Case Name: James et al. versus Young
Court: Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Decision Date: 1788-03
Citations: 1 Dall. 248
Docket Number: 
Parties: James et al. versus Young.
Judges: 
Reporter: Dallas
Volume: 1
Pages: 248–248

Head Matter:
James et al. versus Young.
JUDGMENT being entered by default at the first term, Mifflin had obtained a rule to shew cause why it should not be opened, upon the affidavit of a third person, that the Defendant was bed-ridden, and that there was a just and conscionable defence.
Todd a terwards opposed the action as grounded upon the affidavit of a third person.

Opinion:
But
By the Court:
A third person fully acquainted with the circumstance ought certainly to be admitted to make the affidavit of a defence when the party himself from extreme sickness is incapable of making it; but when he is present, and subject to no disability, it is regularly incumbent upon him to do it. This, however, it a case under very particular circumstances; and the judgment was entered at the first term. We think, therefore, the judgment ought to stand as a security; but that the Defendant must be let into a trial upon an issueable plea.