Davis v. Duffie

Smith Davis and Oliver Davis, and v. Cornelius R. Duffie, and

Davis v. Duffie, 8 Bosw. 617 (1861)

Court: The Superior Court of New York City · State Trial Courts
Decided: November 30, 1861
Judges: Bosworth, White, Woodruef
Citations: 8 Bosw. 617

Headnotes

1. Process for the commencement of an action against a convict in the State prison, may be served upon him in the prison. Although his right to sue is suspended, he may still be sued, and the suit prosecuted to judgment. 2. The statute providing for the appointment of trustees of the estates of debtors imprisoned for crimes, (2 Rev. Stat., 15,) does not make it necessary to have trustees of the estate of an imprisoned debtor appointed, in order to foreclose a mortgage upon his property. The appointment of trustees would not dispense with the necessity of making him. a party to the action of foreclosure. 3. The conviction, and sentence to the state prison, of a party defendant, pending the action against him, do not abate the action. Per Bosworth, Oh. J. 4. It seems, that the delivery of a summons to the Sheriff with intent that it shall be served, if in fact served within sixty days thereafter, is equivalent to the actual commencement of the action within the meaning of the statute of limitations, although the cause of action on which the action is . brought accrued before the enactment of the Code of Procedure.

Summary

This action was originally brought by Smith Davis and Brian Eeily, for the purpose of redeeming real property from, a mortgage and decree of foreclosure, which property the complaint alleged belonged to the plaintiff, Smith Davis, aud an interest in which he had conveyed to Eeily. Pending the action, on petition of Oliver Davis, and proof of a conveyance from Eeily to him, Oliver Davis was substituted for Eeily as a co-plaintiff with Smith Davis. The defendants were Cornelius B. Duffie, Jonas Conklin, Gerardus A. O. Van Beuren, John Erhardt, William V. Brady, Philip T. Smith, Alfred A. Valentine, Thaddeus Sherman, Jr., John W. Mitchell, Erastus 0. Benedict, executor of the last will and testament of Abner Benedict, deceased, Joseph M. Pendergast, Edgar M. Brown, John T. Wallace, Wm. M. Smith, Thaddeus Sherman, Sr., The East Elver Savings Institution and Frederick S. Schlesinger. The plaintiff, Smith Davis, being seised of the premises in controversy, on the 8th day of March, 1838, executed a mortgage thereon to Cornelius E. Duffie, one of the defendants; and having been subsequently convicted of the crime of forgery in the second degree, he was, on the 2d of September, 1839, sentenced to imprisonment in the State prison at Sing Sing for seven years, and was, on the same day, sent there, where he remained until September 2d, 1846, when his term expired. While so imprisoned, a suit was commenced by Duffie, before the Vice-Chancellor of the First Circuit, to foreclose such mortgage; in which action Smith Davis, his wife, and some judgment creditors, were parties. The subpoena was served personally on Smith Davis while in the prison, and on his keeper, on December 21st, 1839, and was made returnable the 23d of that month. No person appeared for him as solicitor or otherwise; a decree of foreclosure and sale of the mortgaged premises was entered by default, on December 10th, 1840, under which the same was sold at public auction by a Master in Chancery, to the said Cornelius E. Duffie, and a master’s deed therefor executed to him, May 29th, 1841. Duffie entered into possession, and he and his grantees, the other defendants herein, have been in possession thereof ever since. Smith Davis, after the expiration of his imprisonment, brought an action of ejectment against John Erhardt, one of the purchasers under Cornelius B. Duffie, for the recovery of the possession of the lot held by him; and in that action an opinion was delivered in the General Term of this Court in 1854, holding that the service of the subpoena on Smith Davis, while confined under sentence in State prison, was void and of no effect. This appears to have been the only question raised in that action, and the plaintiff prevailed. Other actions of ejectment were commenced by him against the defendants Conkling, Van Beuren and Mitchell, and these were tried before Mr. Justice Boswobth, who held that even if the foreclosure were void the defendants were in the position of mortgagees in possession after the conditions of the mortgage had been broken, and that the mortgagor could not maintain ejectment against them; and that the only remedy of the plaintiff, assuming the foreclosure to be void, would be an action to redeem the premises. These actions of ejectment were accordingly dismissed, without prejudice to the right of the plaintiff to bring such new action as he might be advised. The present action to redeem the premises from the mortgage was thereupon commenced. The facts in relation to the time and mode of commencing the action appear iff the opinion of the Court. The cause came before Hr. Justice Hoffman, at Special Term, several times, at different stages between March, 1859, and June, 1861, and his opinions so far as they relate to the questions raised upon the appeal, were to the effect that: First, Under the authority of the decision of the Court in Davis v. Hrhardt, the service of the subpoena upon the plaintiff, while confined in the State prison, must be treated as void; although the Chancery practice, both in England and here, was otherwise. (1 Hoffman’s Oh. Pr., 109; Phelps v. Phelps, 7 Paige, 150.) The decision in Davis v. Hrhardt, construing the provision of the Revised Statutes, (2 R. S., 15, article 2,) is however, express, that the service in the prison was void, and the decree of foreclosure a nullity, as to Davis. Second, The delivery of the summons and complaint in this suit to the Sheriff to be served, with an honest intention to have it served, was a commencement of the action, so as to save the statute of limitations. The cases of Webl) v. Pell, (1 Paige R., 564,) and Hayden v. Bucldin, (9 Paige R., 512,) are sufficient authorities, and removed my first impressions, which, as the case was not governed by the Code, were, that actual service was necessary. (See also, Pitch v. Smith, 10 Paige R., 9.) After a reference to state an account between the parties, judgment was accordingly ordered by Mr. Justice Hoffmajsi", allowing the plaintiffs to redeem from the defendants Duffie, Conklin, Van Beuren and Sherman; and from that judgment these defendants took the present appeal to the Court at General Term. I. The opinion of the General Term of this Court, delivered in 1854, in Smith Davis against John Erhardt, to the effect that the service of subpoena in State prison was void, ought not to be followed on this appeal. 1. It was had in irregular proceedings. 2. That case was evidently an amicable suit “got up” as a forerunner to forestall a deliberate decision of the controversy. 3. The decision was made under a misapprehension as to the case of O’Brien v. Hagan, (1 Duer, 664,) and without due consideration. 4. In similar actions which were defended in good faith, a judgment was rendered on the merits, in each, in favor of the defendants. 5. The Chancellor in Phelps v. Phelps, (7 Paige, 150,) had not only sustained the validity of a judgment of divorce obtained upon such service, but had refused to open a default or vacate the decree, and that decision had never been previously questioned. II. The subpoena was served according to the practice of the Court, and was effectual to confer jurisdiction to make the decree. (Hoffman’s Ch. Pr., 109 ; 1 Barb. Ch. Pr., 50, 51 ; Hinds’ Ch. Pr., 85 ; Johnson v. Johnson, Walker’s Ch. R., (Mich.,) 309 ; Phelps v. Phelps, 7 Paige, 150.) 1. Attainder or conviction, although it deprived the person attainted or convicted of the capacity to prosecute a “ civil right,” never was a bar to a personal action against him, nor did it affect his liability. (1 Chitty Crim. Law, 724 ; 1 Chitty on Cont., 184 ; 1 Chitty Pl, 481 ; Fost. Cr. L., 61, 63 ; Banyster v. Trussel, Cro. Eliz., 516 ; Viner Ab. “ Attainder” B, 3 ; Ramsay v. McDonald, 1 Wm. Bl, 30 ; S. C., 1 Wilson, 217 ; Dunham v. Drake, Coxe, (N. J.,) 315.) He might still appear by attorney and counsel. (Ramsay v. McDonald, (supra ;) Coppin v. Gunner, 2 Ld. Ray., 1573 ; Harvey v. Jacob, 1 Barn. & Ald., 159 ; Barrett v. Power, 25 Eng. L. and Eq. R., 524.) He cannot take advantage of his own wrong nor claim an immunity to which an honest citizen is not entitled. (Dunham v. Drake, Coxe, (N. J.,) 315.) The necessity and propriety of his being a party to a foreclosure suit is manifest from the fact that a reversal of his conviction would sweep from the record every consequence of a judgment against him. (Wambaugh v. Gates, 4 Seld., 138.) HI. The provisions of 2 R. S., 701, § 19, that sentence of imprisonment in the State prison for any term of years less than life, suspends all civil rights, does not interfere with the power of the Oourt to proceed against him. 1. It was merely “ declaratory.” (Rev. Notes, 3 R. S., 2 ed., 835.) It is his rights which are suspended. (2 Petersdorf Ab., 491, “ Attainder ;” Exparte Bullock, 14 Ves. J., 452 ; 2 Leach C. C., 966 ; Bullock v. Dodds, 2 Barn. & Ald., 258 ; Roberts v. Walker, 1 Russ & Myl., 752 ; Stokes v. Holden, 1 Keen, 145 ; Webster’s Dic., “ Civil.”) 2. He was not “ civilly dead.” (Platner v. Sherwood, 6 John. Ch. R., 120.) 3. Hor had he forfeited by his conviction any of his property. (2 R. S., 701, § 22.) 4. This statute does not interfere with any right of the honest citizen to prosecute the convict or his estate. IY. The provision of 2 R. S., 15, § 1, for the appointment of trustees of the estate of a debtor imprisoned, has no application to this case. 1. Such proceedings were merely intended for the preservation and administration of the debtor’s estate. 2. The statute is permissive, and not prohibitory. (Malcom v. Rogers, 5 Cow., 188 ; N. and C. Turnpike Co. v. Miller, 5 John. Ch., 101 ; Smithy. Lockwood, 13 Barb., 217.) 3. The remedy it furnishes is merely cumulative. (Almy v. Harris, 5 John., 175 ; Colden v. Eldred, 15 Id., 220 ; Farmers’ Turnpike Co. v. Coventry, 10 Id., 389.) 4. Until such appointment, the estate remained vested in the debtor, and he would be a necessary party, even if trustees had been appointed. (1 Daniels’ Ch. Pr., 256.) 5. Unless the mortgagee were also a creditor, a relative of the imprisoned debtor, or of his wife, he would, under the construction claimed, be without any remedy. (Culver v. Sisson, 3 Coms., 264 ; Murray v. Smith, 1 Duer, 412.) 6. This statute extends not only to persons convicted of felonies, (2 R. S., 702, § 30,) but also to those imprisoned in the penitentiary or county jail, for minor offenses. It is not confined to persons disqualified from suing, and evidently was not passed with any especial reference to such persons, but in aid of creditors and dependent relatives. 7. The construction claimed would be unconstitutional. (Wynehamer v. The People, 13 N. Y., 387, 394.) Y. If the foreclosure was ineffectual, the mortgage became forfeited by the breach of condition on the default to pay the semi-annual interest on the 8th day of September, 1839, or at least ten days thereafter. The mortgagor’s right of redemption, and remedy in equity to be relieved from the forfeiture, by a bill to redeem, then accrued. (Merritt v. Lambert, 7 Paige, 344 ; Post v. Arnot, 2 Denio, 344.) Against such an action, the ten years’ limitation of suits in equity, (2 R. S., 302, § 52,) was applicable. (Elwood v. Deifendorf, 5 Barb., 399.) But the plaintiff* being then imprisoned on a criminal charge for a less term, than his natural life, and the disability to sue continuing while he was so imprisoned, and until September 3d, 1846, (2 R. S., 302, § 53; Id., 297, § 24, subd. 3,) the ten years began to run from that day, and the statutory limitation became perfect on the' 2d September, 1856. I. The plaintiffs are estopped from claiming the land ; for, pending adverse possession of the land, Smith conveyed to Eeily all the lands, and Eeily reconveyed to Smith all except two lots, and pending the suit conveyed those two lots to Oliver Smith. Duffie, an innocent third person, may insist that the conveyance to Eeily was valid, and the one ~by him void; and plaintiff is estopped to controvert this. (3 Rev. Stat., 5th ed., 972 ; marg. 69, § 6 ; Id. 30, marg. 739, § 167.) II. The Statute of Limitations affords a good defense to Duffie; and his defense is the defense of all the defendants. III. It was fully settled by the Court of Errors, in Wilson v. Troup, 2 Cow., 195, that a conveyance, with full covenants, by a mortgagee in possession, of parcels of the mortgaged premises, is not an assignment pro tanto of the mortgage. IV. Duffie held by an adverse possession; and the plaintiffs in their complaint say that there was an adverse possession. Y. The plaintiffs have interests entirely separate from each other, and should sue separately. The covenants required by the decree are objectionable, and might give rise to a great number of law suits. The effect of declaring the foreclosure void is, to adjudge the title to be in the plaintiffs. No deed is therefore necessary from the defendant Duffie, and this part of the judgment should be modified, so as to require only a quit claim deed at the most. YI. The fee of the mortgaged premises is now, as always heretofore, in this country and in England, in the mortgagee and not in the mortgagor, and the mortgagor has only an equity, to be enforced in a Court of Equity and not at law. The Court therefore may refuse, under the circumstances, a redemption even within the ten years, and may annex conditions, such as the payment of other debts, not secured by mortgage, &c. - Within this principle the Court would be perfectly justified, in this case, in holding that the limitation for commencing this action expired before this action was commenced as against Duffie, and that the “ attempt ” to commence this action did not save it. This action is instituted solely on the theory of taking advantage of a mere technicality. The plaintiffs slept over their possible rights for more than ten years, and now ask the Court to help them out of their difficulty, by applying a rule of equity to enable them to enforce a most inequitable claim. YH. The defendants should have been allowed costs. I. The proceedings in the foreclosure are absolutely null and void. A person sentenced to the State prison for life is civilly dead; and. while in confinement in the State prison under sentence for a term of years, all his civil rights are suspended. (1 R. L., p. 411, §17 ; 2 R. S., p. 701, §§ 19, 20 ; O'Brien v. Hagan, 1 Duer, 664.) II. The mode of procedure in such cases is especially pointed out by statute. (2 R. S., p. 15, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ; 1 R. L., p. 164, §§ 29, 30.) III. The principal question involved was finally settled so far as this Court is concerned, at the General Term. IY. Thus plaintiffs’ rights are the same as if Smith Davis had not been made a party to the foreclosure. Y. Lapse of time cannot be successfully pleaded against the plaintiffs. 1. As equitable owner of the premises the statute of limitations would not commence to run against them until eviction. The plaintiffs are to be deemed still in possession under their deed. (Varick v. Edwards, 11 Paige, 290 ; Borst v. Boyd, 3 Sand. Ch. R., 501 ; Astor v. Miller, 2 Paige, 68.) 2. The defendant Sherman was a non-resident and appeared voluntarily. The plea does not, therefore, avail Mm. (Denny v. Smith, 18 N. Y. R., 567.) 3. As to the defendant Duffie, there was a dona fide attempt made to serve the summons by delivery to the Sheriff on the 28th day of August, 1856, which is equivalent to the commencement of an action. (2 R. S., 302 § 52 ; Code § 73.) 4. But the period of twenty years is to be taken as the limit in equity when applicable to any similar case at law. The distinction between legal and equitable actions is abolished in all civil actions, and there is concurrent jurisdiction in the Courts of Common Law and Courts of Equity. (2 R. S., p. 301, § 49 ; Code, § 69 ; 2 R. S., p. 293, § 5 ; Code, § 78.) At all events whether the statute be wholly inapplicable, or whether the limitation be twenty years or ten years, the action to redeem was commenced in time. (Webb v. Pell, 1 Paige, 564 ; Van Hook v. Whitlock, 3 Paige, 409 ; Hayden v. Bucklin, 9 Paige, 512 ; Fitch v. Smith, 10 Paige, 9.) VI. The conveyance by Smith Davis to Reily and the reconveyance by Reily to the plaintiff Oliver Davis are not in contravention of the statute against purchasing titles. (1 R. S., p. 739, § 147.) VII. The plaintiff being entitled to redeem, it is not, perhaps, a matter of vital importance to whom they pay the redemption money. The plaintiffs, however, acquiesce in the decision as to its distribution. The grantees of Duffie are undoubtedly proportionate assignees of the mortgage. His deeds carried his whole interest in the mortgage, and the rule of distribution in this case, as well as in cases of sale under foreclosure, to different purchasers, would be in the inverse order of their alienation according to the equitable rights of the different purchasers, as between themselves. (Guion v. Knapp, 6 Paige, 35 ; Gouverneur v. Lynch, 2 Paige, 300 ; Snyder v. Stafford, 11 Paige, 71.)

Syllabus and headnotes are prepared by the reporter or publisher, not the court, and are not part of the opinion.

Opinion of the Court — Bosworth

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By the Court—Bosworth, Ch. J,

The opinion in Davis v. Erhardt, that the decree of foreclosure in the chancery suit is void, seems to be based, in part, on the idea that 2 R. S., p. 15, (article second,) prescribes the remedy which Duffie should have pursued, and that such remedy is exclusive, and also partly on the idea that the fact that the civil rights of Davis were suspended at the time the subpoena was served on him, has a bearing upon the question of the validity of the decree. It states that this remedy “ should have been followed in order effectually to have divested the plaintiff of his equity of redemption.”

Article second of title one, chapter 5, part two of the Bevised Statutes, applies as well to a case where a debtor may be imprisoned in a county jail for a criminal offense, for any term more than one year, as to the ease in question ; and as well, therefore, to a debtor whose civil rights are not suspended, as to one whose civil rights are suspended.

If the decree of foreclosure in the chancery suit is void, it cannot be void for the reason that this article of the Bevised Statutes deprived Duffie of the right to foreclose his mortgage, and compelled him to obtain payment of it out of the proceeds of a sale to be made by the trustees as such. By 2 R. S., p. 43, § 7, sub. 7, and 2 R. S., p. 15, § 3, the trustees may either redeem a mortgage, or sell mortgaged property subject to the mortgage. Duffie’s mortgage lien was not impaired by Davis’ guilt or conviction. His right to foreclose was unaffected. And if trustees had been appointed, Davis would have been a necessary party, in order to conclude him personally by the decree. If the mortgage was foreclosed, although trustees had been appointed and made parties, Duffie would be entitled to a *627 decree against Davis personally, in case of a deficiency, for the amount of it. If Duffie could not procure a regular and valid decree to that effect, while Davis was in prison, then it will follow that his conviction not only -■ suspended his civil rights, hut it also suspended his creditors’ rights to obtain judgment in personam, against him.

For no such judgment can be obtained, except by service of process upon him, in such manner as to give a Court jurisdiction of his person.

Trustees could represent Davis only as to his estate, for the purpose of effecting a transfer of the title to his property, and paying his debts. They are not, ex officio, his attorneys to appear and answer suits brought against him, with a view to conclude him personally by the judgments that may be rendered therein, any further than to protect them in appropriating any of his estate that may be necessary to satisfy the debts, and to sell it to make satisfaction.

If these views are correct, then Davis v. Erhardt cannot have been correctly decided, on the ground that the mortgage could not be foreclosed, nor on the idea that service of a subpoena on Davis, while in prison, is void. It can only be upheld on the ground that no valid decree could be made unless trustees of the estate had been appointed and made parties as such, to represent the mortgaged property.

Under such a construction of the statute, the same necessity would exist, if the debtor was in a county jail on conviction of a criminal offense for which he had been sentenced to imprisonment for a longer term than one year. If such a construction is to be upheld, then the fact that the debtor’s civil rights are suspended, is not an element in the decision. And the proposition must be upheld, that a debtor imprisoned in a county jail for a term exceeding one year, cannot be divested of the title to his property by any action that may be brought against *628 him, unless trustees of his estate are first appointed, and they are parties to such action.

The statute in question was part of the Act of March 21, 1801, for “ relief against absconding and absent debtors.” (1 R. L., 157.) Section 29 of that Act provides “ that every person imprisoned in the State prison, other than persons adjudged to imprisonment for life, * * shall be deemed an absconding debtor within this Act,” and also provides for the appointment of trustees of his estate; and that any surplus left, after paying his debts, may be applied to the maintenance of his wife and children, as the Chancellor, or other officers named, shall from time to time allow.

In revising the statutes, this class of cases was provided for in a separate article of five sections. The Eevisers state, that section 29 of the Act of 1801, was enlarged “to embrace the case of persons in county jails or penitentiaries, who seem to be within its reason, and also allowing application by relatives.” The policy of the present law “ undoubtedly is, to have such estates taken care of under legal authority.” (3 R. S., p. 617, 2d ed.)

The five sections composing this article, except the alterations above noted, are in substance the same as § 29 of the Act of 1801. Ho effect is suggested as con tern- ° plated by the alterations made, other than is before stated.

If a mortgagor absconded who had not committed any crime, no one would contend that the statute of 1801, or the existing statute, would make it indispensable to appoint trustees, in order to collect the mortgage debt by a foreclosure of the mortgage. And under the Act of 1801, a person in the State prison was declared to be an absconding debtor, for the purpose of taking the proceedings authorized by it.

The statute as imperatively prescribes the proceedings which it authorizes, as the only remedy against an absconding debtor, as it does against an imprisoned debtor convicted for crime. And it is difficult to perceive in what way the present statute impairs or affects any right *629 of a mortgagee to foreclose the mortgage against such a debtor, without the appointment of trustees, which existed under the Act of 1801.

In Maddock’s Chancery Practice, (vol. 2, p. 200,) Hoffman’s, (vol. 1, p. 109,) and Barbour’s, (vol. 1, pp. 50, 51,) it is stated that service upon the keeper of a prison will be ordered to be good service upon a prisoner in his custody.

The Court of Chancery, in cases not provided for by statute, by settled practice or written rules, exercised the power of declaring what kind of service of a subpoena should be a substitute for personal service, when personal service could not be made, and give jurisdiction of the person.

And the Chancellor, in Phelps v. Phelps, ( 7 Paige, 150 ,) decided that service upon a convict in the State prison was regular, the decision being made on an appeal from the order of a Vice-Chancellor.

Davis was not only a proper but he was a necessary party to the foreclosure suit, and he was regularly served with the subpoena according to the settled practice of the Court of Chancery, and an express adjudication of the Chancellor upon the very point.

Chitty, in treating of the meaning and effect of attainder, says: “ That this situation of civiliter mortuus is never allowed to protect him from the claims of private individuals, or the necessities of public justice; so that, though he can bring no action against another, he may be sued and execution may be taken out against Mm.” (Chit. Cr. L., vol. 1, p. 725.)

See Ramsden v. Macdonald, ( 1 Wilson, 217 ;) Wright v. Simpson, (6 Vesey, 734, 735 ;) Foster’s C. L., 63, and the Chancellor’s opinion in Plainer v. Shenvood, (6 J. Ch. R., 130, 131,)

Harvey v. Jacob, (1 B. & Ald., 159,) and Barrett v. Power, (25 Eng. L. & Eq. R., 524,) show that an action may be prosecuted to judgment, notwithstanding the plaintiff therein may have been convicted of felony after it was *630 commenced. But it does not follow from those cases that it can he so prosecuted solely for his benefit, or that he has any right to bring an action while the term of his sentence is unexpired. (Bullock v. Dodds, 2 B. & Ald., 259-278 ; Bullock, ex parte, 14 Vesey, 465, 466 ; Roberts v. Walker, 1 Russ. & Mylne, 752.)

But the decisions are uniform, that although his right to prosecute an action is suspended and his property is forfeited, he may be sued and the suit against him may be prosecuted to judgment.

The grounds on which I think Davis v. Erhardt is erroneous, are: That article two of the Bevised Statutes, (supra,) does not prescribe an exclusive remedy for these cases, where it authorizes the appointment of trustees of an imprisoned debtor convicted of a criminal offense, (Malcom v. Rogers, 5 Cow., 188 ; Almy v. Harris, 5, J. R., 175,) nor make it essential to a regular and valid decree of foreclosure that trustees of the estate of the debtor should be appointed and made parties to the suit.

That service of the subpoena on Davis was regular, and the estate which he had before his conviction not having been divested by it, the decree, and a regular sale under it, transferred title to the purchaser.

That the statute which suspends his civil rights was passed for his punishment, and not to interpose any obstacle in the way of a creditor’s enforcing a specific lien on his property according to the usual practice of the Court.

If, while an action at law was pending against him, he had been convicted of a State prison offense, and had been in prison under his sentence when judgment was obtained, the judgment would be neither irregular nor void, and his real estate might be sold by virtue of an execution issued upon such judgment.

O'Brien v. Hagan, (1 Duer., 664,) to the effect that conviction and sentence of a plaintiff, abate his action, does not conflict with this view.

In Davis v. Erhardt, according to the opinion of Mr. Justice Campbell, it was decided that the decree of fore *631 closure was void, and that ejectment would lie at the suit of Davis, against Buffie’s grantees of the mortgaged premises. •

As a matter of judicial history relating to these proceedings, it may be observed that Davis subsequently brought ejectment suits against several if not all of such grantees, and judgment was given for the defendants on the ground that assuming the decree to be void, such an action would not lie. Those judgments were pronounced on the authority of Jackson v. Minkler et al., (10 J. R., 480 ;) Jackson v. Bowen, ( 7 Cow., 13 ,) and other cases. Those decisions were acquiesced in and the present action was subsequently brought. The history of Davis v. Erhardt, according to Justice Hoffmae’s researches, as stated in his opinions, shows that it was heard at a General Term, held in February, 1854, before Justices Dube, Campbell and Slossoe.

The fact that Judge Dube did not report the decision, I regard as evidence that he came to doubt its accuracy, and not that the omission resulted from his conviction that the decision was unimportant.

If the opinion delivered furnished any evidence that the ease had received that full consideration which these learned Judges were accustomed to bestow, and that their judgment was pronounced after having their attention directed to the views presented on this appeal, I should follow it, on the ground that one General Term should not overrule the decision of another for no other cause than a mere difference of opinion.

But I do not think it can be regarded as such a decision, and if thought to be clearly erroneous, it should not be followed.

The appellant’s Counsel, on the argument of this appeal, presented a certified copy of the minutes of the clerk, on the trial of Davis v. Erhardt, which states that the action was tried before Mr. Justice Campbell “without a Jury,” and “judgment.for the plaintiff by consent of the parties, subject to the opinion of the Court at General Term, and to be heard there in the first instance,” is the *632 clerk’s entry showing how the cause was disposed of at the trial.

The case in Davis v. Erhardt, before the General Term, concludes by stating, “ whereupon, the testimony being closed, and it being conceded by the Counsel of the respective parties, that they desired the Court to pass upon the question put in issue by the pleadings, whether the service of the subpoena in the foreclosure suit, upon the plaintiff, in prison under sentence for a term of years, was good and sufficient to divest him of his property, and to bar and forever foreclose his equity of redemption in the mortgaged premises, a verdict was taken for the plaintiff, subject to the opinion of the Court at General Term.” These papers were furnished, as certified copies of the affidavits in Harvey v. Jacob were furnished on the argument of Barrett v. Power, (25 Eng. L. and Eq., 525,) to show what the case was which was presented to the General Term in Davis v. Erhardt, and how it arose.

They indicate, though not by any means conclusively, that it was not so litigated as to secure that degree of attention which so important a question required. We think the decision should not be allowed to control us, and as we deem it clearly erroneous, a new trial must be granted.

If these views are correct, the questions raised by Duffle and Sherman, as to the statute of limitations, become immaterial. We have, nevertheless, examined those questions, and think that the decision of them presents no ground for reversing the judgment.

Davis’ term of imprisonment expired on the 2d of September, 1846, and he was then discharged. His disability to sue was then removed. On the 28th of August, 1856, he issued to the Sheriff of Hew York a summons in this action, directed to all the defendants, with the intent to have it served. The findings of fact do not state when it was served on either defendant.

The case states as facts, that the summons and complaint was served on the 28th of that month on Jonas Conklin; *633 on the 29th on G. A. 0. Yan Beuren; on the 10th of September, 1856, on O. E. Duffie; and‘that on the 12th of said September, T. Sherman, Jr., voluntarily appeared.

These are the only parties who have appealed. The plea of the statute of limitations as pleaded by Duffie and Sherman is, that the plaintiff’s cause of action accrued on the 9th of September, 1838, when he was free from imprisonment and disability, and that this suit was not commenced within ten years from that date. It is found that he was convicted on the 2d of September, 1839. The bond, the payment of which was secured by the mortgage, was dated the 8th of March, 1838, and was conditioned to pay $1,000 on or before the 8th of March, 1840, with interest semi-annually on the 8th days of September and March in each year, and also provided that if default be made in the payment of interest for ten days after it became payable, the principal should, at the option of Duffie, be due and payable immediately thereafter. He filed his bill to foreclose on the 13th of December, 1839. Giving full effect to his power of election, that is the earliest day that the principal can be said to have become due.

By 2 R. S., 301, § 52, it was enough to prevent the statute of limitations being a bar, that the bill was filed within ten years after the disability of Davis was removed; and followed by diligent efforts made in good faith to serve the subpoena.

When the complaint in this action was filed does not appear. But the case states that it was served on two of the defendants in August, 1856.

The just construction of section 73, [66] of the Oode, to the effect that “this title shall not extend to actions already commenced, or to cases where the right of action has already accrued,” is, -that the time for commencing such actions shall be regulated by pre-existing law, and not be affected by that title. But it does not mean that the provisions of that title as to what shall be the commencement of a suit, shall not apply. The Oode abolished *634 a capias ad respondendum, and a subpoena to appear and answer, and substituted the service of a summons, as a commencement of a suit, for the proceedings previously taken both at law and in equity to effect that result.

A compliance with section 99, [79,] is as effectual to commence an action, as the filing of a bill and issuing of a subpoena within the .ten years, followed with diligent efforts to serve the latter, were, under the Bevised Statutes. In the latter case, the statute would not be a bar, merely because the subpoena could not have been served until a few days after the ten years had expired.

If the decree in the foreclosure suit was utterly void, the judgment in this action should not be reversed, on the mere ground that the statute of limitations is a bar.

For other reasons already stated, the judgment must be reversed and a new trial granted, with costs to abide the event.

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Cited by 10 cases

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Relies on it most ⓘ

Bowles v. Habermann95 N.Y. 246 (1884)
Green v. State160 Misc. 398 (1936)
Green v. State of New York14 N.E.2d 833 (N.Y. 1938)
In re Estate Nerac35 Cal. 392 (1868)
Green v. State251 A.D. 108 (1937)
White v. Underwood46 L.R.A. 706 (N.C. 1899)

Most recent

Green v. State of New York14 N.E.2d 833 (N.Y. 1938)
In re the Estate of Weber165 Misc. 815 (N.Y. Sur. Ct. 1938)
Green v. State251 A.D. 108 (1937)
Green v. State160 Misc. 398 (1936)
Gray v. Gray79 S.W. 505 (Mo. Ct. App. 1904)
White v. Underwood46 L.R.A. 706 (N.C. 1899)

Citing references are not a citator: they show that a later opinion cites this case, not whether it followed, distinguished, or overruled it. Check negative history before relying on this case.

Authorities cited 4

Depth	Case	Cited by
	Jackson ex. dem. Merrit v. Bowen, 7 Cow. 13 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 1827)	48
	Malcom v. Rogers, 5 Cow. 188 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 1825)	25
	Phelps v. Phelps, 7 Paige Ch. 150 (1838)	9
	State ex rel. Attorney Gen. v. McCarty, 1 Wilson 205 (1872)	1

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