Case Name: SHAW ASSIGNEE vs. BOWEN AND TERRY
Court: Tennessee Superior Court of Law and Equity
Jurisdiction: Tennessee
Decision Date: 1807-10
Citations: 1 Overt. 249
Docket Number: 
Parties: SHAW ASSIGNEE vs. BOWEN AND TERRY.
Judges: Powel J. and Overton, J. gave judgment conformably to the opinion delivered above by Overton j. Humphrey's. j, dubitatur.
Reporter: Tennessee Reports
Volume: 1
Pages: 249–249

Head Matter:
SHAW ASSIGNEE vs. BOWEN AND TERRY.
In Error. The writ was in debt upon an assigned bond, and after an alias, a judicial attachment, upon the return of which, it was agreed to " plead and try at next term.” The defendant then pleaded in abatement which was overruled ; he then pleaded nil debet ; demurrer, which was overuled, and withstanding, the court gave judgment for the plaintiff.
Nil debet is not a good plea in debt on an assigned bond ; a plea in abatement cannot be received after an agreement to plead and try at the next term.
Harris and White for plaintiff in error.
Barry and Whiteside for defendant.

Opinion:
Overton, J.
The court acted correcty in overruling the plea in abatement. The agreement to plead and try at the next term, must be considered as equivalent to a general imparlance or continuance ; after which a plea in abatement cannot be received The plea of nil debet was not proper in this action. If the defendant had designed to put the assignment in issue, he ought to have pleaded non assignavit, agreeably to a decision at Nashville.
The court ought to have sustained the demurrer. It appears from the record, that they did not do it, but they rendered the same judgment as if they had ; therefore let the opinion as to overuling the demurrer be reversed, and the principal judgment be affirmed.
Humphrey's J.
was inclined to think that the plea of nil debet was good in case of an assigned bond but adjourned for further consideration.
Note.—At October Term, 1808.
Powel J. and Overton, J. gave judgment conformably to the opinion delivered above by Overton j. Humphrey's. j, dubitatur.