Case Name: James et al. v. Young
Court: Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Decision Date: 1788-03
Citations: 1 Dall. 248
Docket Number: 
Parties: *James et al. v. Young.
Judges: 
Reporter: United States Reports
Volume: 1
Pages: 259–259

Head Matter:
*James et al. v. Young.
Affidavit.
An affidavit, to open a judgment, may be made by a third person, when the defendant is disabled by sickness.
Judgment being entered by default, at the first term, Mifflin had obtained a rule to show cause why it should not be opened, upon the affidavit of a third person, that the defendant was bed-ridden, and that there was a just and conscionable defence.
Todd afterwards opposed the motion, as grounded upon the affidavit of a third person. But—

Opinion:
By the .Court.
A third person, fully acquainted with the circumstances,
ought certainly to be admitted to make the affidavit of a defence, when the party himself, from extreme sickness, is incapable of making it ; but when he is present, and subject to no disability, it is regularly incumbent upon him to do it. This, however, is a case under very particular circumstances ; and the judgment was entered at the first term. We think, therefore, the judgment ought to stand as a security ; but that the defendant must be let into a trial, upon an issuable plea.
As to the making of affidavits of defence, under the statute, by another than the defendant, see Bright. Dig. 1964.