With the Homestead and Bogus properties into a trust and Halcyon's name removed from the Sherwood Farm deed, Halcyon no longer owned any real estate. This arrangement theoretically provided Emily with a degree of financial security and a safeguard against Halcyon's spendthrift tendencies.

An alternative interpretation is that Halcyon wished to shield `his' property from his creditors. In June 1865, the Connecticut legislature passed an ``An Act in addition to `An Act concerning the Domestic Relations.' ''. This act stated that 

``The interest of a married man in the real estate of his wife, which has been, or may hereafter be, acquired by her, subsequently to their marriage, either by gift or purchase, shall not be taken by attachment or execution against him during the life of the wife, or the life of any child the issue of such marriage.''

This meant that Emily's property could not be taken to repay Halcyon's debts. Regardless of the reasons, these legal maneuvers did not resolve the underlying challenges in their marriage.

In October 1867, Halcyon borrowed $350 from Jordan L. Bailey. Jordan was Halcyon's younger brother and one of the men who had requested the court place a conservator over Halcyon.

Sources

• Connecticut. “Public acts passed by the General Assembly. 1863-1865.” en. p. 245. url: https://cslib.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p128501coll3/id/78247 (visited on 07/24/2023).