Case Name: McKeown et ux. ads. D. Johnson
Court: Constitutional Court of South Carolina
Jurisdiction: South Carolina
Decision Date: 1822-05
Citations: 1 McCord 578
Docket Number: 
Parties: McKeown et ux. ads. D. Johnson.
Judges: Justices Nott and Huger, concurred.
Reporter: South Carolina Law Reports
Volume: 12
Pages: 578–580

Head Matter:
McKeown et ux. ads. D. Johnson.
A wife cannot commit a trespass («o as to be made liable to an action) in the presence of, and in connexion with her husband. In such case, she is supposed to act under his authority, and he alone must be sued.
Where the trespass is committed by the wife alone, the husband must be joined in the action ; but the declaration must state that it was so committed by the wife.
An action on the ca -e, for jointly enticing1 and harbouring1 a slave, will not lie against husband and wife ; the declaration should state the en-iicing and harbouring to have been done by the wife solely.
J_ HIS was an action on the case against a husband and wife, for enticing away and harbouring a negro in the possession of the plaintiff.
The declaration alleged the enticing, harbouring, &c„ to be committed by husband and wife.
It was proved that the plaintiff had hired the negro in question, at Si70 per annum.
The only evidence legally before the court, was a confession of the husband to this effect, “ that his wife and children did harbour the negro, but that it was against his will,” and there were no other words or circumstances proved by the witness who testified to this admission.
The jury found a verdict for one hundred and seventy dollars.
The defendant now moved for a new trial, because the damages were excessive : And in arrest of judgment,
Because an action would not lie against husband and wife, for jointly enticing and harbouring a slave; but the declaration should have stated the enticing and harbouring to have been committed by the wife solely,

Opinion:
Mr. Justice Colcock
delivered the opinion of the court.
In this case, the motion in arrest of judgment must pre-valí. Trespass cannot be laid to have been committed joint1 ly by husband and wife. If in fact, it be so commit; "d, the husband alone must be tried; for the wife is not implicated when acting in the presence of, or by the command of her husband.
The only authority to be found against this doctrine is that to which the court has been referred in this case, viz. 1 Chity, 18; who certainly does say, that " for assaults and other wrongs, in which two persons may concur, the husband and wife may be sued jointly for the act of both, and the acquittal of the husband will not preclude the plaintiff from recovering. But on an examination of the authorities referred to, it will be found that they do not support the position. The case from Fentris, states that it was an action against husband and wife, but does not state that it was charged to have been committed by both. On the contrary, it furnishes what is to my mind conclusive evidence, that it was not so, i. e. first, that the husband was acquitted, and secondly, it is said that in the case, that the husband ought to have been joined only for conformity, which seems to shew that the act was committed by her alone. The other Herny vs. Guie, from Telverton, 106, which is a case of trespass by the wife, and all the eases, as far as I could procure the books, seem as wide of the position. The case in 2 Bacon, 503, from 2 Lev. 63, when explained by the note, shews clearly that the act was done by the wife.
I feel therefore bound by the long and well established doctrine, that a wife cannot commit a trespass, (so as to be made liable to an action,) in the presence of, or in connex-ion with her husband. In such case, she is supposed to act under his authority, and he alone must be sued. Where the trespass is committed by the wife alone, the husband must be joined in the action; but the declaration must state that it was so committed by the wife. See 1 Chitty 82. — Bacon, title Baron & Feme, Comyn, (same title,) and also the case of Chapman et ux. vs. Hardy & ux. decided in this court.
The action being against both for a trespass committed by both, and tbe verdict general, the judgment must be arrested.
Peareson, for the motion.
Clark Buchanan, contra.
The motion is granted.
Justices Nott and Huger, concurred.