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25 Wend. 642

Hawley v. Smith

New York Supreme Court

Decided October 15, 1841

New York Supreme Court · decided 1841-10-15

This was an action on the case, tried at the Chemung circuit in October, 1839, before the Hon. Robert Monell, one of the circuit judges. The defendant was an innkeeper, and the plaintiff stopped at his house with a drove of 700 sheep, which, with his knowledge, was turned out to pasture.

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently November 1901

2 state decisions

Relies on Piper v. Manny

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1841-10-15

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¶1"By the Gourt,

Nelson, C. J.

¶2I am of opinion this case falls [ *643 ] within an exception laid down in Cayle’s case, 8 Co. 32, to the general rule in respect to the liability of an innkeeper, which has been followed ever since. It was there resolved, that if the guest deliver his horse to the hostler, and request that he be put to pasture, which is accordingly done, and the horse is stolen, the innholder is not responsible, not being in the common law sense of the term, infra hospitium. He is not to be regarded as an *490insurer for goods without the inn, that is for goods not within the curtilage. 8 Co. 32 ; 2 Kent’s Comm. 592; Story on Bailment, 312 ; 21 Wend. 284.

¶3The sheep were put to pasture under the direction of the guest, which fact should have been regarded by the learned judge as bringing the case within the above exception. It would then have turned upon the question of negligence, which should have been put to the jury upon the facts disclosed.

¶4New trial granted.

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