Adams v. Woonsocket Co.
Adams v. Woonsocket Co.
Opinion of the Court
The plaintiff, being entitled to the earnings and services of his minor daughter, may well maintain his action for the value of those services. His right to remuneration will embrace the whole period from August 1843, when he gave the verbal notice to the defendants. The notice of 5th February 1844 is more formal, and is in writing; but such written notice is not necessary to charge the defendants.
The compensation for the services is to be such sum as they were reasonably worth; and in this respect the same rule will apply, as well after as before 5th February 1844. It is true that the plaintiff, in his written notice to the defendants, informed them that he should demand of them three dollars and fifty cents per week, without deduction on any
The claim of the defendants for articles for clothing for the minor, we think, stands 'upon a different footing. The father might well object to the expenditure on his account of any money for clothing for his daughter. No deduction should be made on that account.
The only remaining inquiry is, whether the right of the plaintiff to maintain this action is barred by reason of the settlement with the defendants, alleged to have been made by Simon Lynch, as agent for the plaintiff. There is some apparent discrepancy in the statement of the parties, as to the facts upon that point. If Lynch had no other authority than that contained in the notice of 5th February, that was clearly insufficient to authorize the adjustment that was made by him. If he had authority independently of this, as he may have had, such settlement may bind the plaintiff. The parties disagree as to this fact, and the case will be sent to a jury
The statement of facts is discharged, and the case remanded to the court of common pleas.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- John Adams v. The Woonsocket Company
- Status
- Published