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8 N.H. 463

Stevens v. Fuller

Superior Court of New Hampshire

Decided July 15, 1837

Superior Court of New Hampshire · decided 1837-07-15

Case. The declaration contained two counts. The first alleged that on the 14th of September, 1835, the defendant being possessed of a black mare that was unsound, broken winded, and good for nothing, and also of $190 : and the plaintiff being possessed of three colts, of the value of $300, the defendant, to induce the plaintiff to exchange the colts aforesaid for the mare and money aforesaid, falsely and fraudulently affirmed that the mare was sound and free from all defect.

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently June 1880

1 state decisions

Relies on Emerson v. Brigham

Cited in Bouvier (1914)’s definition of “Concealment”

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1837-07-15

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Green, J.

¶1There is evidence in this case from which a jury might find for the plaintiff on the first count. In the conversation between the plaintiff and defendant, and the witness, subsequently to the exchange, the plaintiff stated to the defendant that he warranted the mare sound and free from blemish ; and if this was not expressly admitted, it was not denied. This might be a sufficient ground for judgment on the verdict, but it is not necessary to rely on this.

¶2It is shown that the defendant, knowing that the mare had a disorder which was not apparent, and which rendered her of no value, not only did not disclose it, but said she was worth $100, when in fact she was worth little or nothing. It is fairly to be presumed that this affirmation deceived the plaintiff, as she was estimated at that sum in making the trade ; and it was clearly false and fraudulent. We are of opinion that this is sufficient to sustain the action on the second count. 10 Mass. 197, Emerson vs. Brigham & a.

¶3Perhaps an action might have been sustained, even if the defendant had not represented the mare to be worth $100. *465There are authorities to show that if there be intentional concealment, or suppression of material facts, in the malting of a contract of sale, in cases in which both parties have not equal access to the means of information, the vendor is liable. 2 Kent’s Com. 377; Peake’s N. P. C. 115, Mellish vs. Motteaux.

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