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5 Del. 369

Collins v. Mitchell

Superior Court of Delaware

Decided July 5, 1852

Superior Court of Delaware · decided 1852-07-05

This was an appeal from a justice of the peace, in an action of assumpsit, for a medical bill. Demand $44 10. The plaintiff proved his books. A part of the charges was for visits and medicines furnished to the defendant’s wife, when she was not at her husband’s house. The wife went to her brother’s, against her husband’s consent; and was taken sick there and died.

Decided 1852-07-05

The Court

¶1 charged as follows:—The husband is bound to provide necessaries for his wife whilst she lives with him.

¶2 If she elope with an adulterer, the husband is not liable.

¶3 If the husband turn her out, or by his conduct oblige her to leave, he continues liable.

¶4 If husband and wife separate by mutual consent, he remains liable for necessaries.

¶5 On the testimony, the question of separation is open for the jury to say whether it is proved; and under what circumstances.

¶6 It is also open for the jury to say whether the plaintiff was employed by the authority or consent of. the defendant; if so, he is liable, though there was a separation; and assent may be implied from the presence and knowledge of the husband, that the services were rendered, without objection.

¶7 The plaintiff had a verdict.

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