Dickerson v. Gordon — 1 Silv. Sup. 378

Majority

p. 378

Charles Dickerson, Appellant, v. Milton Gordon, Respondent.

N. Y. Supreme Court, Second Department, General Term,

May 13, 1889.

Headnote

Contract. Infancy.—Upon the disaffirmance by an infant of a saleof property, it is prima facie his duty to return the consideration he has received, where it does not appear that the contract was not a beneficial one for the infant, nor that his infacy was known to the other party, nor that it was not in his power to return the consideration ; and the infant is liable in replevin where he borrows, and refuses on demand to return, the property.

Action against an infant, by his guardian ad litem, for the possession of personal property and damages for its detention.

The defendant, who was an infant, sold and delivered to plaintiff a horse, wagon and harness, for the sum of thirty-three dollars. He afterwards borrowed the horse and harness of plaintiff, and refused to surrender them to plaintiff ■on demand. Prior to the loan, plaintiff had paid twenty-three dollars of the purchase price, and at the time of making the demand, offered to pay the balance, which was refused.

An action was thereupon brought in justice’s court to recover the articles, and judgment was recovered by plaintiff.

The defendant appealed from this judgment to the county court, and procured a reversal, and from this judgment of reversal the plaintiff appeals.

Timothy M. Griffing, for appellant.

Payne & Benjamin, for respondent.

—Upon disaffirmance by an infant of a contract, it is prima facie his duty to return the consideration

p. 379

he has received. To hold otherwise would make infancy ■“ not a shield, but a sword.”

In Green v. Green ( 69 N. Y. 553 ), it affirmatively appeared that the consideration money had been wasted, and the infant had no other property with which to repay.

Under the peculiar circumstances of that case, among which were the fact that the parties were father and son, iand the infancy known to exist, it was held that the return ■of the consideration was not required to enable the infant to recover his land. But the court were careful to state that they did not intend to extend the rule beyond the facts then before the court.

We do not regard that case as sustaining the decision below. Here, it does not appear that the contract was not a beneficial one to the infant, nor that his infancy was known to the other party, nor that it was not in his power to return the consideration.

The property sold was perishable in its nature, as compared to land; and if the infant had not use for it, the sale, apparently,-was for his benefit.

Upon the facts shown, we think the judgment rendered before the justice of the peace was right.

Judgment of county court reversed, with costs.

All concur.

Cases cited

Green v. Green 69 N. Y. 553 N.Y. 1877-05-22 p. 379