Reeves v. Kershaw
Reeves v. Kershaw
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court. This is a case in which the plaintiff and appellee brought suit against the appellant, for a tract of land, described in the petition.
It appears from the statement of facts that both parties claim it, through one Patrick Johnson: the defendant by virtue of a constable’s sale, made in pusuance of an execution, issued, on a judgment, rendered by a justice of the peace against Johnson, at the suit of one Biggs; the plaintiff by a deed of sale, duly executed, whereby the land is conveyed to him by Johnson. The constable’s sale being anterior to the execution of the deed of Johnson to the plaintiff, the only question in the case relates to the validity or invalidity of that sale.
The legality of the judgment and of the execution which issued on it is not questioned, but a violation of law is said to have taken place, in the manner of selling the land, after it was seized by the constable.
We do not find any rule laid down to regulate the conduct of constables, in sales made by them of immoveable property taken in execution. By the 23d section of the act of the legislative council, 1805, ch 29, for dividing the territory of Orleans into counties and to establish courts of inferior jurisdiction therein, an execution, issued by a justice of the peace, could only authorise constables to seize goods and chattels, or the moveable property of the defendant, which the might legally sell after giving nine days notice.
In the case of the constable’s sale under consideration, it appears clearly that these legal requisites and formalities have not been fulfilled. We are therefore, of opinion that the district
It is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed, that the judgment be affirmed with costs.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- REEVES v. KERSHAW
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