Case Name: Jackson, ex dem. The Trustees of the Union Academy of Stone Arabia, &c. against Plumbe
Court: New York Supreme Court of Judicature
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1811-10
Citations: 8 Johns. 378
Docket Number: 
Parties: Jackson, ex dem. The Trustees of the Union Academy of Stone Arabia, &c. against Plumbe.
Judges: 
Reporter: Johnson's Reports
Volume: 8
Pages: 378–378

Head Matter:
Jackson, ex dem. The Trustees of the Union Academy of Stone Arabia, &c. against Plumbe.
Where a corpothe""ouT^contract, or to recover real property, they must, at the tnal, show that they are a corporation, or be nonsuited-
THIS was an action of ejectment, tried at the Mont~ gomery circuit, in September last, before Mr. Justice y t x
After the confession of lease, entry and ouster by the _ 7 J J defendant, the plaintiff proved a deed of the land t® the lessors in fee; and that the defendant was, at the commencement of the suit, and still is, in possession. The counsel for the defendant moved for a nonsuit, on the ground that the plaintiff had not produced the patent or charter creating the lessors a body corporate; and for want of this evidence the judge ‘nonsuited the plaintiff.
A motion was made to set aside the nonsuit, which was submitted to the court, without argument.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
The rule seems to be that when a corporation sues, either on a contract, or to recover real property, they must, at the trial, under the general issue, prove that they are a corporation. (Hob. 21. 2 Ld. Raym. 1535. 1 Kydon Corporations, 292, 293. Peters v. Mills, Bull. N. P. 107.) The nonsuit in this case was, therefore, properly directed.
Motion denied.