Arms v. Ashley
Arms v. Ashley
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the Court was read as drawn up by
When this case came formerly before us, the objection now urged, that the action could not be maintained, because the title to real estate was involved, was considered and overruled.
It is said, however, that here was no trust, but that the writing relied upon to prove it, is evidence of only a personal contract of E. Ashley with the plaintiff, on which the defendant is in no degree answerable. Butwe are satisfied that the writing is a sufficient declaration of trust within our statute, agreeably to the decision of this Court in the case of Barrett v. Joy.
No consideration, it is true, is expressed in the writing as passing from the plaintiff to E. Ashley, but a consideration may be proved aliunde,
Considering, then, that the legal estate in the rents and profits levied upon was in the defendant’s father, who agreed to hold the same after a certain period for the use of the plaintiff, and that the defendant, under color of descent from his father, has possessed himself of the rents and profits belonging to the plaintiff, we see no objection to their being recovered in this action ;
The rule of law, that the title to land cannot be tried in an action for money had and received, does not apply to cases where only the past-gone rents oi land are in question Monypenny v. Bristow, 2 Russ. & Mylne, 117.
See Mien v. Impett, 8 Taunt. 263; S. C. 2 Moore, 240.
This action for money had and received is said to be founded m the principles of justice, and has been greatly extended on the ground of its being considered like a bill in equity. See Moses v. Macferlan, 2 Burr. 1012; Stratton v. Bastall, 2 T. R. 370; Wright v. Butler, 6 Wendell, 284; 2 Stark. Ev. (5th Amer. ed.) 64; Chitty on Contracts, (3d Amer. ed.) 182; Allen v. M‘Keen 1 Sumner, 277.
See Davenport v. Mason, 15 Mass. R. 85; Howell v. Deluncey, 4 Cowen 427; Maigley v. Haner, 7 T. R. 341.
As to the enforcement of a trust against one who comes into the possession of property bound by the trust, see Story’s Comm. Eq. c. 9, § 533 p.506,507.
Ainsley v. Wilson, 7 Cowen, 662; Sheldon v. Welles, ante 63, note.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Eliphaz Arms versus Thomas W. Ashley
- Status
- Published