Case Name: Noah Clark, in Error, versus Ezekiel Lamb, Executor &c.
Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Decision Date: 1828-09-22
Citations: 6 Pick. 512
Docket Number: 
Parties: Noah Clark, in Error, versus Ezekiel Lamb, Executor &c.
Judges: 
Reporter: Massachusetts Reports
Volume: 23
Pages: 514–519

Head Matter:
Noah Clark, in Error, versus Ezekiel Lamb, Executor &c.
In an action brought in the Common Pleas by an executor, the original declaration was for money had and received by the defendant to the use of the plaintiff, an executor, and that court allowed the plaintiff to amend by adding counts for money had and received by the defendant to the use of the testator and a promise thereon to pay the executor j on an insimul computassent between the plaintiff as executor and the defendant, of money due to the plaintiff as executor ; and for money had and received to the use of the testator, and a promise to pay the testator. Verdict and judgment for the plaintiff. On a writ of error, it was held, that it was not error in the Common Pleas to allow the amendments, and that after verdict and judgment the amended counts must be presumed to be for the same cause of action as the original count, as nothing appeared on the record to show that they were for different causes of action.
In the above action the defendant pleaded non assumpsit and non assumpsit infra sex annos to the whole declaration $ and to the first, second and third counts, actio non accrevit infra sex annos to the plaintiff as executor; and to the fourth count, actio non accrevit infra sex annos to the testator. Issues being properly joined, the jury found “ that the defendant did promise the plaintiff in manner and form, &c. within six years next before,” &c. Judgment was entered on this verdict for the plaintiff. Held, 'that the verdict was not erroneous in not' finding upon the issue of no» accredit, as the promise was not averred to be to pay at a future day ; but that it was erroneous in not finding as to the promise alleged in one of the counts to pay the testator. Held also, that even after error brought, the verdict might be amended by the judge’s minutes.
This was a writ of error to reverse a judgment of this Court, rendered at the September term 1827, in Hampshire, against the plaintiff in error. From the record the proceedings in the case appear as follows. The original suit was an action of assumpsit brought by Ezekiel Lamb, as executor of Daniel Lamb, against Clark, the plaintiff in error. The original writ contained only one count, which was for money had and received by Clark, the defendant, to the use of Ezekiel Lamb as executor. An amended declaration was filed at the return term, containing the following additional counts: 2. For money had and received by Clark to the use of the testator, and a promise in consideration thereof to pay the executor: 3. On an insimul computassent between Ezekiel Lamb, as executor, and Clark, of money due to Ezekiel, as executor, and a promise to paj him as executor : 4. For money had and received by Clark, to the use of the testator, and a promise to pay the testator.
Sept. 22d
Clark pleaded non assumpsit to the whole declaration; on which issue was joined to the country. He also pleaded non assumpsit infra sex annos, to the whole declaration. To this plea the plaintiff replied a promise within six years ; on which issue was joined. To the first, second and third counts, Clark pleaded, that the causes of action did not accrue to the plaintiff in his said capacity within six years ; to which the plaintiff replied, that the causes of action did accrue to him as executor' within six years; on which issue was joined to the country. To the fourth count Clark pleaded, that the action did not accrue to the testator within six years ; to this the plaintiff replied, that the action did accrue to the testator within six years ; on which issue was joined to the country.
The jury impannelled to try the issues, returned a verdict, “ that the defendant did promise the plaintiff in manner and form as he has alleged in his declaration, within six years next before the commencement of said action,” and assessed the damages. A motion made by the defendant for a new trial, was overruled, and judgment entered on the verdict. (5 Pick. 193.)
The errors assigned are ; — 1. That the plaintiff below was allowed to amend and did amend his declaration after the entry of the action in the Common Pleas, by filing new and additional counts for new causes of action not contained in the original declaration : 2. That the verdict, on which judgment was rendered, does not find the whole of the issue joined : 3 The general error.
Bliss and Jlshmun, for the plaintiff in error,
cited, in regard to the first error assigned, Brigham v. Este, 2 Pick. 424; Haynes v. Morgan, 3 Mass. R. 203; St. 1784, c. 28, § 14; Prov. St. 13 Will. 3, c. 15 (Anc. Chart. 364); Waters v. Borell, 1 Wils. 223; Bearecroft v. Burnham, 3 Lev. 347; Cope v. Marshall, Sayer, 234; Doe v. Pilkington, 4 Burr. 2447; Phillips v. Bridge, 11 Mass. R. 243; [Rand’s ed. 246, note a;] Colt v. Root, 17 Mass. R. 229; Regulœ Generales, 16 Mass. R. 373; Dean v. Crane, 1 Salk. 28; S. C. 6 Mod. 309; Green v. Crane, (S. C.) Ld. Raym. 1101; Sarell v. Wine, 3 East, 409; Knowles v. Michel, 13 East, 249; Foster v. Allanson, 2 T. R. 479; Trueman v. Hurst, 1 T. R, 40; Bartlett v. Emery, ibid. 42, note; Codman v. Jenkins, 14 Mass. R. 93, 99.
April term 1829, in Hampshire.
With regal’d to the second error assigned, they cited Co. Litt. 227 re; Bac. Abr. Verdict, M; Finymore v. Sanky, Cro. Eliz. 133; Hooper v. Shepherd, 2 Str. 1089; Miller v. Trets, 1 Ld. Raym. 324; Rex v. Hayes, 2 Ld. Raym. 1518; Gomersall and Gomersall’s Case, 2 Leon. 196; Rosse’s Case, 3 Leon. 83; Patterson v. The United States, 2 Wheat. 221; Brockway v. Kinney, 2 Johns. R. 210; Van Benthuysen v.De Witt, 4 Johns. R. 213; Swan v. Wheeler, 4 Day, 139; Brown v. Chase, 4 Mass. R. 436; Holmes v. Wood, 6 Mass. R. 1; Porter v. Rummery, 10 Mass. R. 64; Foster v. Jackson, Hob. 52 ; Com. Dig. Pleader,. S, 19; Grant v. Astle, 2 Doug. 722; Nisbett v. Griffith, Sayer, 97.
Dewey and Bowdoin, contra,
as to the amendments in the Common Pleas, cited 1 Tidd, 652, 653; St. 1784, c. 28, § 14 ; Leighton v. Leighton, 1 Mass. R. 433; Bridge v. Austin, 4 Mass. R. 115; Phillips v. Bridge, 11 Mass. R. 243; Colt v. Root, 17 Mass. R. 229; Harris v. Wadsworth, 3 Johns. R. 257; Heneshoff v. Miller, 2 Johns. R. 295; Burlingame v. Burlingame, 7 Cowen, 92; Standish v. Parker, 2 Pick. 22; Marlborough v. Widmore, 2 Str. 890; Rule 31 of C. C. P. As to the alleged defect in the verdict, they cited Tey’s Case, 5 Co. 40 ; Shirley v. Lunenburg, 11 Mass. R. 379; Brigham v. Eveleth, 9 Mass. R. 538; 1 Roll. Abr. 785; Com. Dig. Pleader, S, 26; Bartlett v. Spooner, Barnes, 461; Foster v. Jackson, Hob. 52; Howks v. Crofton, 2 Burr. 698; Mackalley’s Case, 9 Co. 67; Boswell v. Roby, 3 N. Hampsh. R. 467.

Opinion:
Parker C. J.
delivered the opinion of the Court. [After stating the nature of the several counts.] The objection lies only to the fourth count, for in all the others the promise is alleged to be to the executor, and the consideration is a debt due to the testator in his lifetime. The counts are consistent with each other, and for aught appearing of record, are for the same cause of action, and they ought to be presumed so to be after verdict and judgment.
/n regard to the fourth count, the form of the averment of the promise only is changed, the consideration being the same as in the other counts, viz. money received by the defendant to the use of the testator. Tnis is the only proper count, and would of itself have been sufficient. It is not however inconsistent with the others, for it may well be, that for a debt due to the testator, a promise may be made to the executor, and it is certain that an implied promise to the testator arose in law. These counts may all be joined originally, as has been repeatedly determined. Petrie v. Hannay, 3 T. R. 659; Cowell v. Watts, 6 East, 406; 2 Str. 890.
But it is said that the fourth count is for a different cause of action from that which is averred in the other counts, and therefore it was erroneous in the court to admit it to be filed in amendment of the declaration. In order to sustain this objection it should appear of record, that it was for a different cause. We think this does not appear of record, because the substantial cause of action, as it appears in the preceding counts, is the indebtedness to the testator, which indebtedness raised a promise in law to him, and a promise to the executor could only be proved by showing a debt to the testator in the man ner it is alleged in the three first counts.
In regard to the count on an insimul computassent, as the accounting averred was between the plaintiff as executor and the defendant, ihe presumption in law is, that it related to demands subsisting between the testator and die defendant; so that it does not appear by the record that this was a different cause of action from the others.
The principal difficulty we have met with relates to the verdict, which in terms leaves the issue upon the fourth count unanswered. This however is a fault in the form rather than in the substance of the verdict. One of the issues is upon the three first counts as to the promise to the plaintiff in his capacity of executor, the other relates to the fourth count, in which the promise is alleged to be to the testator. The verdict is, that the defendant promised the plaintiff in manner and form, &c. which in terms excludes the other issue. If the verdict had been, that the defendant made the promise, &c. it would have covered the whole and have been sufficient. Standing as it now does, there appears to be an error, for all the issues ought to be answered by the verdict. Still it is obvious, that if there were not two demands before the jury, this is mere de feet of form, and has not in any degree prejudiced the defendant. Where there is but a single issue composed of several facts, and the verdict does not affirm or negative the whole which is material, no judgment ought to be rendered, and if rendered, must be reversed. Where there are two or more issues and the verdict is perfect as to some, but silent as to others, the verdict is amendable, if by the certificate of the judge it shall appear that there was no other matter in trial except what is embraced in the issues on which the verdict is sufficient; and this may be corrected, even pending a writ of error, as was done in a case much stronger than this, Petrie v. Hannay, reported in 3 T. R. 659. In that case there were founts on promises to the executor and on promises to the testator, and the general issue and statute of limitations were pleaded. The verdict was found generally for the plaintiff on the first, and no notice taken of the last. A writ of error was brought in the House of Lords on two grounds, viz. that there was no verdict on the second issue, and that the two separate demands could not be joined. There was a joinder on error and a day appointed for the argument in the House of Lords The plaintiffs there obtained a rule to show cause why thej should not be at liberty to amend according to the judge's notes, by adding a verdict on the second plea. As to the first, the amendment was allowed, and as to the second it was held, that the counts well lay together. This was a stronger cas9, because the plea of the statute of limitations, if unanswered, way a substantial defence ; but without doubt it appeared by the judge's notes, that it was not sustained by evidence, and therefore the defect in the verdict was considered formal and cura ble by amendment. In the case before us, if the judge shall certify, as we understand he is able to do, that there was but one demand in fact submitted to the jury, we think the verdict may be corrected, for it is evident that the jury intended to find upon the whole matter in favor of the plaintiff.
See Miller v. Clark, 8 Pick. 412; Eaton v. Whitaker, ante, 465. For other cases in .which amendments will be allowed, see Vancleef v. Therasson, 3 Pick. (2nd ed.) 14, note 1; Bishop v. Williamson, 2 Fairfield, 500 to 503.
By the Revised Statutes it is enacted, that the court in which any civil action is pending, may at any time before judgment is rendered therein, allow amendments, either in form or substance, of any process, pleading or proceeding in such action, on such terms as shall be just and reasonable, c. 100, § 22.
See 1 Harr Dig 54, 55; Little v. Larrabee, 2 Greenl. 37; Dryden v Dryden, 9 Pick. 546.