Hutchinson v. Stiles

Richardson, G, J.

delivered the opinion of the court.

It seems to have been well settled, at the common law, ⅛at debt or covenant might be maintained against an heir having assetts, when expressly bound by the deed of his ancestor. Willes 585, Dyke vs. Sweeling.—1 C hitt. Plead. 39.—Co. Litt. 209, a. —6 Mass. Rep. 151.—9 ditto 378.—2 C hitt. Plead. 161.—2 Sound. 7, note 4.—5 Went. Plead. 379.

And this principle is recognized by our statute of June 9, 1808, (1 N H. Laws 110,) which enacts, “ that the heirs, “ &c. of any person jointly bound, &c. by any bond, &c. may “ be charged by virtue of such bond, &c. in the same way “ and manner, as such heirs, &c. might have been charged, “ if such deceased person, bound or holden, as aforesaid, had “ been bound or holden severally afc well as jointly.”

In New-York, the heir is liable upon the contract of his ancestor, to the extent of the inheritance. 2 Cowen 569, Whitaker vs. Young.— 6 Johns. 59 .—13 Johns. 97.

In Massachusetts, the principle is adopted by statute with certain modifications. 12 Mass. Rep. 396 , Royco vs. Burrell.

*406 It. also seems to have been well settled, that when ⅜ lands of the obligor descended to his heir, who died seized of the same, the heir of the obligor’s heir was liable : (2 Saund. 7, note 4. —Croke Car. 151, Jenk's case. —Lilly's enfries, 147,) and that either the heir, or the administrator or executor, of the obligor might be sued. 3 Levintz 189, Davis vs. Churchman.

In Davy vs. Pepys, (Plowden 441,) a question was made, whether the heir of an heir could be charged. But it seems never to have been doubted, that, an action might be main-tamed against an executor or administrator of the heir. In RastalVs entries 171, the form of a declaration against the executor of an heir may be found. Plowden seems to have doubted, whether the heir of an heir was liable, because it had been settled, that the executor of the heir was liable.

But how far, and under what circumstances, an heir, having lands by descent, is liable on the covenant of his ancestor, has not, to our knowledge, been settled in this state. Indeed, we are not awrare, that any attempt has ever been made among us to charge an heir, in such a case. We are, therefore, now, for the first time, to settle, how far the principles of the common law on this subject are adapted to our situation and circumstances.

In the case now before us it appears, that Caleb Jones, who made the covenant, on which this action is founded, died in 1805 ; that his estate was immediately placed under She administration of Zadock Jones ; and that the covenant, mentioned in the plaintiff’s declaration, ivas broken in the same year. And the question is, whether an heir is liable, in I his state, on the covenant of his ancestor in cases, where a remedy might have been had against the executor or administrator of the ancestor.

It is very obvious, that, wdiile the executor or administrator is liable, an action against the heir is altogether unnecessary. All the estate, both real and personal, is by law liable, in the hands of executors, and administrators, to pay all debts. This is an ample remedy. It is for this reason, that *407 the attempt has rarely, if ever, been before made in this state to charge an heir.

And there are very serious objections against sustaining an action against an heir, so long as the executor or administrator is liable. In an action against an heir, it is well known, that he may plead in such a manner, as to compel the plaintiff to take the land descended. But if, after the plaintiff had taken the land, the estate of the ancestor should be found to be insolvent, it is very clear, that it would be the duty of .the executor or administrator of the ancestor to sell all the real estate ; by which the remedy against the heir would be altogether defeated. The principle of holding the heir liable, before the administration of the ancestor’s estate is closed, may be, therefore, in some cases, in direct conflict with our statutes, which make all the estate of a person deceased liable to be distributed among his creditors.

And if, in an action against an heir, he should elect not to compel the plaintiff to take the land, but to pay the defat with his own money; still he could not hold the land, if wanted to pay the debts of the ancestor. A sale by the executor or administrator would defeat his title by descent; and he might not be able to hold the lands descended, after having been compelled to pay the debts of the ancestor by reason of the land descended. This would be unreasonable and unjust.

It is well settled, at the common law, that the heir is not liable, as tenant of the land descended, but as a debtor, in the debet and detinet. Plowden 441.—5 Coke 36, Walcutt’s case. —Cro. Eliz. 350.—1 Ventris 95. —1 Levintz 130, Goodwin vs. Newton. —2 Sound. 1, note 4.

Now to throw such a liability upon the heir, while his title to the land remains liable to be defeated by a sale made by an executor or administrator, for the purpose of paying claims against the estate of the ancestor, seems to us very absurd.

For these reasons, we are of opinion, that an heir cannot be held liable on the covenant of his ancestor, while a reme-edy remains, and may be had, against the executor or administrator of the ancestor.

And we are farther of opinion, that, when the covenant, of the ancestor is broken before the administration of his estate *408 js closed, and he, with whom the covenant was made, neg* lects to enforce his claim upon the estate, in the ordinary .course, against the executor or administrator, until all rem,edy against them is barred, and the estate distributed according to law, in such a case, the heir is not liable. We think, that the settlement of estates, in a due course of administration, is not to be disturbed, but in cases of strong necessity, , and when justice cannot be, and could not have been, obtained in any other way. The heir, in this state, cannot be held .liable, except in cases, where no other remedy could be had.

It is, therefore, the opinion of the court, that, if Zadock Jones were now alive, lie would not be liable as heir ; and of course, this suit cannot be maintained against the administrator of his estate. There must be Judgment for the defendant.