Case Name: Palmer v. Seymour
Court: Connecticut Superior Court
Jurisdiction: Connecticut
Decision Date: 1786-09
Citations: 1 Kirby 139
Docket Number: 
Parties: Palmer v. Seymour.
Judges: 
Reporter: Connecticut Reports
Volume: 1
Pages: 139–140

Head Matter:
Palmer v. Seymour.
Judgment arrested, because tbe issue is immaterial, and does not determine the merits of the cause.
This was an action on the case, against the defendant (who was a justice of the peace) for issuing a writ of replevin, without taking legal and sufficient bonds.
The defendant pleaded, That at the time of granting the writ of replevin, one Preserved Eield was recognized in due form of law, to prosecute said replevin, who was then an inhabitant of Hartford, a person in trade, and possessed of property in said Hartford, to the amount of the plaintiff’s demand in the action, which he had attached, and amply sufficient to pay any other demand, to the amount of three times that sum.
On this plea, issue was taken — and a verdict for the plaintiff.
Eor the defendant, it was moyed in arrest of judgment: — ■
1. Because the verdict is founded on an immaterial issue.
2. Because the plaintiff’s reply is 'a departure from the declaration: Eor the declaration charges the defendant with táking no security, and the reply brings in issue the sufficiency only.
3. Because the verdict amounts to a negative pregnant, and implies, that said Eield had sufficient property in some other place.
The judgment was arrested: And,

Opinion:
By the Court.
The issue, as found by the verdict, does not determine the merits of the cause. The jury find, that Field, who gave bonds in the case, was not possessed of sufficient estate in Hartford; but if he was possessed of sufficient estate in any other place, it would have been sufficient to justify the defendant in taking his bonds; but, from the verdict, it does not appear whether he had estate elsewhere or not; — therefore, a repleader is ordered.
Note.— Judge Ellsworth excused himself from judging in this case, he having been of counsel in it before his appointment of judge.