Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 18 January 1901
An Unruly Husband at Denaby.
Thomas Freeman, miner, of Denaby, was summoned by his wife, Ruth for an aggravated assault alleged to have been committed on the 25th Dec. She also summoned him for persistent cruelty., and applied for a separation order.
Mr. W. Baddiley, solicitor, Doncaster, appeared foe the complainant.
The complainant, Ruth Freeman, said she was residing at Doncaester road, Denaby, with her daughter. The defendant, Thomas Freeman, was her husband. They were married on Easter Monday, in the year 1873. There were six children of marriage living, the youngest being 13 years of age. For the last few years her hatband had been in the habit of drinking. He had assaulted her on many occasions. When he did assault her she had had to go and leave the house out of his way. She had received complaints of his conduct with other women, and the defendant had given her names of certain women.
She remembered the 22nd Dec., Saturday night, when the defendant threatened her with a knife. She called upon her son to stop him. On the 25th Dec., Christmas Day, he went out about half-past , ten o’clock in the morning, and came home to his dinner about three o’clock, the worse for beer. and his language not very choice either.
After tea be went out to the Reresby Arms. She went to fetch him, but he would not come until closing time, ten o’clock. When he did go home he was worse for beer. Hs asked her what she had gone for him for. She said “To see what you were doing.” The defendant then struck her twice with his fist. Her daughter was also struck. The defendant got hold of witness and pushed her out, telling her that he would not have her any more. The defendant gate her another blow in the yard.
The witness went to his sister’s, and stayed with her a couple of days. Since then she had lived with her daughter, Mrs Blount. She afraid to live with him. The defendant had been to her daughter’s house since, and had threatened her.
Wm. Freeman mid the defendant was his father, and worked at South Kirkby Colliery. His wages were 7/6 per day. For the last few years his father had given way to drink. He remembered Saturday, the 22nd Dec., he was on the sofa asleep. He heard a row and on getting up he saw his father with a threatening to chop her head off. He had heard his father often threaten his mother.
Mrs Blount and Lucy Freeman also gave corroborative evidence.
The defendant, who appeared to be in a mild state of inebriation, said he had nothing to say.
A separation order was granted, the defendant to contribute 12/6 a week toward the maintenance of his wife and children.
The defendant said he should not pay anything.