Case Name: John Craig vs. Hayward Todd
Court: Constitutional Court of South Carolina
Jurisdiction: South Carolina
Decision Date: 1815-11
Citations: 2 Tread 757
Docket Number: 
Parties: John Craig vs. Hayward Todd.
Judges: Justices í^ott and Grimke concurred.
Reporter: South Carolina Law Reports
Volume: 7
Pages: 757–757

Head Matter:
Columbia,
November Term, 1815.
John Craig vs. Hayward Todd.
Handford and Blanding, for the Motion.
Levi, Contra.
Parol evi-notbeCad-mitted to prove that damages fctl0n trover, fop any things "ed’ln the ^ onaia’-'
Trover for a negro child. Verdict for defendant. Motion for a new trial.

Opinion:
Smith, J.
The plaintiff had, in a former action of trover, recovered the negro woman, who was the ' ° . mother of the child, the subject of the present action. This child was born after the action for the mother was commenced ; therefore, could not be embraced in the first action ; and the only ground upon which the defendant seemed to contend against the new trial, was, that on the trial for the mother, the plaintiff had given evidence to the jury of this child, and that the jury had in their verdict given damages for its value.
This would be a dangerous rule, and ought never to he indulged. The recovery of damages for the child could only be ascertained by parol evidence. This would not only give uncertainty to legal proceedings, but would open a door to abundant frauds and perjuries. I am, therefore, for a new trial.
Justices í^ott and Grimke concurred.