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5 N.H. 391

Murray v. Webster

Superior Court of New Hampshire

Decided May 15, 1831

Superior Court of New Hampshire · decided 1831-05-15

This was an action of trespass for breaking and entering the house of the plaintiffs, in New-Chester, on the 28th September, 1828, and pulling down and demolishing the same.

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently November 1942

1 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1831-05-15

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Richardson, C. J.

¶1delivered the opinion of the court.

¶2It is contended, that evidence, which was inadmissible upon the general issue, was received in this case. What the defendant did in pulling down the house was done, not as an officer, but as the servant of E. Webster, after possession had been obtained under the execution. And it is well settled, that in trespass to real property, the title of the defendant, or the person under whom he justifies, may be given in evidence, under the general issue, to show that the right of possession, which is necessary in trespass, is not in the plaintiff. 1 Chitty’s Pl. 492; 8 D. & E. 403, Argent v. Durrant; 7 Ditto, 354, Dodd v. Kyffin; 2 Manning & Ryland, 226, Johnson v. Howson.

¶3The right of D. T. Murray to maintain the action was completely disproved. E. Webster had recovered a judgment against him for the land, and had obtained possession.

¶4If Mary Murray had any title to the land, as a tenant in common, she may maintain trespass, quare domum freg-it, for pulling down the Jurase? Coke Litt. 200 ; 8 B. 6 C. 257, Cubitt v. Porter ; 7 Cowen, 229.

¶5But whatever cause of action, she may have had, it is a fatal objection to a recovery in this case, that she has joined in the action with another, who had no cause of action. 1 Chitty’s Pl. 54 ; 4 Pick. 234, Grozier v. Atwood; 7 J. B. Moore, 29, Steel v. Western.

¶6Judgment on the nonsuit.

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