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2 Ill. 469

Brown v. Knower

Illinois Supreme Court

Decided December 15, 1838

Illinois Supreme Court · decided 1838-12-15

Judgment was rendered in this cause for the defendants in error, by default, for $153,37 and costs, at the April term, 1838, of the Municipal Court of the City of Chicago.

Decided 1838-12-15

Smith, Justice,

¶1delivered the opinion of the Court :

¶2This was an action of assumpsit on a promissory note, by the holder against the defendants, as assignors, who are sued jointly. The declaration shows the defendants assigned the note separately, in their individual names, and not jointly.

¶3Judgment having been entered against Brown, Field not having been served with process, the question is now made, whether the action can be sustained against Brown, in its present form. There can be no doubt that the liability of each is several, and not joint. The action, in its present form, has been misconceived. The liability of the assignor of a note, under our statute, making promissory notes assignable, is contingent; and the holder is required to show due diligence to obtain payment from the maker, before he can resort to the endorser, or more properly, the assignor.

¶4The judgment is erroneous as to Brown, not merely because the declaration has omitted to aver due diligence to obtain payment of the maker; but more especially so, because of a misjoinder of defendants in the action.

¶5The judgment is reversed with costs.

¶6Judgment reversed.

¶7Note. See Humphreys v. Collier et al. Ante 47.

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