Chenery v. Webster
Chenery v. Webster
Opinion of the Court
As the appellees gave due notice of their appointment as executors of the will of their testator, and the appellant did not, within two years from the time of their giving bond, commence a suit against them on his claim upon the testator’s estate, he cannot now hold them to answer to such suit,
The construction of these words of § 6 of c. 97 of the Gen. Sts,, viz: “ When assets come to the hands of an executor or administrator after the expiration of two years,” has been adjudged in the case of Sturtevant v. Sturtevant, 4 Allen, 122. It was there decided that these words obviously mean assets for which the executor or administrator has not been previously liable, and not merely the shape which existing assets, with which he has already been charged, may assume; that money received after two years, upon the sale of property that was assets, is not within the meaning of § 6, in the latter clause of which the assets named in the former clause are termed “ such new assets.” The same construction of that section must be given in the present case. See also Veazie v. Marrett, 6 Allen, 372.
By St. 1861, c. 174, § 2, the appellant may apply to this court by a bill in equity, setting forth all the facts, and if the court shall be of opinion that justice and equity require it, and that he is not chargeable with culpable neglect in not bringing his suit within the time limited by law, they may give him judgment against the estate of the deceased for the amount of his claim. This, so far as we know, is his only legal resource.
Decree affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Winthrop W. Chenery v. Nathaniel Webster & another
- Status
- Published