Edgington v. Jamison
Edgington v. Jamison
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
The complainant alleges in this bill that, as administrator of the estate of J. C. Brooks, deceased, he has a valid demand against the estate of David Jami-son, deceased, and he seeks to reach the land descended to his heir, Bobert Jamison, in satisfaction of his demand, alleging that the personal assets have been exhausted. Both the administratrix and the heir, who are alleged to be non-residents, are made defendants.
The nature of the claim is stated substantially as follows: Thomas O’Keefe brought an action of replevin for a lot of goods against J. C. Brooks, gave bond in the sum of $600, with Jamison and others as sure
The second ground of demurrer relates to an attachment that was prayed for and issued. This, however, does not go to the whole case, as the attachment might be discharged without dismissing the entire case, and the complainant’s counsel does not strongly object to the discharge of the attachment.
The third ground of demurrer is, “that there has
First, it is argued that while the statutes authorize a revivor in the name of the heir of either the plaintiff or' defendant, where no one will administer, that this cannot apply to a replevin suit, as the heir has no right to the personal estate, and no power to perform the judgment of the court by returning the goods replevied. The act of 1809, Code sec. 2849, enacts that “if no person will administer upon the estate of a deceased plaintiff or defendant, the suit may be revived by or against the heir.” Sec. 257, from the same act, provides that when no person will administer upon the estate of a deceased defendant, sei. fa. may issue against the heirs to show cause why judgment and execution shall not be had against the lands descended, and a guardian ad litem will be appointed for the minor heirs. See also Bandy v. Walker, 3 Head, 568.
There is no exception in the statute as to the
Second, it is argued that the transcript shows that the revivor in this case was without authority, as the sci. fa. against Emma O’Keefe was issued without the proper suggestion, and the record does not show that no one would administer. This could, at most, but amount to an error that might be corrected upon a direct review, but does not render the revivor void when collaterally attacked, as in the present case.
Again, it is argued that the final judgment against Emma O’Keefe is void, because it is a personal judgment against her, whereas the proper judgment was, that the defendant have judgment and execution against the lands descended. This is the proper judgment, as will be seen by sec. 2257, which relates to cases against the heir of a defendant, and the same would apply here as in replevin; the defendant may have
We think the Chancellor erred in sustaining this ground of demurrer. A creditor of a deceased party may proceed under the act of 1879 without first obtaining a judgment against the administrator. The pendency of the soi. fa. to revive the action of re-plevin against the administratrix of D. Jamison, is no objection to this bill, unless perhaps taken advantage of by plea in abatement, or motion to compel an election, as the complainant has his option to proceed in that mode, or bring an original action on the bond.
Next, it is argued that it appears from the transcript filed,, from the circuit court, that D. Jamison was not surety on the bond, as his name is not in the body of the bond. There are also affidavits copied into that transcript which, if they could be looked to, would seem to throw doubt upon the question whether he was surety or not, but this is a matter of defense. The bill charges that he was surety, and the record from the circuit court does not necessarily contradict this. The omission of his name in the body of the
Upon the whole case we think the Chancellor erred in sustaining the demurrer.
The decree will be reversed, the demurrer overruled, and the cause remanded, the administratrix paying the costs of this court.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- T. B. Edgington, Adm'r v. Robert Jamisons.
- Status
- Published