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21 Wend. 202

Smith v. Tallcott

New York Supreme Court

Decided May 15, 1839

New York Supreme Court · decided 1839-05-15

Demurrer'to declaration. The plaintiffs Gerrit Smith, James Cochran and Catharine V. R. Cochran, declared against the defendants for that on the 21st March, 1836, at, The defendant Tallcott appeared alone and demurred to the first count of the declaration, assigning as special causes of demurrer, the following: 1st. The agreement signed by Mr. & Mrs. Cochran, has never been executed by Gerrit Smith. 2d. Gerrit Smith is not a party to the agreement signed by the defendants,…

Cited by 3 later decisions — most recently December 1851

2 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1839-05-15

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¶1By the Court,

Nelson, Ch. J.

¶2There can be no doubt but that Smith- is properly made a co-plaintiff, and, according to the first case of Petrie v. Bury, 3 Barn. &. Cres. 353, the omission of his name would have been fatal. The intimation in Vernon v. Jefferys, 2 Strange, 1146, that the omission to seal might be cured by averment, seems to have been disregarded in the above'case; but it is conceded in *205Strange, that a party named in the covenant might join in the action, though he did not seal. 1 Saund. PI. & Ev. 390. 1 Selw. 351. 6 Wendell, 629.

¶3The two instruments, I think, must be regarded as one in legal effect: standing upon the same footing as if the one signed by Smith had been incorporated in the body of the principal agreement. It is but a qualification of his liability as therein set forth, and intended as such. Had it been embraced in the body of the instrument, there could have been no doubt in the case ; for though his liability is distinct and separate from that of Cochran and wife, still there would be but one instrument, and that executed by all the parties.

¶4There can be no doubt the wife is properly joined; the covenant is made to her with others, and it is apparent she has a distinct interest. 1 Chitty’s PL 20. 10 Johns. R. 49. From the above view of this case, it follows that both counts are good.

¶5Judgment'for plaintiffs, with leave to defendant to amend on usual terms.

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