Cook v. Ashmead

Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County

Decided September 29, 1838

Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County · decided 1838-09-29

IN this case the judge, on the trial, received in evidence the plaintiff’s book of original entries, to prove goods sold and delivered, but reserved the point of its admissibility, objection having been made by the defendant, who obtained this rule to show cause why a new trial should not be granted. It appeared that the entries were transferred from a memorandum-book, some on the first, some on the second, and others on the third day after the entry in the memorandum-book.

Decided 1838-09-29

Per Curiam.—

¶1The tendency of the decisions in Pennsylvania is rather to limit than enlarge the scope of the rule, allowing shop-books as evidence for the plaintiff. Thus in Forsythe v. Norcross, (5 Watts 432,) the Supreme Court, although admitting that an entry on a card or slate, was but a memorandum preparatory to more permanent evidence, yet said it must be perfected at or near the time, and that entries transferred, ought in every instan ce to be so at hast in the course of the day succeeding that of the entry by way of memorandum.

¶2Rule absolute.