Opinion

Lewis v. Wood

  • 11 L.R.A. 143
  • 153 Mass. 321
  • 26 N.E. 862
  • 1891 Mass. LEXIS 274
Court
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Filed
Feb 26, 1891
Status
Published
Author
Morton
On the bench
Morton
Cited by
10 cases
Authority
More cited than 80.7%

The opinion

Morton, J.

Without considering all the objections that have been urged against the memorandum, it is sufficient to say that it is fatally defective in not containing the name of the purchaser, or any designation of him whatever. In order to satisfy the statute, the memorandum should not only have been signed by the defendant or her authorized agent, and have identified the property to be sold, but should also have contained the name of the other party to the contract, or should have described him with reasonable certainty. This was not done, and the memorandum is, therefore, insufficient. Browne on St. Frauds, (4th ed.) § 372. Benjamin on Sales, (4th Am. ed.) § 234. Champion v. Plummer, 1 B. & P. N. C. 252. Williams v. Lake, 2 El. & El. 349. Williams v. Byrnes, 1 Moore, P. C. (N. S.) 154. Vandenbergh v. Spooner, L. R. 1 Ex. 316. Fessenden v. Mussey, 11 Cush. 127 . Coddington v. Goddard, 16 Gray, 436 , 444. Lincoln v. Erie Preserving Co. 132 Mass. 129 . Grafton v. Cummings, 99 U. S. 100 . Nichols v. Johnson, 10 Conn. 192 . Sherburne v. Shaw, 1 N. H. 157. McGovern v. Hern, ante, 308. The ratio decidendi is that the language of the statute “ cannot be satisfied unless the existence of a bargain or contract appear evidenced in writing, and a bargain or contract cannot so appear unless the parties to it are specified, either nominally or by description, or reference.” Williams v. Byrnes, 1 Moore, P. C. (N. S.) 154,195.

Decree affirmed.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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