Case Name: Fey vs. Fey and others
Court: New Jersey Court of Chancery
Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Decision Date: 1876-05
Citations: 27 N.J. Eq. 213
Docket Number: 
Parties: Fey vs. Fey and others.
Judges: 
Reporter: New Jersey Equity Reports
Volume: 27
Pages: 213–213

Head Matter:
Fey vs. Fey and others.
Matter in avoidance of complainant’s claim, under proceedings to fore•close his mortgage, must be proved otherwise than by the answer. The testimony held not to establish the defence.
Eill to foreclose. On final hearing on pleadings and proofs.
Mr.. S. M. Pennington, for complainant.
Mr. John Whitehead, for defendant Ward.

Opinion:
The Chancellor.
The defendant George M. Ward, who, through sale under -a judgment, became the owne? of the mortgaged premises after the recording of the complainant's mortgage, in his answer sets up fraud as a defence to that mortgage. He alleges that the mortgage was given without consideration and in fraud of the creditors of Louis Fey, the mortgagor. His counsel insists that he is entitled to the benefit of his answer in support of this defence, and that the answer is responsive do the bill on that head, and is therefore conclusive unless overcome by proof on the part of the complainant. The matter thus pleaded is set up in avoidance of the complainant's claim, and it is a settled rule that such matter must be proved otherwise than by the answer. The testimony produced is of two kinds: proof of declarations and admissions •of the mortgagee, which, it is insisted, show fraud; and testimony as to the business, wages and other pecuniary resources •of the mortgagee, offered to show the improbability of his having been, at the time of making the mortgage, the creditor of the mortgagor, (who is his son-in-law,) to the amount of .$1500, the principal of the mortgage. The defence is not ¡proved. There will, therefore, be a decree for the complain-, ant.