Case ID: ny-st-rep_66/html/0418-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Herrick, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Warren B. Agan, Resp’t, v. Hiram File et al., as Executors, etc., App’lts.
    
      (Supreme Court, General Term, Third Department,
    
    
      Filed February 12, 1895.)
    
    Limitation—Mutual demands.
    The cause of action for a balance found due upon the settlement of mutual demands accrues only at, and the statute of limitations begins to run. only from, the time of such settlement.
    Appeal from a judgment in favor of plaintiff.
    
      B. W. File (Henry A. King, of counsel), for app’lts ; Davenport & Hollister (N. Davenport, of counsel), for resp’t.
   Herrick, J.

I think there is evidence in this case to show that, prior to the year 1887, there was an outstanding claim or ac~ count between Warren B. Agan and Lyman B. Agan; that iti February, 1887, the parties, upon examination of their accounts, differed as to the amount due, and finally agreed to adjust or compromise it at $1,200. There being evidence of such facts, we should not disturb the findings of the referee in respect thereto. It seems to me that the settlement or agreement upon that sum was the foundation of a new cause of action in favor of Warren B. against Lyman B. Agan. We are not at liberty to go back of the settlement to determine whether in truth and fact Warren B. had at that time a just and legal claim against Lyman. Barnes v. Ryan,, 66 Hun, 170 ; 49 St. Rep. 152, and cases cited. If it did constitute a cause of action, that cause of action -only accrued at the time of the settlement, that is, February, 1887. And six years had not elapsed when the claim was referred; consequently, it is not barred by the statute of limitations. While I am inclined to tiiink that the referee erred in some of his findings of fact,—for instance, there does not appear to be positive evidence that the lease of the house to Warren B. was ever delivered to him,—still I do not think those errors affect the result, and it seems to me that in the main the referee’s opinion is correct, and that the judgment should de affirmed, without any opinion.

All concur.