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47 Me. 109

Pettengill v. Merrill

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

Decided July 1, 1860

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine · decided 1860-07-01

Replevin for a boat. The plaintiff introduced thé following copy of an order: — “Bangor, Jan. 31st, 1859. “Mr. Francis Merrill: — Please build for, and let Elisha Pettengill’s agent have one twenty foot boat, of the value of sixty dollars, being such a one as he describes to you, and charge to account of your obedient servant, “L. D. Higgins.” The order was duly accepted in writing upon the face of it by Francis Merrill.

Decided 1860-07-01

¶1The opinion of the Court was drawn up by

Bice, J.

¶2This is an action of replevin for a boat. The evidence shows that the defendant accepted an order in favor of the plaintiff, drawn by one Higgins, to build a boat of specified dimensions, and for a certain price. After the order was accepted, the defendant proceeded to build a boat of the dimensions specified in the order, and at different times declared he was building it on the order of the plaintiff. The boat was never delivered to the plaintiff, and the defendant refused to permit him to take it away. This action is brought to obtain possession.

¶3There is no evidence in the case tending to show that the *112materials of wbicb tbe boat was constructed, or any part thereof, were furnished by the plaintiff.

¶4By the pleadings, the plaintiff’s title is put in issue. To maintain his action, he must therefore show title. Dillingham v. Smith, 30 Maine, 370.

¶5The mere order given for the manufacture of an article, does not affect the title. It will continue to be the property of the manufacturer until completed and tendered. Moody v. Brown, 34 Maine, 107.

¶6When an article is manufactured to order, delivery only can pass a title. Hilliard on Sales, 28; 2 Kent’s Com., 504.

¶7The contract here was merely executory. The rights of the parties, until delivery, rested in contract, and can be enforced only by an action on the contract. Bennett v. Platt, 9 Pick., 558; Brewer & al. v. Smith, 3 Maine, 44. The non-suit was properly ordered. Exceptions overruled,.

Tenney, 0. J., and Appleton, Cutting, May, and Kent, JJ., concurred.
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