Court Opinion

ID: 7283169
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-25 20:21:48.99855+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:19:04.744035
License: Public Domain

The Master.
The bill in this case was filed to procure the' specific execution of a contract alleged to have been entered into by the defendants, together with other persons, under their hands and seals, to convey to the complainants certain lands in which the wife of Robert Morris had- an estate, by devise, or descent, from her father. The complainants allege performance of the contract on their part, and also by all the other parties to the contract expept the defendants. They, the defendants, have demurred, to the hill, and rely especially bn this ground, that Sarah Morris, the defendant, has not acknowledged on a private examination, *67apart from her husband, before a competent officer, that she signed, sealed and delivered the said agreement freely, &c.
This ground of demurrer, so far as respects Sarah Morris, appears to be well taken, aud should therefore be allowed. “ The agreement of a feme covert, with the assent of her husband, for the sale of her real estate, is absolutely void at law, and the courts of equity never enforce such a contract against her:" 2 Kent's Com. 141 ; 5 Day, 496 ; 6 Wendell, 13 ; 2 Jacob and Walker, 412 ; 12 Mad. Chan. Rep. 261. And wore this not the case, married women would derive but little protection from our act of assembly : Rev. Laws, 458, sec. 4.
But for aught that appears, the complainants have an equitable claim on the husband, and therefore be-should answer; and, as respects him, the demurrer should be overruled.
A question was raised by the counsel for the complainants, in relation to the effect of the husband and wife having joined in ■a demurrer which is not .good as to both. It is suggested -that, in such case, it is bad as to both; and that, under such circumstances, they should not have joined, but that she should have .put in her demurrer by her next friend. But I can see no good reason why the demurrer may not be overruled as to the husband, and sustained as to the wife ; and such was the decision -in the case of the Mayor, &c. of London v. Levy, 8 Vesey, jun. 404.
If the complainants should see cause to amend their bill, in >this stage of the proceedings, they should be at liberty to-do so -on payment of costs.
Order accordingly.