New York Supreme Court May 15, 1815 (Lockwood v. Thomas)

Yates, J.,

delivered the opinion of the court. The husband is bound, by law, to provide necessaries for his wife, as much as for himself; and if she contracts debts for them, he is obliged to pay such debts ; but for any thing beside necessaries he is not "chargeable: and whát are necessaries must be ascertained by a jury, from the rank and- circumstances of her husband. (1. Black. Com. 442.