Case ID: ky-op_11/html/0588-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Judge Hargis :", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Jas. A. Mitchell’s Admr. v. Ray & Co.’s Assignee.
    [Abstract Kentucky Law Reporter, Vol. 3-754.]
    Statute of Frauds.
    Allegations in a petition’ showing that the testator simply promised to pay the debt of another and paid part of it a're not sufficient to constitute a cause of action, the promise being verbal and within the statute of frauds and perjuries.
    APPEAL FROM HANCOCK CIRCUIT COURT.
    April 1, 1882.
   Opinion by

Judge Hargis :

The only allegation of the petition relative to appellant’s testator is that “he assumed to pay said note and in pursuance of said assumpsit did on the 16th day of August, 1873, pay to said Ray & Company on said note the sum of $755 as appears by a credit indorsed on the back of said note.”

The question presented by this appeal is whether the averment quoted states a cause of action against the appellant’s testator. There is no consideration alleged on which the assumpsit is based. And the allegations show that the testator simply promised to pay the debt of another and paid part of it, which is insufficient to constitute a cause of action, the promise being verbal and within the statute of frauds and perjuries.

W. S. Roberts, for appellant.

It was not necessary or proper to make a motion in the court below to set aside or modify the judgment before taking this appeal, because the judgment was not void, nor could it have been set aside or modified by the court after the term during which it was rendered. Civ. Code (1876), § 763. The judgment was erroneous but after the term had expired it would have been enforcible had the appellant failed to appeal.

Wherefore the judgment is reversed and cause remanded for further proper proceedings.