Engles v. Bruington
Engles v. Bruington
Opinion of the Court
Better evidence will not be demanded than is in the party’s power to give. The Supreme Court has no power to oblige the register of wills to deliver out an original paper lodged with him for probate, to be carried into another state ; nor has it any controul over a witness out of its jurisdiction. I think it is doubted in one of the books, whether the same credit is to be given to the hand writing of a witness beyond sea, as if dead. Per Lord Hardwicks. 2 Vez. 460. But from the cases cited on the part of the plaintiffs, it appears, that where a subscribing witness to a deed or other written instrument is beyond the reach of the process of the court, his handwriting maybe proved as if he were dead. See Peake’s Rep. 100. For this is all that can reasonably be expected from the party, under such circum
The hand writing was fully proved; but it afterwards appeared, that the testatrix had married two husbands, viz. Edward Sennet in 1791, and William Tully in October 1796, her first husband being then living. The presumption being fortified by other proof, that her husband Sennet was in full life, when her will was made in 1801, the jury.found a verdict for the defendant, who had intermarried with a sister of the deceased.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- James Engles and Robert M'Mullen against Robert Bruington
- Status
- Published