In force, Mar.[March] 2, 1839.
AN ACT to amend the “Act concerning marriages.”
1Preamble.
Whereas, under the provisions of the law regulating the mode of celebrating the rites of matrimony,
and designating the persons who may celebrate these rites2, doubts are entertained as to the right of any minister of the gospel to celebrate
those rites, unless he have authority conferred upon him by some express action of
the society to which he belongs: Therefore3,
Ministers can solemnize marriages.
Proviso.
Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That all marriages heretofore solemnized by ministers of the gospel, and those
which may hereafter be so solemnized, shall be deemed and held to be lawful, and the issue of all such marriages shall
be deemed legitimate: Provided this act shall not operate upon any marriages or issue, when such marriage was, or
may be, consummated contrary to the laws of the land, for any other cause than that
mentioned and provided for in this act.
Approved, March 2, 1839.
1On February 19, 1839, William Thomas introduced SB 236 in the Senate. The Senate amended the bill by striking out the word “wherefore,” and inserting
in lieu thereof the word “therefore.” On February 23, the Senate passed the bill
as amended. On March 2, the House of Representatives passed the bill without amendment. That same day, the Council of Revision approved the bill, and the act became law.
Illinois House Journal. 1838. 11th G. A., 1st sess.,
493, 592; Illinois Senate Journal. 1838. 11th G. A., 1st sess., 351, 392, 471-72, 502, 510, 512.
Printed Document, 1 page(s), Laws of the State of Illinois, Passed by the Eleventh General Assembly (Vandalia, IL: William Walters, 1839), 277, GA Session: 11-1,