Hall v. Edrington's Executors
Hall v. Edrington's Executors
Opinion of the Court
Delivered the Opinion of the Court.
Seth Cook, being entitled, as husband, to claim an undivided interest in the remainder in some slaves which had been allotted as dower to his wife’s mother, for life, and also his wife’s distributable interest in her deceased father’s personal estate, made a transfer thereof, in, the year 1829, to Henry L. Edrington, by a writing signed and sealed, and importing a sale for the. price of three hundred dollars.
Afterwards, in 1831, Cook's undivided interest in one of those slaves named Levi, was sold under an execution
After this sale, a bill in, chancery was filed, in the Franklin Circuit Court, at Hall’s instancy, as Cook’s agent, in the name of Cook and wife, for a partition of the dower slaves, the widow being then dead, and for a distribution of the residual estate in the, hands of the personal representatives of Mrs. Cook’s deceased father. The bill alleged that Mrs. Cook and two sisters were entitled to the entire estate to be divided and distributed, and that Cook, having purchased the interest of one of those sisters, was thereby and in virtue of his marital rights, entitled to two thirds, which were accordingly decreed and allotted to him. Levi and other slaves, and some promissory notes having been thus allotted to Cook, Hall received the entire allotment from the personal representative, and gave him a receipt therefor, as agent of Cook.
Cook afterwards directed Hall to deliver Levi to H. L. Edrington, but he failed to do so and thereupon, Edrington sued him therefor, in detinue. Edrington having died, pendente lite, the action was, by consent, revived in the names of his personal representatives, though he had devised to his surviving wife, all his slaves, during her life.
Judgment having been rendered against Hall for the slave Levi, and for four hundred and fifty dollars damages for the detention of him, this Writ of error brings up that judgment for revision. J.
As all objection to the revival of the suit in the names of the personal representatives, instead of reviving, as would have been proper, in the name of the devisee, seems to have been waived, and as we perceive no essential error in any opinion given by the Circuit Judge, during the trial-only question we now is
It is admitted in the record, that there was evidence conducing to prove that the transfer from Cook to Edrington, was merely colorable, and intended to defraud the creditors of the former.
And assuming, on this ground, that Cook’s interest in Levi was vendible under the execution of his bona fide judgment creditor, Hall’s counsel insists that there was no sufficient proof of the assumed fact, that Hall purchased as Cook’s agent, and argues, also, that even if he did so purchase, he has a right to retain the possession of Levi, until the price given at the sale shall have been refunded.
It is true that, though Hall was Cook’s general agent, and intended the purchase of Levi for Cook’s benefit — yet, as there was no proof that Cook had authorized that purchase, or was bound to recognize it, and refund the price paid by Hall, the purchase may not, ipso facto, have vested any legal interest in Cook, and through him, in his vendee, Edrington; and Hall, if he acquired any legal interest under the execution, might not, therefore, be under any legal obligation to surrender it to Cook or to Edrington’s devisee, even upon a tender of the price paid to the sheriff.
But Hall did not obtain the possession of Levi in his character of purchaser; he received him for the first time, as Cook’s agent, under the decree whereby, at Hall’s own instance, as agent, this slave was allotted to Cook, And, at the same time, he received, in money or its equivalent, an amount far exceeding the sum he had paid under the execution, From these latter facts, combined with those first suggested, the jury had a right to infer, that Hall should be estopped from asserting any personal claim to Levi, or even any lien on him for the fifty one dollars which had been more than reimbursed by the sum received by him as Cook’s agent; for in receiving Levi as Cook’s agent, under the decree, and also a reimbursement of the fifty one dollars, he virtually acknowledged that the slave was not his own to any extent, or for any purpose.
We are, therefore, of the opinion, that, all objection to the parties being waived, the law and the facts sustain the verdict and judgment in this case.
It is intimated in the record, that Hall has paid money as surety for Cook, and therefore claims the right to retain Levi for his indemnity. But if this he true, and he he entitled to any available lien on Levi, his only remedy is in a court of equity.
Judgment affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.