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4 Miss. 301

Campbell v. Young

Mississippi Supreme Court

Decided January 15, 1839

Mississippi Supreme Court · decided 1839-01-15

This was an action of debt upon a writing obligatory. The defence relied on by the appellees was the statute of limitations, which bars all claims against the deceased, unless the same shall be presented to his executors or administrators within eighteen months after publication of notice by them for that purpose.

Decided 1839-01-15

By the Court:

¶1We do not think that the creditor’s right to sue for the recovery of his claim against a deceased person, is in any way affected by the provisions of the statute. It was only designed to protect the administrator or executor against the consequences of a wrongful payment which he may choose voluntarily to make. If the demand is fraudulent, the proof required by the statute will yet protect him; whereas, if he discharges it without the voucher mentioned and prescribed by law, he does it at his own risk. This is the whole design of the act. This case is precisely that of John Smith v. Prestwood Smith’s Administrator, which was decided at a former day of this term, ante, 216.

¶2The judgment must, therefore, be reversed, the cause remanded and a venire de novo awarded.

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