Sometimes you just run across a tidbit, and you know the whole story is probably lost somewhere in that distant past, but you also know that whatever the details are, it’s a sad story.

Like this:

At a Court of Probate holden at Danbury in and for the District of Danbury on the 2^nd day of December A.D. 1890.

Present J. Howard Taylor, Judge

Upon the hearing of the complaint of George W. Hamilton of the town of Danbury setting forth and showing that one Laura K. Hamilton of the town of Danbury in said District is insane and Indigent and praying that said Laura K. Hamilton may be taken to the Connecticut Hospital for the Insane at Middletown this Court after a full hearing of all the evidence adduced finds that the condition of said Laura K. Hamilton renders it not necessary to personally examine her: and this Court doth further find that the certificate of J. H. Benedict and S. Penfield Physicians and the report of Henry Bernd, a Selectman of the town of Danbury are true and that said Laura K. Hamilton is insane and indigent and a fit subject for treatment in an asylum. And it is therefore ordered that Laura K. Hamilton be taken by the said George R. Hamilton or some other fit person and conveyed to the Connecticut Hospital for the Insane at Middletown and that this order, with an attested copy of said Physicians certificate be delivered to the superintendent of said Hospital.

Attest J. Howard Taylor, Judge

(Danbury Probate Records, Volume 44, Page 151).