Case Name: Merrils v. Goodwin
Court: Connecticut Superior Court
Jurisdiction: Connecticut
Decision Date: 1790-08
Citations: 1 Root 209
Docket Number: 
Parties: Merrils v. Goodwin.
Judges: 
Reporter: Connecticut Reports
Volume: 1
Pages: 209–209

Head Matter:
Merrils v. Goodwin.
A man finding a tree of bees in another’s land, gives no right to the tree or the bees; unless they went from his own hive.
Eebob to reverse a judgment of a justice in an action of trespass, Goodwin v. Merrils; for cutting down a tree in the woods, that had a swarm of bees in it, and taking the honey, which the plaintiff had previously discovered.
The defendant plead in bar — That said bees were a swarm from his hive; that he had frequently lined them to' near said tree; and that said bees were his property.
The plaintiff replied — That he found them wild in the woods, and had good right to take them. To which reply, a demurrer was given.
The judgment of the justice was — That the plaintiff’s reply was sufficient; with thirty shillings damages.
Error'assigned generally.
Judgment — Manifest error.

Opinion:
By the Court.
A man's finding bees in a tree standing upon another man's land, gives him no right either to the tree or the bees; and a swarm of bees going from a hive, if they can be followed and known, are not lost to tbe owner, but may be reclaimed.