Hill v. Goodrich
Hill v. Goodrich
Opinion of the Court
Hill sued Goodrich in March, 1876, to recover certain moneys Goodrich had previously received on a mortgage transferred, to him by Hill in January, 1870. The case was tried by the court and judgment entered for defendant on a special finding of facts. The question of importance was whether the transfer was absolute, or simply as security for demands Goodrich held against Hill. Goodrich insisted it was absolute; and Hill that it was only as security for said demands, and that Goodrich received upon the mortgage a large surplus and refused to account for it.
Hill produced a paper signed by Goodrich, and bearing date on the same day as the assignment, which provided in terms that the assignment should only be absolute in case Hill should, fail to pay certain notes within some three days, but Goodrich claimed that the transaction remained open during this time and was then closed on an understanding that this paper was suppressed, and that the assignment was absolute.
The letters objected to were admissible. They proved that Hill was trying to buy the mortgage of Goodrich more than two years after the assignment. This was certainly very strong evidence that he considered Goodrich to be the owner, and that the security was not held subject to his right to redeem.
The finding is conclusive against Hill. It decides that the transfer was absolute and of course negatives his right to claim any of the proceeds of the mortgage. And the evidence in the bill of exceptions would seem to fully justify the finding.
There is nothing in the case to warrant particular discussion.
The judgment should be affirmed with costs.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Jacob N. Hill v. Charles L. Goodrich
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published