisfaction.
She further says, that prior and during the time she was married to the said Miller, neither he nor she realized any benefit whatever from the said patent Steam Condenser nor has she herself received any benefit from the same since she procured divorce from Miller should the right of extention be granted to your affiant for 14 years, she feels perfectly satisfied she could make the said invention of sufficient value to her to support herself and family and educate her children and thereby remunerate her for those expenditures laid out heretofore to bring the said invention into practical use and benefit.
Isobell. C. Youngs.
Sworn to,
before
James Laurenson, J.P.
2 February [Seal]
1869.
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