Case Name: Olcott and Caldwell, Administrators of Olcott, v. Graham and M'Lean, Administrators of Humphrey
Court: Connecticut Superior Court
Jurisdiction: Connecticut
Decision Date: 1787-03
Citations: 1 Kirby 246
Docket Number: 
Parties: Olcott and Caldwell, Administrators of Olcott, v. Graham and M’Lean, Administrators of Humphrey.
Judges: 
Reporter: Connecticut Reports
Volume: 1
Pages: 246–247

Head Matter:
Olcott and Caldwell, Administrators of Olcott, v. Graham and M’Lean, Administrators of Humphrey.
Plene administravit, not a good plea, according to the laws of this state.
EbeoR from tbe Court of Common Pleas. Olcott and Caldwell-brought their action, in capacity of administrators, against tbe defendants, in tbe same capacity, on a note, given by their intestate, to tbe plaintiffs’ intestate.—
Tbe defendants pleaded,
1. Full payment by tbe original promisor, to tbe original promisee.
2. Plene adnnnistravenmt.
The plaintiffs traversed tbe full payment, and gave no answer to tbe other part; — to which tbe defendants de* murred • — ■ And the replication of the plaintiffs was, by the Court of Common Pleas, adjudged insufficient.
Judgment of the common pleas reversed.

Opinion:
By the Court.
The allegation of full payment, in the defendants' plea in bar, was the only point that was sufficient (if true) to bar the action; and that being traversed by the plaintiffs, and the traverse not joined by the defendants, judgment ought to have been for the plaintiffs. An administrator, by the laws of this state, cannot discharge himself by pleading, that he has fully administered; for if the estate is insufficient to pay all the debts, he must represent it insolvent, and pay to each creditor his ratable part of the avails; unless any creditor shall be foreclosed, by neglecting to exhibit his claims, on due notice being given, agreeable to the statutes in such case provided; which is not alleged in this case.