Francis v. Felmit, 20 N.C. 498, 3 Dev. & Bat. 498 (1839)

Dec. 1839 · Supreme Court of North Carolina

20 N.C. 498, 3 Dev. & Bat. 498

WILLIAM FRANCIS vs. OTHO H. FELMIT.

A contract made by an infant to work a certain specified time with a carpenter, upon the consideration of the latter’s boarding and clothing him, and learning him the trade, is not binding upon the infant, and he may, at any time, leave the service of the carpenter, provided he has not arrived at full age, and confirmed the contract.

If an infant have been furnished with necessaries while working with a mechanic, to learn his trade, upon an action of assumpsit brought against the infant for the value of the necessaries, it is a good defence under the plea of non-assumpsit that the defendant’s services in work and labour were equal to, or exceeded in value the necessaries furnished.

This was an action of Assumpsit, in which the plaintiff declared in two counts — 1st, for a breach of contract — 2ndly, for the value of instruction in the art and mystery of • " carpenter’s trade, and for a set of bench tools, and board and clothing furnished to the defendant. Pleas non-assumpsit and infancy. Rep] ication to the latter plea, that the instruction given, and the board, clothing &c. furnished were necessaries.

Dec. 1839

Upon the trial at Haywood, on the last circuit, before his. Honor Judge PeaRson, the plaintiff proved that he was a carpenter, and had made with the defendant the following agreement, to wit: 'the defendant was to work for the plaintiff, at the carpenter’s trade three years, and the plaintiff was to teach him the trade; to board him, and furnish him with $>90 worth of clothes during the time, and at the end of the time, was to give him a suit of clothes and a set of bench tools. He then proved that the defendant had worked for him but two years and four months of the time, and had refused to work the remaining eight months, and that the value of the defendant’s work for those eight months was at the rate of $25 per month, which he sought'to recover under the first count. The plaintiff proved further that during the two years and four months the defendant was with him, he had instructed the defendant in the carpenter’s trade, had boarded him, and furnished him with clothes to the value of $114, and a set of bench tools of the value of $15, which he sought to recover under the second count. The defendant proved, that at the time he made the contract, and set in to work with the plaintiff, he was between seventeen and eighteen years of age; that his parents lived in the county, and, though poor, were able and willing to furnish him with his board and clothing. He also proved that he was a stout, able bodied young man, and did much work while he was with the plaintiff.

His Honor charged the jury, that admitting the plaintiff’s evidence all to be true, he could not recover upon the first count, if the defendant, at the time he entered into the contract, and at the time he left the plaintiff’s employment, were under the age of twenty-one years. That m regard to the second count, it was true that infants could bind themselves for necessaries, as for board, clothes, and necessary instruc-auc^ ^ value °f the board and clothes furnished. and the instruction given by the plaintiff to the defendant:¡ exceeded the value of the latter’s services, the jury should find for the plaintiff, and allow him the excess; but if the evidence satisfied them that the defendant’s services were equal to, or exceeded in value, the board, clothes and instruction, the defendant would be entitled to their verdict. There was a- verdict and judgment for the defendant, and the plaintiff appealed.

No counsel appeared for either party in this Court.

Daniel, Judge.

The action is assumpsit. The defendant plead non-assumpsit and infancy. The first count is founded on a breach of a special agreement, entered into by the defendant, to work and labour for the plaintiff for the term of three years, for the consideration therein expressed. We think that the plea of infancy, was a good harto any recovery on this count. Contracts entered into by a person within the age of twenty one years, are not binding, unless they be for the supply of necessaries, or unless he has confirmed them after he has attained that age. The second count is on a quantum meruit, for necessaries furnished to the infant defendant. The plaintiff proved that he had furnished the defendant with necessaries. The defendant, under the plea of non-assumpsit, was permitted by the court to give in evidence, that he was an able bodied young man, and that he worked and laboured for the plaintiff, and in that way paid for the necessaries which had been furnished him. The Judge charged the jury, that if they were satisfied that the defendant’s services were equal to, or exceeded in value, the necessaries furnished, they would find for him. We see no error in the admission of the evidence or in the charge of the Judge. Under non-assumpsit, evidence of payment in work and labour, or in any other thing which shews that the demand had been ox equo et bono extinguished before the commencement of the action, is proper. The judgment must be affirmed.

Per Curiam. Judgment affirmed.