Case Name: Miller v. Irish
Court: New York Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1874-12
Citations: 5 Thomp. & Cook 707
Docket Number: 
Parties: Miller v. Irish.
Judges: 
Reporter: Thompson & Cook's Supreme Court Reports
Volume: 5
Pages: 707–707

Head Matter:
Miller v. Irish.
Evidence — of employment—commissions —for sale of real- estate.
In an action to recover of the vendor commissions upon the sale of a farm, the defense was that plaintiff had not heen employed to sell the farm. Held, that evidence that plaintiff was in the employ of the purchaser of the farm was admissible on behalf of defendant.
There was a question as to the fact of plaintiff’s employment, and also as'to its extent in time. Held, that under such a question defendants were entitled to show all that he did bearing upon the subject of the sale up to the delivery of the deed.
But if plaintiff was only employed to find a purchaser, he would have earned his compensation when the contract of sale was executed, and evidence of his subsequent conduct would be inadmissible. Knapp v. Wallace, 41 N. Y. 477; Barnard v. Mannett, 3 Keyes, 203; Redfield v. Tegg, 38 N. Y. 212; Lloyd v. Matthews, 51 id. 477. But he was bound to show employment; the extent of it, and that he had performed his part of the contract. Sundorf v. Schmidt, 55 N. Y. 319; Moses v. Burlong, 31 id. 462.
Appeal by plaintiff from a judgment entered upon the verdict of a jury, and from an order denying a motion for a new trial.
The action was, brought by Jacob P. Miller against William Irish, and another to recover commissions upon the sale of a farm.
W. C. Benton, for appellant.
Gaul & Esselstyn, for respondents.

Opinion:
Bockes, J.
The head-note states fully the only points passed upon in the opinion.
Judgment affirmed.