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191 Mass. 151

Brooks v. Sawyer

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · decided 1906-03-05

Tort as stated below. Writ dated July 10, 1905. The declaration alleged that on or about April 8, 1905, the defendant represented to the plaintiffs that she was the owner of certain real estate situated in Cambridge, in the County of Middlesex, and that she was legally competent to sell, and was desirous of selling, the same, and to induce the plaintiffs to enter into an agreement in reference to the purchase of the same, the defendant falsely and fraudulently represented to…

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently September 1951

2 state decisions

Relies on Slayton v. Barry · Drude v. Curtis

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1906-03-05

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Lathrop, J.

¶1We are of opinion in this case that the demurrer to the declaration was rightly sustained, and judgment rightly ordered for the defendant. While the action is called one of tort, yet the action is clearly for the breach of a contract, and the fraud alleged is directly connected with the contract. The case is governed by Slayton v. Barry, 175 Mass. 513, where the question is fully considered, and the rule laid down by Chancellor Kent followed. “ The fraudulent act, to charge him, [the infant] must be wholly tortious; and a matter arising ex contractu, though infected with fraud, cannot be changed into a tort in order to charge the infant in trover, or case, by a change in the form of the action.” 2 Kent Com. 241.

¶2The case of Drude v. Curtis, 183 Mass. 317, disposes of the argument that the plaintiff may recover as damages the sum paid by him for the option. It also disposes of the case of Walker v. Davis, 1 Gray, 506, relied upon by the plaintiff.

¶3Judgment affirmed.

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