Knight v. Wilcox
New York Supreme Court
This was an action for the seduction and debauching of the plaintiff’s daughter. The proof, upon the trial, was that the daughter was about sixteen years of age; that she was the youngest child of the family and the only one remaining at home with her parents, by whom she was supported; that she had been accustomed to help her mother about the house-keeping.
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This was an action for the seduction and debauching of the plaintiff’s daughter. The proof, upon the trial, was that the daughter was about sixteen years of age; that she was the youngest child of the family and the only one remaining at home with her parents, by whom she was supported; that she had been accustomed to help her mother about the house-keeping. That after the seduction she appeared to feel very bad, and kept in her room ; that she complained of being sick, and appeared to be so ; but the witness discovered no other illness than what might have resulted from her grief, and her…
1Opinion of the Court
By the Court, T. R. Strong, J.
It was, undoubtedly, necessary to the maintenance of this action, for the plaintiff to prove a loss of the services of his daughter in consequence of the seduction. The only legal foundation of the action is an injury to him in the relation of master and servant, by a loss of his servant’s servicés, For the injury to the daughter, for the disgrace brought upon her, for the dishonor and. mental suffering occasioned to himself and his family, and the deprivation of the comfort of the society of his child, uncorrupted and undefiled, no action is allowed by law. The…
2Cases cited4 opinions
- Ford v. MonroeNew York Supreme Court · 1838
- Hewit v. PrimeNew York Supreme Court · 1839
- Whitney v. HitchcockNew York Supreme Court · 1847
- Ingersoll v. JonesNew York Supreme Court · 1849
3Cited by3 opinions
- Knight v. WilcoxNew York Supreme Court · 1854
- Patterson v. ThompsonSupreme Court of Arkansas · 1862
- Gray v. DurlandNew York Supreme Court · 1867