Case ID: del_5/html/0125-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      By the Court:", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

BENJAMIN P. TOWNSEND vs. JOHN S. TOWNSEND.
    What items are properly chargeable in a book account.
    Assumpsit for goods sold, &c., money lent, &c., with the common counts. Pleas, non assumpsit-.
    
      Mr. Platt put in the plaintiff’s book of original entries, with his oath, &c.
    
      
      Mr. Rodney objected to the following items of charge in the plaintiff’s books:—
    1. To a bay horse sold him $45. 2. Hire of wagon; tallage and tavern expenses. ‘ 3. Lot of wheat on the ground $14. 4. Corn delivered by J. T. Townsend $28. 5. Oats delivered by Samuel Stanton; sold for 35 cents, charged 70. 6. A stove omitted (interlined) $10. 7. One grubbing hoe of J. Stevens $1 50. 8. Balance on settlement $1 45. 9. Sharpening a hoe of Stevens 12½ cents.
    
      Platt, for plaintiff.
    
      Rodney, for defendant.
   By the Court:

The plaintiff’s book of accounts is not evidence of cash lent or of cash paid. It is not sufficient evidence in itself of a balance due on a settlement between the parties; the entry of “a bay horse $45,” needs confirmation by other evidence of the sale and price; a horse is not an article of ordinary merchandise; “ tallage and tavern expenses” must be a charge for cash paid for tallage and tavern expenses; arid is not proper. The lot of wheat on the ground” also needs confirmation.