Case ID: ny-st-rep_43/html/0358-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Barrett, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Eliza A. Simmons, Ex’rx, Resp’t, v. Helen Craig et al., App’lts.
    
      {Supreme Court, General Term, First Department,
    
    
      Filed December 31, 1891.)
    
    1. Motions and obdebs—Affidavits.
    Where an affidavit on a motion asserts a fact positively it can only be-controverted by an equally positive denial or by stating facts upon the affiant's knowledge tending to disprove the fact asserted.
    2. Same.
    An affidavit which denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a-belief is insufficient to controvert a positive statement of a fact. Such, form of denial is only admistible-in a pleading.
    
      'B. Abatement and beviyob—Judgment.
    Where an action has been revived and continued after the death of the original plaintiff, it is proper to enter judgment in the name of the person who thus became plaintiff on the record. Section 763 of the Code refers only to cases where there has been no revivor or continuance under § 767.
    Appeal by the defendants from, an interlocutory judgment of "the special term, entered on the 3d day of February, 1890; also from an order continuing the action in the name of the plaintiff as executrix of Maria W. Croome, deceased ; also from the final judgment entered herein upon the 16th day of June, 1891.
    
      M Haines, for app’lts; Alan D. Kengon, for resp’t
   Barrett, J.

The only question in this case which has not •been disposed of by a satisfactory opinion at special term is as "to the right of revivor. The interlocutory judgment is supported by an opinion filed by the learned judge who tried the case, in which we concur. By that judgment it was referred to Augustus *0. Brown., Esq., to take an account and to ascertain and report -certain facts.

The report of the learned referee upon which the final judgment appealed from was entered is also supported by a full and •careful opinion, in which we concur. We think the results arrived at are entirely just, and that the conclusions of the court and the referee should not be disturbed. We have no doubt that ■the order continuing the action was properly made. It was in ■precise accord with § 757 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and with the rule laid down in Coit v. Campbell, 82 N. Y., 509. The affidavit of Mr. Kenyon sufficiently established the admission of -Maria W. Croome’s will to probate, and the issuing to the plaintiff •of original and ancillary letters testamentary thereon. The affi-davit on this head was not met by Mi*. Craig’s denial of knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief, nor by his allegation that he had no such knowledge or information. This form of denial, as has been repeatedly held, is only admissible in a pleading, such as an answer to a complaint or a reply to a counter - ■claim. Where an affidavit on a motion asserts a fact positively, it can only be controverted by an equally positive denial or by stating facts, upon the affiant’s knowledge, tending to disprove the facts asserted. Matter of Sullivan, 55 Hun, 285; 28 St. Rep., 566, and cases there cited.

And further, the facts so testified to by Mr. Kenyon are fully set forth in the statement ” furnished pursuant to the rules, and .-are also referred to at the commencement of the proceedings before the referee.

The action having been thus continued, it was proper to enter judgment in the name of the person who then became plaintiff on the record. Section 763, referring to-the entry of judgment in the names of the original parties where the death occurs after "the interlocutory and before final judgment, refers only to cases where there has been ho revivor or continuance under § 757.

The judgments,, interlocutory and final, and the order continuing the action, should be affirmed, with costs.

Van Brunt, P. J., and Daniels, J., concur.