Case ID: nh_5/html/0315-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      \n      By the court.\n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Ebenezer Odiorne, and another, versus Martha Odiorne.
    A plaintifl'may, in this state, declare upon a note, payable upon a contingency, in the same manner as upon notes strictly negotiable.
    Assumpsit. It was alleged in the declaration, that the defendant, at R. on the 29th November, 1826, by her note or memorandum, in writing, under her hand of that date,’ for value received, promised the plaintiffs, to pay them $171,66, whenever they should settle their father’s estate, or sooner, provided said Martha’s share in the personal estate of her late husband, would not pay one third of the demands against the estate of the said husband. And the plaintiffs averred, that they settled their father’s estate on the 1st May, 1829, and that the said Martha’s share in the personal estate of her late husband, would not pay one third of the demands existing against the same.
    To this declaration there was a general demurrer, and joinder in demurrer.
    
      E. Cults, for the plaintiffs.
    
      I. Bartlett, for the defendant.
   By the court.

The bill upon which the plaintiffs have declared, is payable upon a contingency ; and if the law be the same here as it is in England and New York, the plaintiffs cannot legally declare upon it as a bill. Chitty on Bills, 39 ; 6 Cowen, 108, Cook v. Satterlee; Bayley on Bills, 6—14; Dowling & Ryland’s N. P. C. 33, Ralli v. Sarell.

But in Massachusetts, the custom has always been to declare upon notes payable out of a particular fund, in specific articles, or upon a contingency, in the same manner as upon cash notes strictly negotiable. Chitty on Bills, 39, note ; 4 Mass. Rep. 254.

In this state, the custom is believed to have been the same as in Massachusetts. But in the case of Drown v. Smith, 3 N. H. Rep. 300, it seems to have been supposed that this practice was not correct. We are not, however, aware that any inconvenience has resulted from this practice. It is, without doubt, a great convenience to the plaintiff. For if he must state the consideration, he must prove it as stated, which might in many cases be difficult. And if the defendant can derive any benefit from having the consideration stated, it must consist principally in having a very unnecessary burthen imposed upon the plaintiff.

There is no doubt that the acknowledgment of value received, in a note, not negotiable, is prima facie evidence of a consideration. 7 Johns. 321, Jerome v. Whitney. This being the case, we do not perceive any sound reason why a declaration upon such a note should not be framed in the same manner as a declaration upon a negotiable note.

We are, therefore, of opinion, that the declaration must be adjudged sufficient.

Judgment for the plaintiffs.