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2 E.D. Smith 540

Maxey v. Larkin

New York Court of Common Pleas

Decided December 15, 1854

New York Court of Common Pleas · decided 1854-12-15

Action in one of the district courts, by a laborer upon a building, against a contractor employed by the owner in its erection. The plaintiff filed a notice of claim and created a lien upon the building. Afterwards, without proceeding to foreclose the lien, he sued the contractor in the ordinary form for a balance due, and recovered judgment, from which an appeal was taken.

Decided 1854-12-15

By the Court. Ingraham, First J.

¶1There is no ground for this appeal. The questions were purely of fact within the province of the justice to decide, and upon the evidence he has decided correctly. The evidence shows that the plaintiff, who claims from the defendant for work and labor, was employed by the defendant, was directed by him as to the work, and was partly paid by him.

¶2The evidence given to impeach the plaintiff’s witness was insufficient in the opinion of the justice.

¶3The only evidence to the contrary of the plaintiff’s claim was the declaration of the plaintiff that he looked to a third party, and not to the defendant for his pay,; but with the explanation as to the lien on the property claimed by the plain*541tiff, it rather shows the defendant to be a contractor for Bradshaw, who was the owner. Effecting a lien upon the building by way of security in no wise affects or impairs the plaintiff’s right to proceed against his employer and recover against him the amount due.

¶4Judgment affirmed.

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