Knapp v. O'Neill

Plaintiff gave evidence tending to prove that he was a householder, having a family for which he provided, and that he owned and used in the prosecution of his business the horse in question when the defendant, by virtue of a judgment and execution, levied upon it and sold it. He also gave evidence, tending to show the value of the horse to be $150 or less, and that he had not other personal propery named in section 1391, amounting with the horse to $250. By such proof his case was made out, and it must be .assumed the jury found such facts. (Hoyt v. Van Alstyne, 15 Barb., 568.)

The case just cited was approved of in Wilcox v. Hawley (31 N. Y., 653), in which case Davies, J., says: “ The word ‘ necessary,’ as used in the statute, applies to the household furniture and qualifies the extent of that furniture exempted.” The language found in the act of 1842 (chap. 157), as amended by chapter 134 of the Laws of 1859, is not exactly like that found in section 1391 of the Code of Civil Procedure. In the act of 1859, the language is, viz.: “ In addition to the articles now exempt by law from levy and sale under execution, there shall be exempted from such sale, necessary household furniture, and working tools and team owned by any person being a householder, or having a family for which he provides.” * * * In section 1391 the language is, viz.: “ In addition to the exemptions allowed by the last section, necessary household furniture, working tools and team * * * are exempt from levy and sale by virtue of an execution when owned by a person being a householder, or having a family for which he provides except,” etc.

There was proof sufficient to warrant the jury in finding that the horse was exempt within the language of section 1391, and its verdict was upon the questions of fact controlling in the case. (Wilson v. Ellis, 1 Denio, 462; Sammis v. Smith, 1 T. & C., 444.) It has been settled that “ one horse ” is covered by and included in the word “ team.” (Harthouse v. Rikers, 1 Duer, 606; approved in Wilcox v. Hawley (supra); Dains v. Prosser, 32 Barb., 290; Brown v. Davis, 9 Hun, 44; Lockwood v. Younglove, 27 Barb., 505.)

We think the trial judge was correct in his instruction, to the jury that the burden of proof was upon the plaintiff, in respect to the facts essential to carry the case within the protecting provisions of *319the statute. We may properly assume that the jury found that the horse “ was necessary to the support of his family or in the prosecution of Ms accustomed business.” (Wilcox v. Hawley, supra.) We think the trial judge put the case to the jury in a more favorable aspect for the defendant than he was entitled to, and that his exceptions to the charge of the judge, and his refusals to charge, do not point out any error. If the plaintiff used the horse in any branch of business, such as collecting accounts, carrying passengers or letting the horse for hire, which the plaintiff was carrying on to gain support for himself and family in whole or in part, the horse was exempt within the humane spirit of the statute, which has always received a liberal construction in favor of the parties protected by it. “The exemption in the statute was not made to depend on the pecuniary ability of the debtor; it is a benign and remedial statute, enacted for the benefit of families, from the highest motives of public policy.” (Smith v. Slade, 57 Barb., 641.) The plaintiff was entitled to select his own business to support in part or in whole his family. It was not error to refuse to charge that “ if it was possible to support his family in some other way that then tlie horse was not exempt.” In Cogsdill v. Brown (5 Hun, 341) it was said the owner “ had the right to retain the property and find uke for it.” We think no error was committed in excluding the particulars of the transactions between plaintiff and his aunt, Hiss Schuyler. The evidence did not seem to be relevant to, or important to, any issue arising upon the trial. The foregoing Mews lead to an affirmance of the order denying the motion for a new trial and of the'judgment on the verdict.

Judgment and order should be affirmed, with costs.

Judgment and order affirmed, with costs.