Case Name: Clarke vs. Dunham
Court: New York Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1847-04
Citations: 4 Denio 262
Docket Number: 
Parties: Clarke vs. Dunham.
Judges: 
Reporter: Denio's Reports
Volume: 4
Pages: 262–262

Head Matter:
Clarke vs. Dunham.
It is not irregular to sue and recover a judgment against one who has been found by inquisition to be a lunatic or an habitual drunkard.
The defendant was found to be an habitual drunkard in February, 1845, and a committee was appointed to take charge of his person and estate. The plaintiff afterwards commenced this action of assumpsit by the filing and service of a declaration, obtained judgment by default, and issued execution.
D. Burwell, on behalf of the committee,
moved to set aside the judgment and subsequent proceedings for irregularity. He cited 2 Paige, 422; 3 id. 199; 5 id. 489; Shelford on Lunacy, 424.
J. H. Collier, contra,
cited 19 Wend. 649.

Opinion:
By the Court, Bronson, Ch. J.
We do not think the proceedings irregular. The committee should apply to the court of chancery. (Robertson v. Lain, 19 Wend. 649.)
Motion denied.