Case Name: BROTHERTON v. MART
Court: Supreme Court of California
Jurisdiction: California
Decision Date: 1856
Citations: 6 Cal. 488
Docket Number: 
Parties: BROTHERTON v. MART.
Judges: 
Reporter: California Reports
Volume: 6
Pages: 488–489

Head Matter:
BROTHERTON v. MART.
Where an original instrument, proved to be lost, has been recorded, it is error to admit parol evidence of its contents, unless the failure to produce the record is accounted for.
Appeal from the District Court of the Twelfth Judicial District.
This was an action of ejectment to recover possession of a town lot in the city of San Francisco:
On the trial, the plaintiff proved the loss of the original deed or grant of the lot made to plaintiff and A. A. Green, on their purchase of the lot at the first town sale in 1849. Plaintiff also proved that the deed was recorded, shortly after the purchase, in the Alcalde’s office.
Upon this proof plaintiff offered to prove the contents of the deed, which was objected to by defendant. The objection was overruled and the plaintiff proved the contents of the deed, the defendant excepting. Judgment was entered in the court below in favor of plaintiff. Defendant moved for a new trial, which was overruled, and defendant appealed.
D. W. Perley for Appellant.
E. A. Lawrence for Respondent.

Opinion:
The opinion of the Court was delivered Mr. Justice Terry.
Mr. Chief Justice Murray concurred.
The plaintiff having shown that his lost grant had been recorded, it was error to admit parol evidence of its contents, unless the failure to produce the record was accounted for.
Judgment reversed and cause remanded.