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2 Tyl. 356

Forbes v. Hamilton

Supreme Court of Vermont

Decided January 15, 1803

Supreme Court of Vermont · decided 1803-01-15

GENERAL indebitatus assumpsit. The plaintiff declared, that the defendant, on the 1st of January, 1800, was indebted to him in the sum of 100 dollars for work and labour done at his special instance and request, on his farm in Bridport, &c. Second count. Same sum for money had and received to the plaintiff’s use. General issue joined to the country.

Decided 1803-01-15

Sed per Curiam.

¶1The object of the act is set forth in the preamble, and is too plain to admit of argument. “ Whereas it is necessary, to prevent uncertainty, fraud and perjury, in transferring real estates, that a mode therefore should be established, easy, certain and notorious, therefore,” &c. And this object is not extended by the expression relied upon, " No action shall be maintained upon any agreement hereafter to be made for the sale of lands, &c. or any interest therein, or concerning them that is, concerning the sale of lands, or any interest therein, which includes the various tenures by which lands may be holden. In which cases some memorandum, as described in the act, must be made, or an action cannot be maintained on the agreement. To give the act the construction contended for, would be to destroy the right of recovery of almost every labourer at harvesting or mowing, &c. which generally and almost universally rest on parol contracts.

¶2Let the evidence be admitted;

¶3----, for defendant.

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