¶1If the father of the witness whose deposition is objected to, had died intestate, I think the deposition ought not to bo read, for an obvious reason, that the rights and property of the father, by law devolving on the son, he would thereby be interested in this suit, and of course would not he competent to give evidence ; hut it appears that the father made a will, in which, no doubt, he has disposed of all his property $ perhaps he may hav e given it, or part of it, to this very son, or may have given him nothing. By making a will we may conclude that nothing has fallen to hi in by operation of law, for if the father had been contented with the disposition which the law would have made of his property he would not have made a will. £ think as an interest in the son was not shewn by producing the will of the father, the Court were right in receiving the depositios?, of the son, and a new trial ought not to be granted.
9 N.C. 422
M'Kinna v. Hayer
Supreme Court of North Carolina
Decided June 15, 1823
Supreme Court of North Carolina · decided 1823-06-15
From Mecklenburg. This was an action of covenant, brought on an instrument signed by the Defendant Hayer and by Pickens. On the trial below, before Daniel, Judge, the Plaintiff called on witnesses to prove the handwriting of William Pickens, subscribing witness to the instrument, who resided without the State. They proved not only the handwriting of. the wiu>ess, but also that of the obligors.
Decided 1823-06-15