Hudson v. Hudson, 1 N.C. 214, 1 Mart. 214 (1793)

1793 · United States Circuit Court for the District of North Carolina

1 N.C. 214, 1 Mart. 214

*Hudson vs. Hudson.

Mich. 3 Car.

HUDSON brought an action in the nature of trover and conversion, as executor of Hudson against Hudson, and declared that Hudson, the testator, was possessed and made his will, appointing the plaintiff his executor, and after his death, the goods came to the hands of the defendant, who converted them. Non culp. was pleaded, and there was a verdict for the plaintiff. It was now moved in arrest of judgment, that no possession is alledged in the plaintiff, and no trover supposed omnino by the defendant, except ut supra, and it is not said that the goods came to the defendant’s hands by finding. It was argued that the possession of the testator was surplusage, as well as the plaintiff's naming himself executor, when the goods came to the defendant’s hands, after the testator’s death: as was adjudged this term in Worfield’s case, postea, p. 220, where a man brought trover and conversion, naming himself executor; and it was adjudged upon a non-suit, that he should pay costs; for the conversion was after the death of the testator, and, the naming himself executor was surplusage; which was allowed, per totam curiam. Nevertheless, judgment was given for the plaintiff, because, although he has not alledged that he was possessed actually, yet on the matter expressed in the declaration, the law implies as much. For the property draws of itself the possession of the goods, whereupon. he may have tresspass. As if one in London, gives me his goods in York, and another takes them, I may have tresspas. And as to this part of the declaration, the verdict has found it so. Although there was no trover alledged, there was judgment, pro quærente. 7 E. 3. 11. 12. 8 E. 3, 32.