Jane Griffin, rendered "entirely deprived of the use of her leggs and feet" by illness, seeks "support & maintenance" from her husband, Reuben. She charges that the said Reuben repeatedly abused her during and after her illness. She laments that he once "got into a most violent passion with your Oratrix, threw a quantity of cold Greens on your Oratrix then threw a quantity of hot mush on your Oratrix, which burnt her hand considerably then got a bottle of whisky and poured whisky three or four times in each of her eyes." Jane further recounts that the said Reuben "took his daughter by the neck and with great force & violence threw her on the floor." She complains that he "would often while your Oratrix was in this helpless situation take from her the negroe Girl who usually waited on your Oratrix set her to work in the plantation" and that "he has repeatedly threatened to whip the said Girl if she came to the assistance of your Oratrix." Noting that she is "entirely unable to support herself by her own industry & labour," Jane prays that Reuben "may be compelled to settle upon your Oratrix an adequate maintenance and support for herself during life" and that she may be allowed the "society & company of her children."
Result: Settled.
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Repository: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina
