Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, 1896

Ryan v. Smith

Ryan v. Smith
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · Decided February 28, 1896 · Knowlton
165 Mass. 303; 43 N.E. 109; 1896 Mass. LEXIS 247

Ryan v. Smith

Opinion of the Court

Knowlton, J.

The only question in this case is whether the judge should have ruled, at the request of the defendant, that the articles purchased by the plaintiff were necessaries. They were a barber’s shop and chair and divers other articles of furniture designed to be used in furnishing a barber’s shop. The plaintiff was a minor, and he had no means of support except what he earned. The law does not contemplate that a minor shall open a shop and become a trader, or the proprietor of a business which involves the making of a variety of contracts. This has long been settled by the authorities. Tupper v. Cadwell, 12 Met. 559. Mason v. Wright, 13 Met. 306. Merriam v. Cunningham, 11 Cush. 40. Wallis v. Bardwell, 126 Mass. 366. McCarthy v. Henderson, 138 Mass. 310. Pyne v. Wood, 145 Mass. 558. It is clear that the articles in question were not necessaries. If they had been hand tools to a reasonable amount, such as are ordinarily provided by a journeyman, and necessary for use in his trade or business, the case would be different.

Exceptions overruled.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.