Northington v. Tuohy
Northington v. Tuohy
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
(Transferred from Austin. J
§ 3 2 6. Consideration of written instrument; parol evidence in relation to; rules as to. Whilst it is an elementary general rule that parol evidence is not admissible to contradict, qualify, extend or vary written instruments, and that the grantor in a deed, and his privies, are es-topped by the recitals therein, it is well settled by the great weight of authority, that this doctrine is not applicable to the consideration of a deed or other written instrument. In Goodspeed v. Fuller, 46 Maine, 141, it is said: “The only effect of the consideration clause in a deed is to estop the grantor from alleging that it was executed without consideration, and to prevent a resulting trust in the grantor. For every other purpose it may be varied or explained by parol proof. . . . The entire weight of authority tends to show that the acknowledgment of payment in a deed is open to unlimited explanation in every direction.” Mr. Wharton says: “Recitals of receipt,of purchase money stand on a distinct basis, it being held that, though they may be called particular, they may be varied or explained by the parties by parol proof. They partake in this respect of the nature of receipts, which are open to parol explanations.” [2 Whart. Ev. § 1042.] “ The right to explain is not confined to cases where consideration is recited. It applies to all cases of consideration whether recited or not. And generally, at common law, as between the parties to a written contract, the consideration may be attacked by the party against whom suit is brought on the instrument, and parol proof is admissible to assail the consideration seated; to show a consideration where none is recited, or vary that of which there is- a recital. . . . Parol evidence is also admissible to prove an extrinsic consideration varying that expressed.” [Id. § 1044.]
Mr. Parsons says: “It has been held, quite generally, that, when the consideration is expressed in a written contract no other can be proved, unless there are words which indicate other considerations; because this would be an alteration of the contract aliunde. The same rule is said to be applied in equity, unless relief is sought against the instrument on the ground of fraud or mistake; but many decisions of weight allow the maker of a written promise, or of a deed, to prove other and additional considerations besides those expressed in the contract.” [2 Parsons’ Contracts, star p. 430, and cases cited in notes.'] To this author’s citations in support of the last proposition in his above quoted text, may be added the following other decisions: Strohauer v. Voltz, 42 Mich. 444; Dean v. Adams, id. 117; Parrer v. Smith, 64 Me. 74; Davenport v. Mason, 15 Mass. 85; Swisher v. Swisher, 1 Wright, 755; Quimby v. Stebbins, 55 N. H. 422; Barker v. Bradley, 42 N. Y. 320; Lewis v. Brewster, 57 Penn. St. 410; Holmes’ Appeal, 79 Penn. St. 279; Taylor v. Preston, id. 436; Lowe v. Thompson, 86 Ind. 503; Belden v. Seymour, 8 Conn. 312; Bullard v. Briggs, 7 Pick. 533; Pierce v. Brew, 43 Vermont, 295; Parker v. Foy, 43 Miss. 260; Rabsuhl v. Lack, 35 Mo. 316; Harper v. Perry, 28. Iowa, 63. See, also, 3 Wash. Beal Prop, p. 326, note 4. In a recent work on real property, it is said: “The acknowledgment of the consideration is only
§ 327. Judgment by default; order setting aside will not be revised, tohen. Where a judgment by default is set aside by order of the court, at the same term of the court at which said judgment was rendered, such action of the court will not be revised on appeal, unless perhaps it should be made to appear that the court had abused
Reversed and remanded.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- M. W. Northington v. John Tuohy
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- Published