Pin Money

Money allowed by a man to his wife to spend for her own personal comforts. 9 Beav. 65; 2 Clark & F. 654. It has been conjectured that the term "pin money" has been applied to signify the provision for a married woman, because anciently there was a tax laid for providing the English queen with pins. Barr. Obs. St. 181.

Money allowed by a man to his wife to spend for her own personal comforts. It has been conjectured that the term pinmoney has been applied to signify the provision for a married woman because anciently there was a tax laid for providing the English queen with pins; Barrington, Stat. 181. When pin-money is given to but not spent by the wife, on the husband’s death it belongs to his estate; 4 Viner, Abr. 133, Baron d Feme (E a. 8); 2 Eq. Cas. Abr. 156; 2 P. Will. 341; 1 Yes. 190, 267; 1 Madd. 489. In England it was adjudged that a promise to a wife, by the purchaser, that if she would not hinder the bargain for the sale of the husband’s lands he would give her ten pounds, was valid, and might be enforced by an action of assumpsit instituted by husband and wife; Rolle, Abr. 21. In the French law, the term 6pinglcs, pins, is used to designate the present which is sometimes given by the purchaser of an immovable to the wife or daughters of the seller to induce them to consent to the sale. This present is not considered as a part of the consideration, but a purely voluntary gift. Diet, de Jur. Epingles.

Money allowed to, or settled on, a wife, for the purpose of supplying her with dress and the means of defraying her other personal expenses.

Money allowed by a man to his wife for her personal expenses. Anciently, a tax was laid for providing the queen ■with pins.* Not a gift out and out, but a sum set apart for a specific purpose. The husband may find the wife in apparel instead of paying this apparel-money, as it may be called.'

An allowance made by a liusband to his wife for her apparel and personal expenses, which remains his property until expended.

A cui Tent term for a pecuniary allowance from a husband to his wife, for her personal expenses, for dress, incidental expenditures, and pocket-money. In England, where settlements of pecuniary affairs between husband and wife are made in more detail, and come oftener before the courts for adjudication than in this country, this term has been drawn in question, in some of the decisions. The allowance is said not to be a gift from the husband to the wife, out and out; it is not to be considered like money set apart for the sole and separate use of the wife, during coverture, excluding the jus mariti, but is a sum set apart for a specific purpose. It is due to the wife, in virtue of a particular arrangement, and is payable by the husband by force of that arrangement only, and for that specific purpose, and no other; also, the husband may find his wife in apparel, instead of paying her this apparel-money, as it may be called. Howard v. Digby, 8 Bligh, n. s. 269.