John Prinn vs Mary Allyn, 1740

John Prinn accused Mary Allyn (a widow) of assaulting Prinn's wife Mary. Allyn, he claimed "did violently Strike and beat, Cuff, kick, knock, Spurn, Scratch + pinch, and with much virulent and oprobious language evilly intreat, and in ye face, arms and Divers other parts of her body did her thereby grievously wound + bruise: and her fine Cambrick Cap then on her head + Sundry other parts of her good Clothing ye Defendent did then there pull, tare + Spoil, and with ye Same force and fury even ye very hair from off ye Plaintiffs sd Wife's head She ye Defendt in large quantitys did rend and tare; whereby and by reason whereof ye Plaintiffs said Wife long languished and for the space of ten Days then next following was rendered uncapable of taking care of and performing ye Domestick business of ye Plaintiffs house and family". Prinn sought damages of twenty pounds for recovery of his wife and in recompense for all the business she "left undone" due to her many injuries.