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33 N.C. 51

Tow v. . Elliott

Supreme Court of North Carolina

Decided June 5, 1850

Supreme Court of North Carolina · decided 1850-06-05

This was an action on the case. It was in evidence on the part of the plaintiff, that some years since, one Thomas Lister, deceased, became the guardian of Margaret, Richard, and Elizabeth Lister, infant heirs of John Lister, deceased, and as such received a considerable amount of funds belonging to his said wards.

Decided 1850-06-05

Nash J.

¶1 The action is brought to recover a sum of money paid to defendant by mistake. One of the most familiar heads in text writers on actions to recover money, is that of mistake. In this case it does not seem to be denied by the defendant, that the money claimed is justly due to the plaintiffs. It is questioned so feebly, as to amount nearly to an admission. He insisted, if they hada right to recover at all, they could not recover against him individually in this form of action. Why not 1 He had received the money through mistake, and it was still in his hands. He was the only person against whom the action could be brought. His receiving it as guardian could make no difference, as against the plaintiff; it was not the money of his wards, and was in fact held by him for the use of the plaintiffs. We must suspect the claim was resisted and the action brought to furnish the defendant with a satisfactory voucher of a proper disbursement of so much of the apparent funds of his ward. The action is properly brought in assumpsit.

¶2 Per Curiam. Judgment according!v.

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