e.
women under the protection or coverture of a husband. It
held that chattels of a woman who married vested in her
husband, but he could not dispose of them by will. Her
jewelry, but not her apparel, could go to his creditors if
his assets didn't cover his debts. If she was a merchant
when she married, she could still sell her goods in the open
market. The husband also had the right to the rents and
profits from his wife's real estate, but not the real estate
itself, unless by the birth of a child he became tenant for
life by courtesy. Only the father, but not the mother had
authority over their children. A father had a right to his
child's services, and could sue a third party for abducting,
enticing away, or injuring the child, just as he could for
his servants. A husband was liable for the debts of his
wife, even if incurred before the marriage. He was
answerable for her torts and trespasses, except for battery.
For this reason, he was allowed to chastise her, restrain
her liberty for gross misbehavior, and punish her by beating
for some misdemeanors. But the courts would protect her from
death, serious bodily harm, or his failure to supply her the
necessities of life. Promises under oath were not recognized
for married women. A conveyance or agreement of a married
woman was void. These principles held only if she was under
the protection of her husband, i.e. a woman-covert, and not
if they lived separately, for instance if he went to sea.
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