Crane v. Moses

1. Where a creditor obtained judgment against the executor of his debtor, and then instituted a creditor’s action, setting forth his judgment in the complaint, upon which an injunction was issued, and the answers did not deny the indebtedness, and the judgment was proved at the hearing— Held, that the claim was sufficiently established. This pase distinguished from Westfield v. Westfield, ante p. 482. 2. Executors who, after having duly advertised for creditors, and having no knowledge of outstanding debts, pay legacies more than two years after testator’s death, are not guilty of a devastavit. 3. Executors having no knowledge of a debt due by their testator, are not chargeable,with notice of such debt from papers in their possession as executors. 4. A creditor has no cause of complaint, if executors turn over pecuniary legacies to those who are entitled to hold for life only, upon the unsealed releases of the remaindermen. 5. A surety upon a bond conditioned to hold negroes upon certain trusts, cannot be charged with a balance due by the trustee, as stated in his returns on file in the proper office; the breach must be judicially declared in action against the principal, and upon this subject the surety has a right to be heard. 6. A trustee having received confederate money in June, 1863, deposited it upon interest with bankers of high standing, and entered the Confederate army soon afterwards and died in March, 1864, and the bankers failed soon after the war — Held, that the trustee was not liable for the loss. 7. A trustee having received money for the trust estate in 1860 and 1861, deposited it upon interest, with his individual funds, with bankers of high standing, and died in 1864, and the money was lost by the failure of the bankers after the war — Held, that he was not liable. McIveb, A. J., dissenting.

Before Hudson, J., Sumter, September, 1879. The questions brought up by this appeal relate to claims of creditors of the estate of one deceased. The nature of those claims are fully stated in the opinion of the court, it being proper to add only, that the moneys received by Phillips, as trustee for Bose B. Quinn, were as follows: $4681.54, in January, 1860, and $1254.95, in February, 1861; and that the remaindermen, in 1866, by a paper not under seal, directed the executors to turn over to Emily and Ellen Phillips, the moneys and other property left to those ladies for life by the will of N. Phillips, releasing the executors from all liability for so doing, and agreeing to look only to the life tenants for their interests in remainder. All other matters are fully stated in the Circuit decree, which is as follows: The plaintiffs obtained judgment against F. J. Moses and M. Moses, executors of the last will and testament of N. Phillips, deceased, on October 11th, 1871, for the sum of $1566.31 principal, besides interest and costs. Fi. fa. was issued on the said judgment (which was the result of a trial by jury and verdict rendered in regular term time), and lodged with the sheriff of Sumter county on October 19th, 1871. A certified copy of said judgment was duly lodged in the clerk’s office of Marion, and execution issued thereon. Levy was made on certain lands of the said N. Phillips, deceased, in the said county of Marion, but no sale was made thereof, by reason of some order restraining the sheriff, obtained in some manner not now made known to the court; but which must have been irregular, since it appears that no notice thereof was ever given to the plaintiffs or to the executors of Phillips, and no legal proceedings have ever been taken . on which said order could have been granted. The plaintiffs then filed the complaint in this action, and obtained an order of injunction in the usual form on March 12th, 1872, which order provided, in the third clause thereof, that all persons having any claims against the estate of the said N. Phillips do file and prove such claims under these proceedings. The executors were also called and required to account for their administration of the said estate, and suing creditors restrained from further proceedings, except under this case. On May 19th, 1873, an order was taken out in the cause, extending the time for creditors to prove their demands until January 1st, 1874. The judge of Probate of Sumter county was ordered to take and state the account of the executors, and the issues, both of law and fact, were referred to him. The defendants (executors of N. Phillips) were both upon the bench at that time, and no accounting was had. On January 18fch, 1877, an order was obtained in the said cause transferring the reference to the judge of Probate of Marion county, with the powers and duties of referee as above. The judge of Probate of Marion county undertook to assume the entire disposition of the subject matter of the suit, holding that the Court of Common Pleas for Sumter county was without jurisdiction over the cause; and in accordance with the view, he entertained a petition of one Richard Jordan against P. J. Moses and M. Moses (which petition was filed on January 9th, 1877,) ■for an account from the executors and sale of the real estate of the said N. Phillips, etc. On August 2d, 1877, the said judge of Probate, John Wilcox, filed his decree upon the petition of the said Richard Jordan, who styled himself trustee for the estate of Rose B. Quinn and Margaret McNeill. An appeal was then taken from this judgment to the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Marion, and on November 5th, 1877, the whole proceedings were set aside and quashed by the judgment of the Hon. A. J. Shaw, who held that the said Court of Probate had no jurisdiction over the subject matter, by reason of the pendency of this action in the Common Pleas for Sumter county; in which county both executors resided at the time this action was commenced. An appeal was taken from this judgment of Hon. A. J. Shaw, and he was sustained by the Supreme Court and his judgment confirmed. 10 8. G. 431. Thereupon the said John Wilcox, judge ■of Probate for Marion county, filed a copy of his judgment above referred to, as his report under the authority of the order of reference, made to him in this cause on January 18th, 1877, hereinbefore referred to. Counsel for plaintiffs and defendants in this cause both excepted to this report, and on March 30tb, 1878, his Honor, Judge Pressley, made his order in the cause, after hearing argument from all parties, whereby he rescinded all the former orders of reference in the cause, and ordered that neither the said report of the judge of'Probate of Marion county, nor any of the papers or testimony accompanying the same, be held as part of the proceedings in this cause; also referring the issues of law and fact in the cause to T. B. Fraser, Esq., who was also instructed to take and state the account of Montgomery Moses, as executor of N. Phillips, deceased — his co-executor, F. J. Moses, having died pending tins action. The Hon. T. B. Fraser having been elected judge before the reference was held, an order was made on January 15th, 1879, by his Honor, Judge Mackey, whereby he rescinded so much of the order made by his Honor, Judge Pressley, as appointed T. B. Fraser, Esq., referee, and all issues of law and fact in the cause were referred to Charles May-rant, Esq., master in equity for Sumter county, who held references — on September 8th, 1879, filed his report; and this cause came on to be heard before me on exceptions filed to the report of the said Charles Mayrant, Esq., master in equity for Sumter county. To the proper understanding of the issues involved, it may be proper to state a few facts, as collected from the evidence submitted. N. Phillips died March 4th, 1864. His executors named in his will were F. J. Moses and M. Moses. M. Moses seems to have acted mainly in the management of the estate. ■ Legal advertisement was made by the executors very soon after the death ofN. Phillips in 1864. None of the creditors now before the court gave notice of any claims. The plaintiffs obtained judgment against the executors October 11th, 1871. . As before stated, ^December 4th, 1871, they sold, by the sheriff of Sumter county, the law library and some parlor furniture under their execution, which brought a small sum. The plaintiffs commenced this action for the settlement of the estate on March 11th, 1872. C. C. Law had then brought suit on a note, said to have been lost, and which was made to one B. B. Fladger, and due ■on November 15th, 1863. No notice was given and no action taken on the claims said to be due to the estates of Bose B. Quinn :and Margaret MÍcNeill, until the year 1877. The plaintiffs, Crane, Boylston & Co., except to the report of the referee (master): First. Because the master has found, as matter of law, “ that the liability of Fairlee having been established and in no way ■discharged, by payment or otherwise, it subsisted against the ■surety, Phillips, at the time of his death, consequently against his executors as a specialty debt.” These words are quoted from the master’s report. In the testimony reported it is difficult to perceive how the master has reached the conclusion that the lia-'’ bility of Fairlee had been established and in no way discharged by payment or otherwise. In fact, there seemed to have been no ■evidence of any effort to collect the sums which are claimed to have been due by Fairlee, either from him or his estate, which, it is shown, has been under settlement in the court of equity for Marion county for a number of years past. Before the^estate of Phillips can be properly charged with the debt of Fairlee, it will be both proper and necessary that proof be made before the master that the liability of Fairlee existed at the date of the reference, and had not been paid or discharged, ■either in whole or in part, and this proof must be made by the party who brings forward the claim and seeks to establish it under these proceedings. It would be a proper part of such proof to show that the demand had been established against the •estate of the principal debtor, now in the course of settlement in the court of equity, and that no part of the same has been paid. The plaintiffs in this action have but one fund out of which they •can bo paid, to wit, the estate of Phillips; the creditors of Fair-lee, upon his trusteeship, have two or more fuuds — those of the principal debtor and those of his two sureties, severally. It is a well established rule of equity, that when one creditor has two or more funds out of which he can be paid, and the -other creditor has but one, the first shall proceed first to exhaust that fund upon which he alone has a claim, before proceeding .against the other, in which both are interested. In the absence of sufficient evidence as to this claim, I deem it best and safest to re-commit it to the master, with instructions to have further testimony taken upon it. The creditor plaintiffs, as well as the executor, who is before the court, insist that before the estate of' Phillips can be properly charged with a breach of the trust bond of Fairlee, there must have been an account had against the principal and a decree made against him. In Lining, Ordinary, v. Giles, 2 Tread, Const. B. 20, it is held that a surety to bond of administrator cannot be held liable until the administrator is cited and decree made. See, also, Ordinary v. Williams., 1 N. & MoO. 587 ; Ordinary v. Powers, 2 N. & MoC. 213 ; Anderson v. Maddook, 3 MoO. 237 ; PTarrington v. Oole, 3 MoO. 509. There is proof before the master that the estate of Fairlee is now before the court of equity, and that assets will come into the hands of his executors at the death of a Mrs. Shaffer, if there be none now; and there is no proof that this demand or claim has ever ever been rendered in as against his estate. For these reasons, so much of the report as is covered by the first exception of the plaintiffs must be referred back to the master for further testimony, and an additional report thereon. The second exception of the plaintiffs charges error, both of law and fact, in this, “ that the master has found as matter of law that the liability of Phillips, established by his own returns, has not been discharged, but that having retained the money, or deposited it along with his own, the question of imprudent or prudent investments or deposit does not pertain to the case, but that he was liable at the time of his death for the balance charged against him, as a specialty debt, consequently his executors, so far as they had assets, to the estates of McNeill and Quinn.” In (he report of the master just previous to the ruling above quoted, are to be found the following words : “ The only facts testified to by the defence, for the purpose of discharging Phillips from this indebtedness, are those of his investments in Confederate bonds and his deposit with Kirkpatrick.” “ It is shown by the affidavit of Kirkpatrick that a considerable amount of money ($8182.79) was at Phillips’ credit on July 1st, 1863, besides which he had invested $5000 in Confederate bonds. Indeed, I do not understand this to be disputed.” Then follows the conclusion to which exception has been taken, as stated above. It will thus be seen that in the opinion of the master, if a trustee retains money, or deposits it along with his own, no matter under what circumstances, no question of prudent or imprudent investment or deposit can be made. For example : if the master be coi’rect, a trustee who had received for his cestui que trust £1000 sterling, and at the same time had on hand £100 of ' his own money, and who deposited both funds in the Bank of England until a safe investment could be found, would be liable to his cestui que trust if the bank should fail, provided the two funds had not been separated in some manner. I cannot assent to this proposition to the extent to which it is carried by the master. Let us see what are the facts of the case at bar. And first, as to the estate of McNeill. There was but one fund collected for that estate by Phillips, the deceased trustee. That was the sum of $1800, received by him in Confederate currency, on June 20th, 1863. No blame is attached to him, either in evidence or argument, for having received that sum in the currency named. It is shown that on the next day he invested a large sum in bonds of the Confederate government • and that his cash book being in evidence, and his correctness of habits admitted, the sum so received must have been included in such investment, for the reason that he did not have sufficient for such purchase without including therein the sum collected for the estate of McNeill, as stated abcve. Nor did he draw from Kirkpatrick (who were his bankers) — and with whom he deposited all of his funds, whether his own or held by him as attorney or trustee — the sum to make such investment in Confederate bonds, or any part thereof. It is clear, that unless the sum of $1800 was so invested, it must have been retained in the currency in which it was received. If it was so held — if it had remained in his possession from June, 1863, until his death in the following spring of 1864 — he would not be liable to his cestui que trust for its subsequent loss, a reasonable time' being allowed him to invest. If invested in the bonds named, with no ear-mark or positive proof that such investment (if made) was for the use and benefit of the estate of McNeill, the law would have protected him from liability for the loss thereof. Now, as to the estate of Bose B. Quinn. In this estate Phillips received the bulk of the fund in the year 1860. It is shown by his cash book and by the account of J. & J. D. Kirkpatrick, his bankers, that the money was sent to them and deposited with them at Seven per cent, interest, subject to his check and in his own name; that it was not separated from his other deposits, but went to the general credit of his account. It is shown that for five years he had deposited all his own funds with those gentlemen, who were factors of the city of Charleston of high standing and credit, and that he had, in that period, had large sums of money in their hands. Was this deposit of these trust funds a breach of trust ? The law allowed him a reasonable time in which to make an investment. Where were the funds to remain in the meantime? It is a matter of public history that at that period all the banks of the state were in a condition of suspension of specie payments. After a year had passed, when the duty of the trustee to make a proper investment would have existed, the state was convulsed'by war, and no more prudent course was open to Phillips than to leave the fund in the place of deposit in which it. had been first lodged, until the return of peace might enable him to secure a safe investment. Before that time arrived he was dead, and the house in whose hands he had placed these funds survived that catastrophe which involved every bank in the state. The house of Kirkpatrick was a banking-house for the deceased, Phillips; they received deposits, allowed seven per cent, interest, and permitted checks to be drawn on them. It' is shown by the testimony of C. H. Simonton that they were in good credit up to 1868, when the executor c btained judgment against them. On March 11th, 1871, they took the benefit of the bankrupt act, and the debt was lost. It is also shown by the evidence that in 1863, Phillips was drafted into the second class of reserves of the Confederate army. That he made his will at that time, and that he required his bankers and factors to purchase for him $5000 of Confederate states bonds. That these bonds were found after his death among his personal assets. That this was about the sum that would be due to the estate of Bose B. Quinn. That the state and Confederate government had both made the purchase of these bonds legal on the part of the trustees. The true rule is, that in all cases in which the fiduciaiy relations exists, the law requires the exercise of bona Jides and discretion on the part of those who have the interest of others in their charge. Prudence and good faith are demanded; and where these appear, from all the circumstances of a case, equity will not enforce penalties upon those who have been unfortunate without fault. The rule that a trustee must not mix up the funds of his cestui que trust with his own, is one which arises from the custom of some fiduciaries to use trust funds for their own purposes; to speculate with them, to put them in their own business or trade, with a view to making profit therefrom. In all such cases, the trustee is held liable for the loss, if loss ensue. But it'by no means follows that a trustee who deposits his trust funds and his own in the same place of safe deposit, and does not withdraw or use the trust funds so deposited, or reap therefrom any gain, would be held liable for a loss which should result from no imprudence on his part, either in making the first deposit, or afterwards in not removing it, provided that his good faith is clear, and his prudence and discretion apparent. ■ Under the facts of this case, I am constrained to sustain the. exceptions of the plaintiffs to the ruling of the master, and to hold that the estate of Phillips is not liable for the loss of the funds of either the estate of McNeill or Bose B. Quinn. The true rule is, that a trustee is answerable only for losses resulting from acts or omissions, such as a prudent man could not do, or omit, in his own affairs. Taveauv. Ball, 1 McC. Gh. 464; Bryan v. Mulligan, 2 Hill’s Gh. 36 ; Glover v. Glover, McM. Eq. 153; O’Dell v. Yoimg, lb. 155; Roioth v. Howell, 3 Ves. 565; Powell v. Evans, 5 Ves. 839, show that a trustee or executor should manage funds committed to his care with the same care .and diligence that a prudent man would bestow on his own concerns. In the case of Bowth v. Howell it was held that the executor was justified in employing the customary • means of safely keeping funds in his hands, and the trust funds having been lost by the failure of the banker with whom they were deposited, the executor was free from responsibility, not having been charged or being chargeable with any want of due care. See also Boggs v. Adger, 4 Rich. Eq. 408. In Nance v. Nance, 1 S. G. 209, the court uses this language, referring to the fifth ground of appeal: “ This proposition is not distinctly stated, but amounts to a claim that the investment made by a trustee for the joint account of two wards, without distinguishing their several interest in the same, are for this reason to be disallowed. "We know of no principle from which such a conclusion can be deduced. If the estate has sustained a loss for any such reason, and that loss can be traced to culpable negligence on the part of the trustee, such a state of facts should be presented directly. It cannot be made out argumentatively in the absence of such a statement.” In Twiity v. Houser, 7 8. G. 164, effort was made to- charge the administrator with the loss of a fund, by him deposited in the Citizens’ Savings Bank branch at Orangeburg. The court held that he was not liable for such loss, and use the following language: “ To make the administrator liable for loss which followed from no fault on his part, would inflict on him • a punishment for not foreseeing what others, having better opportunities, failed to perceive in time to save them from a consequent loss. And again, the proper inquiry is, was the act of the administrator, under the circumstances^ induced by that reasonable care with which prudent men, looking to their own benefit, usually conduct their own business ?” In Fitzsimmons v. Fitzsimmons, 1 8. G. 413, the court say: “The sixth ground of appeal objects to the allowance of the credit to the defendant for a deposit in the Palmetto Savings Institution of the funds of the estate. This institution appears to have been in good standing until about the close of the war, when it became insolvent. It appears by the account stated by the master, that the administratrix was credited March 2d, 1860, with a check for the amount deposited in the savings institution.” The court disallowed the exception taken, and discharged the defendants from payment even of interest on the annual balances. The court say, on page 414: “ It does not appear that the administratrix received actual payment by way of interest on the savings deposit, and it must be assumed, as the case stands, that the interest was, from time to time, credited by the bank on account, and that the accumulations of interest have been lost, with the rest of the deposit, by the failure of the institution. The' complainant therefore is not entitled to the allowance of interest, forming the second ground of appeal.” In Mayer v. Mordeaai, 1 8. O. 394, the chief justice says: “ When a trustee is not limited or directed by the instrument under which he acts, and is left to the discretion of his own judgment, our cases hold, that his discretion must be exercised with the same care and diligence that a prudent man would bestow on his own concerns.” And again, on same page: “ The principle which is-to be extracted from the cases in this state consists with what is said in Jrlovenden on Frauds 486. “He is bound to manage-the property for the benefit of the eestui que trust with the care and diligence of a prudent man. What will constitute care and diligence thus exacted will depend on the attendant circumstances.” In West v. Cauthen, 9 8. C. 60, the court say: “ It appears that the executor converted the Confederate currency in his hands, belonging to the estate of his testator, into interest, bearing Confederate notes. The decision of this court in Hinton v. Kennedy, 3 8. G. 459, was in a case precisely parallel to the present, as it regards the claim under consideration. In accordance with that case, we must hold that the executor was-guilty of no breach of the trust on such a change of securities. It fully appears that the entire estate, subject to the payment of the legacy to Milly West, was lost through the depreciation of Confederate securities. As it is not made to appear that the executor was at fault in retaining in his hands such securities-down to the time when, by the course of public events, they became valueless, there is no ground for maintaining the complaint. The decrees of the Circuit Court and Probate Court must be set aside and the complaint dismissed.” Was the conduct of Phillips in sending the funds of the estate of Bose B. Quinn to his bankers, J. & J. D. Kirkpatrick, and placing them there on deposit, a prudent and proper act, under the circumstances surrounding him at the time ? I think it was,, nor can I perceive any breach of trust in his leaving them there • when the state of the country is taken into consideration, as it existed at the end of the year, which is allowed him, in which to •find investments. In accordance with these principles— Tt is adjudged and decreed that the estate of Phillips is not liable for the amount of $1800 received from Fairlee’s executors on June 20th, 1863, in Confederate currency for account of the ■estate of Margaret McNeill, and this conclusion is reached without reference to the question of investment in Confederate bonds, since the court is of opinion that if no such investment was made and the money was merely kept on hand, or left with Kirkpatrick and subsequently lost, in neither event has there been shown that want of care and prudence which would render the estate of Phillips liable to pay to the estate of McNeill such sum or any part thereof. It is further decreed that the estate of Phillips is not liable for the loss of the funds received by him for the estate of Pose B. Quinn — the deposit with J. & J. I). Kirkpatrick of said funds being regarded as the act of a prudent man, and certainly as no breach of trust; and the subsequent failure of the house ■of Kirkpatrick in 1871, was not in any way evidence of their not having been fully responsible in 1860, when such deposit was made. There is evidence that in 1863, Phillips was drafted in the reserves of the Confederate army; that he caused his bankers, J. & J. D. Kirkpatrick, to invest $5000 in Confederate •eight per cent, bonds, which bonds were found with his assets on hand after his death. It is contended on the part of the plaintiffs that these bonds represented the Pose B. Quinn estate. There is no positive proof that said bonds were purchased for the said estate. They were not marked in any way to designate such purpose. The similarity in the amount purchased and held to the amount due that estate, together with the fact that such investments were sanctioned by the law, are relied on as evidence to prove that they were so intended. It is also in evidence that Phillips did not invest his own funds in such bonds, as he had not much faith in them, and it is contended that this is another proof that the bonds held were as a protection to himself against the balance reported by him as being due said estate. It will not be necessary for me to decide this question, because I hold that as it is not denied that the funds of the estate of Quinn were remitted to and deposited with Kirkpatrick when received, the estate of Phillips is not liable for the loss thereof by the subsequent failure of Kirkpatrick, even if the funds were not invested in the bonds named; a fortiori said estate was not liable if so invested. The executor excepts to the report because, he says, that the master has erred in charging the said executor with the value of the law library and furniture sold by the sheriff, and also because the master has not given credit to the said executor for the sums paid by him to Ellen and Emily Phillips, legatees under the will of the testator. It is not denied that the executors duly advertised for creditorsj and that payments to the Misses Phillips were only made two years after the death of the testator. The authorities seem to be clear upon the duty of persons having demands upon an estate to make known such demands within the time allowed by the statute in which it is made the duty of executors to settle the estate. No exception is made in favor of minors, nor of other persons under disabilities. It is in evidence that none of the demands-now set up under these proceedings were put in suit or brought to the attention of the executors until after the payments of the legacies had been made, although Margaret McNeill, as heir of her deceased children, was fully able to have made her demands at any time from the death of Phillips. It is contended that whilst no actual notice of the demands now made was given to executors, the possession of certain books of deceased and of a bond which was due the estate of Rose B. Quinn, were sufficient constructive notice to the said executors-of the demands set up under these proceedings in favor of Rose B. Quinn’s estate and that of Margaret McNeill. It is stated positively by the executor that he had no notice of these-demands until 1876, ten years after the legacies had been paid by him. It is no where shown that the memorandum book or other evidences of those demands were known to the executors before the legacies were paid in 1866. The bond referred to bore no ear-mark of belonging to the estate of Quinn. It was assigned to N. Phillips, and nothing on its face showed that it belonged to any other person. It was in the hands of Dozier for suit, and was assigned to Jordan, trustee, after the present action was brought. Was it the duty of the executors to hunt up these claimants, or their duty to seek them ? Let us see what the act says, (5 Slat. at Large 111): “ That every executor or administrator shall give three weeks’ notice by advertisement in the state gazette, or at three different places of most public resort in the parish or county for creditors to render an account of their demands, and they shall be allowed twelve months to ascertain the debts due to and from the deceased, to be computed from the probate of the will or granting letters of administration; and creditors neglecting to give a statement of their debts within the time aforesaid, the executors or administrators shall not be liable to make good the same.” See, also, Sebring v. Keith, 2 LEU 340. An administrator, as against a creditor who has not rendered a statement of his debt within the time directed by law, is entitled to retain for his whole debt, if the assets are sufficient to pay all. ■See, also, Adam Walker v. Sam. Gill, Adm’r, 2 Bail. 105. A creditor having notice of the death of his debtor, and of the grant of administration, is bound to render a statement of his demand in twelve months, although the administrator may have neglected to advertise for creditors to render in a statement of their demands conformably to law. It is contended that because the records show that Phillips was appointed trustee of the estates, such was constructive notice to the executor of this indebtedness. The conclusion does not necessarily follow the premises. I am therefore brought to the conclusion that the executor is entitled to credit on his account for the sums paid to Ellen and Emily Phillips, legatees of the testator, and It is ordered and adjudged that the account of the executors be remanded to the master; that he allow credit thereon for the legacies paid to the aforesaid legatees; and that the value of the law library and furniture be stricken from the accounts, as I am of the opinion that the executor is not responsible for the low price which they brought at a public sale by sheriff under execution. The claimant Jordan also excepts to the report of the master, because he has allowed the claim of the plaintiffs, without their ■oath being attached thereto. And, also, because he has allowed the claim of M. Iseman, when, as he insists, the proof before the master was that the claim was paid, or, if not paid, that the statute of limitations would apply thereto and bar the same. These questions were not seriously urged at the argument, as they seemed to be regarded as of minor importance. With reference to the claim of the plaintiffs, it would seem that if they had not a demand against the estate of Phillips, these entire proceedings would have to-be dismissed, as the plaintiffs would be without right of action, since their status would be taken away, for this action is one which they only can take, being creditors of the estate which the complaint is filed to settle. Without doubt the defendant executor would cheerfully accede to this view, and the whole proceedings 'would fall through. The plaintiffs set up in their complaint the judgment against the executor, and exhibit to the master the verdict of a jury in the case, followed by their judgment and the writ of execution, which shows the amount now due to the plaintiffs. In the opinion of the court the record of the judgment was proof of the debt, and the execution of the sum due. The ease may be different if the judgment was against the testator, for such judgment might have been paid or satisfied, in whole or in part, without ■such payment being known to the parties in this cause. In the case at bar, if the demand of the plaintiffs was disputed, the defendants could have denied it in their answer, and had their day to disprove it in court. I am of the opinion that the judgment against the executors established the debt. See Van Wyclc v. Norris, 6 S. G. 305. As the whole matter must be referred back to the master, the plaintiffs may, if they deem it proper, supplement the proof of their judgment by the filing of an affidavit, showing the amount now due and unpaid on their judgment. With reference to the small claim of Iseman, I find no proof made before the master' and referred to by him. But such proof must have appeared, because the master reports in favor of the ■claim. I will therefore refer this claim back to the master’, with instructions to report the proof made upon it, and with leave to claimant to supplement such proof with any that he may be advised is necessary thereto. The creditor, Richard Jordan, trustee of Rose B. Quinn and Margaret McNeil, and administrator and guardian of children of Mrs. McNeill, appealed upon the grounds considered by the court.