Court Opinion

ID: 9623191
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 06:29:14.423733+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:05:26.272709
License: Public Domain

On Motion for Rehearing.
1. It is urged that the business operated under the name of *385Jacqueline Lea Studio was not a proprietorship of Mrs. Adams but was a partnership composed of Mrs. Adams and her daughter, Marylea. It is pointed out that in answer to some of the questions on the application for the Reward distributorship Mrs. Adams answered in the plural or editorial “we” rather than the singular “I.” For example, under “Remarks,” Mrs. Adams stated: “We moved into our studio July 1st, formal opening September 1st. We already have a full teaching schedule which includes many teachers in the area. Although much of our business has been strictly retail we feel confident of doing a good wholesale business because of. our location and also our desire to serve teachers and small studios in this area.” In answer to a question, “Do you ever travel on selling trips?” Mrs. Adams answered, “No, but we plan to do so.” In answer to another question Mrs. Adams stated that she had a teaching program with 7-10 teachers.
We are unable to hold as a matter of law that the “we” answers show a partnership between Mrs. Adams and Marylea. “We” could refer to the teachers, salesmen, etc., as well as to Mrs. Adams and Marylea as a partnership. Marylea’s name does not appear on the application. The business name is stated as “Jacqueline Lea Studio”; the owner’s name is stated as “Mrs. Jacqueline R. Adams (R. E.)”; the application is signed by “Jacqueline R. Adams (Mrs. R. E.).” Thus we cannot hold as a matter of law that the debt was that of a partnership. Wood v. Martin, 115 Ga. 147 (41 SE 490); Pope v. Jennings, 34 Ga. App. 496 (130 SE 348).
Even if there were a partnership, however, this fact does not preclude recovery against Mrs. Adams. Credit was advanced upon the strength of her application and her credit references, not those of a partnership. “The rule on this subject, as well settled, is this: if a credit is given to one member of a firm on his own security only, it does not become a partnership debt, although the partnership received the full benefit of the transaction.” Floyd v. Wallace, 31 Ga. 688, 693. Accord: Hill v. Wallace, 31 Ga. App. 72 (119 SE 468); Pope v. Jennings, 34 Ga. App. 496, supra; Wood v. Martin, 115 Ga. 147, supra; Citizens Nat. Bank v. Jennings, 35 Ga. App. 553 (134 SE 114); *386Taylor v. Swift & Co., 37 Ga. App. 108 (139 SE 121); West Lumber Co. v. Candler, 46 Ga. App. 408, 412 (167 SE 766).
2. The evidence is confusing and inconclusive as to whether plaintiff ever ceased dealing with defendant as an individual and began to deal with the corporation prior to October 28, 1966, when the new arrangements were made. All we hold in Division 4 is that there was some evidence to support a finding that Mrs. Adams continued to be liable on the account until that date, and that a finding is not demanded as a matter of law that the debts were corporate debts.
3. The written demand for payment of December 5, 1966, was a sufficient demand upon the defendant for payment. The special delivery letter was addressed to the business name and address given in the application for distributorship, and from which orders had been received and to which merchandise had been shipped.
4. It is complained that there was not sufficient evidence to show that the records which were admitted into evidence, and which the president of plaintiff corporation used to refresh her memory, were kept under her supervision, direction or control. However, the witness repeatedly testified as to these matters. For example, “Q. And I’ll ask you whether or not P-21 is kept in the usual and ordinary course of the business between the plaintiff and the defendant? A. Yes, sir. Q. I’ll ask you under whose supervision, direction, maintenance, and control P-21 is kept? A. Mine.” “Now in regard to each of these exhibits number three through twenty, inclusive, I would like to ask you are each of these kept and maintained and made in the regular course of. business of the plaintiff, Reward Ceramic Color Manufacturers, Inc.? A. Yes, sir. Q. I’ll ask you under whose supervision, direction, and control each of these exhibits number P-3 through P-20, inclusive, are kept? A. Mine. Q. And by whom are they maintained? A. Well, they are maintained by me.”

Judgment adhered to and motion for rehearing denied.