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58 Mass. 604

Stoddard v. Kimball

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Decided November 15, 1849

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · decided 1849-11-15

This action was brought by the plaintiffs, as indorsees, against the defendant, as indorser, of a promissory note, signed by W. C. and A. S. Kelly, payable to the order of Kelly and Reed, and by them indorsed. The note was dated June 20th, 1845, payable in six months at either of the banks in Boston, for $483-94.

Decided 1849-11-15

By the court.

¶1The case discloses no evidence tending to show, that the plaintiff' knew that the note was delivered by the defendant to Kelly and Reed, for the special and sole purpose of taking up another, and was by them, in violation of that trust, applied to a different purpose. The note was not overdue, on the contrary it had several months to run, bore no evidence of being dishonored, and was taken by the plaintiffs *606for a valuable consideration, on giving up another available security. The facts relied on,- without proof affecting the plaintiff with notice of them, cannot, we think, be a ground of defence.

¶2If, as between the defendant and Kelly and Reed, of whom the plaintiff took the note, and to whom alone he is accountable for the proceeds, it was an accommodation note, perhaps the plaintiff must be considered as a holder for value, only for the amount necessary to reimburse him for his advances on it for Kelly and Reed, or the debt for which he took it of them as security; and if the whole amount of the note is not necessary for that purpose, the defendant may have the difference deducted in the assessment of damages.

¶3Exceptions sustained.

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