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50 Me. 62

Marshall v. Wing

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

Decided July 1, 1862

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine · decided 1862-07-01

On statement of facts. This was an action of ejectment. It was admitted, that the defendant, at the time this suit was commenced, was in possession of the premises demanded, claiming ünder the mortgager and withholding them from the plaintiff; that, at that time, he was a minor, but has since become of full age.

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently January 1879

1 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1862-07-01

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¶1The opinion of the Court was drawn up by

Appleton, C. J.

¶2Infants are liable for torts. Disseizin is a tort, and ejectment may be maintained against an infant therefor. McCoon v. Smith, 3 Hill, 147; Beckley v. Newcomb, 4 Foster, 363.

¶3" In an action against an infant he must appear by guardian,” for, as it is quaintly remarked, "he has neither knowledge of his own affairs, or to choose one to plead for him; and may have an action against his guardian if he mispleads for him.” 6 Com. Dig. Pleader, 2, c. 2, (202). Error *63will lie if no guardian be appointed. Crockett v. Drew, 5 Gray, 399; Beckley v. Newcomb, 4 Foster, 359.

¶4But the defendant did not plead his minority, and, when issue was joined and the cause was tried, he was of full age. In equity, an infant, who attains his full age pending a suit, may generally be allowed to come in, as of course, and demur, plead, or answer. Tessier v. Wyse, 3 Bland. Ch., 28. So, at common law, pleading to the action after the defendant attains to the age of twenty-one years, is a waiver of any defect of service during minority. Hillegass v. Hillegass, 5 Barr., 326. The defendant attained to full age, and then pleaded to the action. lie can no longer take advantage of a minority, which has ceased to exist. A guardian cannot bo now appointed. The defendant must plead for himself. He may take advantage of any defence which he may have to the action. Infancy was originally no ground of defence, and certainly is not now.

¶5The tender made was after action brought, and does not include costs. It was not enough. It was after condition broken. Maynard v. Hunt, 5 Pick., 240. It has not been brought into Court. It cannot be of any avail to the defendant. Defendant defaulted ;

¶6Judgment as on mortgage.

Kick, Cutting, Davis, Kent, and Walton, JJ., concurred.
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