Newton County Court: Saturday: (Before W. M. Praed, Esq. Judge): Pinsent v. Elizabeth Coyshe: This was an action for the recovery of £4 for rent. The plaintiff, who resides at Bovey Tracey, stated that in 1849 he let a dwelling-house to the defendant for the use of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Shears. The first quarter’s rent was paid by Mr. and Mrs. Shears, but during the last few years the defendant had paid it. The defendant’s case was that she was not the tenant, but that her son-in-law and daughter were responsible for payment. Mr. Templer, who appeared for the defendant, asked the plaintiff (who is 80 years of age) if it was not in consequence of his familiarities towards Mrs. Shears that she refused to pay him her rent? The plaintiff: – “Oh! nonsense; she come where my family was, so that I could not take any liberties with her; they would have liked for me to have done such a thing” (laughter). Mr. Templer: “How many bastard children have you?” Mr. Francis, for the plaintiff, objected to the question but the plaintiff replied – “don’t know that I have any; not to knowledge” (laughter). The defendant, on being called, stated that the cause of her daughter’s refusal to pay any more rent was that the old man behaved improperly” towards her. The old gentleman, upon hearing this, laughed heartily; upon which the defendant emphatically remarked, “You needn’t laugh, Mr. Pinsent! there you be, and you can’t deny that you cost the parish £50 year in bastards” (much laughter). In cross-examination, Mr. Francis asked her she was not also afraid of the bad Mr. Pinsent? The defendant (warmly), “No; why should I? I bant young enough for ‘en” (laughter).” If he had tried it on with me, he would have had something else” (laughter). I should like to catch him in my house again; I wish I had only cracked his head when caught him there last; he’ll never come again” (much laughter). The defendant then stated that the daughter was married 1849, but not before she had a child nine months old, and that her husband was a great drunkard. Mrs. Shears was called as a witness. She appeared about twenty-two years of age and tendered her evidence with fluency. She admitted that she was the occupier of the house, and that she was liable for the debt. His Honour gave judgment for the defendant.
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Referenced
GRO0837 Teignmouth: Thomas Pinsent: 1776 – 1856