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45 Mich. 357

Hyler v. Nolan

Michigan Supreme Court

Decided January 19, 1881

Michigan Supreme Court · decided 1881-01-19

<p> Absolute transfers mag be shown to be by way of seev/rity. </p> <p>Parol evidence is admissible to explain the true consideration for a contract and apply the instrument to the subject matter.</p> <p>One who has given a written assignment, absolute in form, of a particular payment described in a mortgage, and has also given the accompany, ing note, can nevertheless show by parol that the transfer .was not unqualified but was made as security for repayment of money borrowed from the transferee.</p> <p>The finding of a trial judge, sitting without a jury, is conclusive as to the witness’s credibility and the effect of his evidence.</p>

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently July 1911

2 state decisions

Relies on Bowker v. Johnson · Colman v. Post · Kimball v. Myers

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Affirmed · Decided 1881-01-19

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Graves, J.

¶1This record presents the single question of law whether it was competent for the plaintiff to give parol evidence that his written assignment to the defendant, absolute in form, of a particular payment described in a mortgage, together with the accompanying note, was in fact made as security for a sum of money borrowed by the plaintiff of the defendant, and not as an unqualified transfer. The circuit judge allowed the evidence and the defendant excepted. The ruling was correct.

¶2The purpose of the evidence was to explain the true consideration between the parties to the contract, and apply the instrument to the subject-matter, and this was entirely proper. Colman v. Post 10 Mich. 422; Kimball v. Myers 21 Mich. 276; Bowker v. Johnson 17 Mich. 42.

¶3*358Tbe question of credibility and tbe effect of tbe evidence was for tbe circuit judge wbo found tbe facts, and bis determination is conclusive.

¶4Tbe judgment is affirmed with costs.

Tbe other Justices concurred.
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