Collins v. Heather

Headnote

Where, after a trial and verdict for rent due, judgment was entered and execution issued against the defendant, and the defendant moved to set aside the judgment and execution on the ground (disclosed for the first time) that she was a married woman.

Held, the evidence showing that her husband had been absent from the state a long time, and tending to show that she kept a boarding-house on her own account, that the motion be denied, with costs»

This was an action to recover rent. The defence was, surrender of the lease and payment. Upon the trial in March, 1862, before Mr. Justice James and a jury, a ver

diet was given for the plaintiff. Judgment was entered, and execution thereon was issued. A motion wag then made by the defendant to set aside the judgment and execution, on the ground that defendant was a married worgan when she hired the premises in question of the plaintiff, and still remained such; that she was not, therefore, personally liable for the rent, and that no action could be maintained or judgment given against her personally. The question of coverture was not raised at the trial, nor did the fact appear at any stage of the case prior to the motion. It was conceded that defendant’s husband was, and for a long time had been, absent from this state. The opposing affidavits tended to show that defendant was keeping a boarding-house on her own account, and had occupied the plaintiff’s said premises for that purpose.