Case ID: ohio-st_49/html/0654-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "By The Court.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Reed v. Reed.
    
      Breach of marriage contract — No action lies, where parties are first cousins.
    
    No action will lie to recover damages tor a breach of contract of marriage made in Ohio, where it-appears that the parties are related as first cousins.
    (Decided December 6, 1892.)
    Error to the Circuit Court of Monroe county.
    Action for breach of promise of marriage was prosecuted by the plaintiff against the defendant, in the court ,of common pleas. It was shown that the parties were first cousins; that the contract was entered into in Ohio, but to be performed in Pennsylvania, and that, at the instance of defendant, plaintiff went to Pittsburg, Pa., where defendant agreed to meet her, to marry, but he failed to perform his agreement.
    A judgment was obtained by plaintiff, which was reversed by the circuit court.
    
      Hunter & Mallory, for plaintiff in errror.
    
      John P. Spriggs, for defendant in error.
   By The Court.

We find no error in the record. Section 6384, Revised Statutes, provides that: “Male persons of the age of eighteen years, and female persons of the age of sixteen years, not nearer of ldn than second cousins, and not having a husband or wife living, may be joined in marriage.” Prior to the amendment of February 10, 1870, the section permitted marriage between persons otherwise qualified, “not nearer of kin than first cousins.” Succeeding sections provide that any probate judge who shall issue a license, or officer who shall solemnize a marriage, contrary to the provisions of the act, shall be fined, etc. All which shows the-spirit and purpose of the law; and this policy is not affected by the consideration that the statute punishing incest, section 7019, includes only persons nearer of kin than cousins. And where a contract is attempted to be. made between parties which contravenes the policy of the statute, courts will not aid in its enforcement, or in obtaining damages for its violation, but will leave the parties where it finds them.

Nor can the agreement to solemnize the marriage in Pennsylvania help the case, as such performance between residents of Ohio would work a fraud on the law. Story on Conflict of Raws, 116 a, and note.

Judgment affirmed.