Case Name: Hurd v. Fleming, Executor of M'Donald
Court: Connecticut Superior Court
Jurisdiction: Connecticut
Decision Date: 1789-08
Citations: 1 Root 132
Docket Number: 
Parties: Hurd v. Fleming, Executor of M’Donald.
Judges: 
Reporter: Connecticut Reports
Volume: 1
Pages: 132–133

Head Matter:
Hurd v. Fleming, Executor of M’Donald.
Action of book-debt lies for money paid on a note that bath not been applied, and the interest.
Action of debt on book. Plea •— Owe nothing. Issue to the jury. Book was for £45' paid to the deceased on a note.
The defendant objected to the plaintiff’s being admitted a witness to prove the article charged: But by the court he was admitted, on the ground of precedents; the case of Prentice v. Phillips, adjudged at Hartford, was cited; and a bill of exceptions was filed.
The plaintiff testified — That he paid the money to said deceased and took of Mm a receipt, which he had lost: That the whole sum of the note on wMch he paid it, had been recovered of him with the interest.

Opinion:
Verdict for plaintiff to recover the principal sum with interest.
Writ of error was afterwards brought to the Supreme Court of Errors on the bill of exceptions and judgment was affirmed.
This was extending the remedy by action on book, very far indeed. It is enabling the plaintiff, under the form of this action, to introduce himself a witness to prove payment, made upon a note or bond; which will render the security of debts by specialty less safe.
The case of Prentice v. Phillips was relied on, tried at Hartford adjourned Superior Court, November A. D. 1185, which was an action on book for £200 hard money, paid on the 1st of May A. D. If76 to the daughter of said Phillips, on account of a note he held against Prentice, and which had not been applied. Plea Avas, oAve nothing. Issue to the jury. • It was objected, that this Avas not a proper article to be charged on book; and as there was no other article charged, the book ought not to go to the jury; and that the plaintiff ought not to be admitted to testify to it. Both objections were overruled. Hie book and the plaintiff Avere admitted, and the plaintiff recoA'ered principal and interest.