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3 Serg. & Rawle 200

Dasher v. Leinaweaver

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Decided May 22, 1817

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania · decided 1817-05-22

In Error. ERROR to the Common Pleas of Lebanon county. This suit was an action of debt on a bond, brought by Casper Dasher, assignee of John Elder, assignee of Chris* tian Michael, assignee of Peter Leinaweaver, sen., against Peter Leinaweaver, jun., to which the defendant pleaded payment, and gave notice of the special matter.

Decided 1817-05-22

¶1The opinion of the Court was delivered by

Tilghjian C. J.

¶2The assignee of a bond takes it subject to all the equity, or right of defalcation which exists against the obligee, unless the obligee tells him that he has nothing to defalk. The assignment to Michael, we consider as an advance in right of his wife, and subject to defalcation, in case the father-in-law’s debts exceeded his assets, in the hands of the defendant, who was his administrator. On old Peter Leinaweaver’s death, the bonds of the defendant were equitable assets, for the payment of his debts. We think, therefore, that the administrators’ accounts were prima facie evidence of the amount of Peter Leinaweaver’s estate, and of the debts paid by the defendant, but not conclusive evidence. Without inquiring into the situation of that estate, justice cannot be done to the defendant. Inasmuch, then, *202as it does not appear, that the defendant ever gave the plaintiff reason to suppose, that he had nothing to set-off against his bond, we are of opinion, that the judgment should be reversed, and a venirefacias de novo awarded.

¶3Judgment reversed, and a venire facias de novo awarded.

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