Summary
explaining that a husband is not responsible for his wife's necessaries where " a wife leaves the ‘ bed and board’ of the husband without good cause "
Summary of this case from Moses H. Cone Mem. Hosp. Oper. Corp. v. HawleyOpinion
(June Term, 1858.)
If a husband and wife live apart, and one having notice that the husband does not hold himself liable for debts of the wife's contracting, trusts her for necessaries, he cannot recover for them against the husband, without showing that the wife had good cause for the separation.
THIS was an action of ASSUMPSIT, brought before a justice of the peace, and by appeal taken to the Superior Court of Pasquotank, where it was tried before DICK, J., at last Fall Term.
No counsel appeared for the plaintiff in this Court.
Heath, for the defendant.
The plaintiff was a physician and declared for professional services rendered to the wife of the defendant while she was living apart from him; he living in the country on his farm, and she in Elizabeth City. The defendant had given public notice, by advertisement in the town and vicinity, that he would not be liable for the debts of his wife, and the plaintiff was aware of such notice having been given at the time the service was rendered. Mrs. Everton had filed a petition for a divorce, in the Superior Court of Pasquotank, and on its return had moved for an allowance, pendente lite, which, on an appeal to the Supreme Court, (ante 202,) was refused her, on account of the insufficiency of the allegations. This application was pending at the time this suit was brought.
The foregoing facts were stated as a case agreed between the parties, and submitted for the judgment of the Court. It was agreed that if the plaintiff was entitled to recover at all, the judgment should be for $15.
His Honor, upon consideration of the case, was of opinion that the plaintiff was entitled to recover; from which the defendant appealed.
According to the common law, the legal existence of the wife is merged in that of the husband, so that she is incapable of making a contract, whereby to bind either herself or her husband. She may, however, as his agent, make a contract that will be valid as to him, and an agency may be constituted either by express authority or by implication, in respect to such matters as are usually confided to the wife.
But this implication of agency can only be made while the parties continue to live together. If they separate, and live apart, the idea of an implied agency is out of the question. The effect of the notice (such as was given in this case) is merely to inform the public of the fact of the separation which operates as a revocation of any implied agency that existed while they lived together.
If a wife leaves the "bed and board" of the husband without good cause, so far from his being liable for any contract she may make, even in respect to the food, clothing, or shelter necessary for her existence, he is entitled to an action and may recover damages against any person who administers to her wants and supplies her with necessaries; Barbee v. Armstead, 10 Ire. Rep. 530.
This rule of the common law, which may seem harsh, is based upon the ground that it is wrong to harbor the wife by doing any act which will make it more easy for her to continue in the violation of her conjugal duties.
If a wife has good cause for separating and refusing to live with her husband, he is bound to pay for necessaries furnished to her which are suitable to their condition and habits in life. To create this liability, the law implies a request on his part, and the implication is made ex necessitate, to prevent the wife from starving: on the same principle that the contract of a lunatic, under certain circumstances, is supported. Richardson v. Strong, 13 Ire. Rep. 106. Although in the case of the husband, this implication may be against the truth, yet, it is sustained by the maxim that "no one shall take advantage of his own wrong;" Hindly v. Westmeath, 13 E. C. L. Rep. 141; 14 ibid. 188, 11 John. Rep. 281. To make the principles applicable, the husband must be put in the wrong. It follows that any one who furnishes the wife with necessaries while she is living apart from her husband, takes the responsibility. If he is able to prove that the wife had good cause for the separation, he will recover the value of the articles furnished, or of the labor done. If not able to make such proof, he is exposed to the action of the husband. Few persons are willing to take this responsibility, and in order to provide for the wife, until the question, whether she had good cause for the separation, can be decided, our statutes allow alimony pending the suit for a divorce, upon her own allegations, provided they are sufficient, if true, and she makes affidavit to the truth thereof in the mode required.
In our case there was no evidence tending to show that the wife had good cause for separation, but his Honor was of opinion with the plaintiff. There is error, as the facts were agreed on. The case should have been put in such a shape as to make the decision of the point of law end the litigation. In the manner presented we can only direct a venire de novo.
PER CURIAM, Judgment reversed.