Case Name: Jacob Stott v. Benjamin Ryan, and Milly, his wife
Court: Constitutional Court of South Carolina
Jurisdiction: South Carolina
Decision Date: 1814-11
Citations: 3 Brev. 417
Docket Number: 
Parties: Jacob Stott v. Benjamin Ryan, and Milly, his wife.
Judges: Bay, Grimke, and Brevard, Js., concurred.
Reporter: South Carolina Law Reports
Volume: 5
Pages: 417–417

Head Matter:
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT, COLUMBIA,
NOV., 1814.
Jacob Stott v. Benjamin Ryan, and Milly, his wife.
The court will not grant a new trial on the ground of excessive damages, although it did not appear that any great injury was done to the plaintiff. The actual injury sustained is not always the rule by which the . verdict of a jury is to be measured.
• The brief in this case states that “ this, was an action by the plaintiff, a young man, hale, hearty, and in the bloom of life, for an alleged assault by Milly Ryan, an old lady of upwards of fifty years.” The jury have given a verdict for $275 ; and a motion is now-made for a new trial, on the ground that these damages Were excessive.
Starke, for the motion. Martin, contra.

Opinion:
Nott, J.
It does not appear that any great injury was done to the plaintiff: but the actual injury sustained, is not always the rule by which the verdict of a jury is to be measured. High damages are sometimes properly given by way of example. If the plaintiff in this case has returned the blow which he received, every mouth would have been open against him. He had no alternative but to have submitted to the outrage, or seek redress in the way he has adopted. It is the only method by which the unruly passions of a vixen, who will not be restrained by a sense of shame or propriety, can be controlled. I am disposed to believe, the jury have taken a correct view of the case, and that the verdict ought to be supported.
Bay, Grimke, and Brevard, Js., concurred.