Case Name: Jacob Stott vs. Benjamin Ryan and Milly his wife
Court: Constitutional Court of South Carolina
Jurisdiction: South Carolina
Decision Date: 1814-11
Citations: 2 Tread 500
Docket Number: 
Parties: Jacob Stott vs. Benjamin Ryan and Milly his wife.
Judges: . Justices Bay, Grimke, and Brevard concurred».
Reporter: South Carolina Law Reports
Volume: 7
Pages: 500–500

Head Matter:
Columbia*
November Term, 1814.
Jacob Stott vs. Benjamin Ryan and Milly his wife.
Stark* for the Motion.
Martin, Contra.
The brief in this case states that ii this was an action by the plaintiff* a young man* hale, hearty, and in the bloom of life* for an alleged assault by Milly JRyan, an old body of upwards of fifty years.” The jury have given a verdict for 8275; and a motion is now made for a new trial on the ground that these damages were excessive.

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 had 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,
. Justices Bay, Grimke, and Brevard concurred».