Goodridge's Heirs v. Fitch , 9 B. Mon. 562 ( 1849 )

Jddse Gkaiiam

delivered the opinion of the Court.

The complainants, who are the heirs and legal representatives of George C. Goodridge, deceased, have exhibited this bill against Joseph Fitch, the administrator de bonis non of the estate of said George C., for the pur - pose of procuring a settlement of his administration accounts, and mainly to have set aside and vacated a’sale of some real estate.

As the latter is the principal and most important subject of controversy, it will be first investigated. It appears that, after he became administrator de bonis non, he ascertained that the assets in his hands were insufficient to discharge the debts due by the intestate; and that it was, therefore, necessary that a portion of his real estate should be sold. By application to the Legislature, he procured an act to be passed authorizing a decree to be rendered in the Meade Circuit Court, for the sale of a tract of one hundred and fifty acres of land in Henry county, and of so much of the land in Meade as might be necessary.

A decree having been had in pursuance of that act,, the land in Henry county was sold, as it seems, for a full and fair price. The administrator alleged that this sale did not realize an amount large enough to satisfy all the demands against his intestate’s estate. He accordingly, on the 8th May, 1840, procured a further order or decree, to sell so much of a tract of 715 acres,, lying on the Ohio river in Meade county, “as, in his opinion, will be necessary to pay the balance of the debts of the estate; and that said commissioner, (Fitch) in making sale of said land, have a due regard to the interests of the heirs, and the balance of the tract, so as to-retain all possible value to the same.” He was directed to sell on a Court day, after advertisement, &c. on a credit of three months. This credit, by a subsequent order in August, 1840, was extended to three and six months. This order was made because of his report that, in attempting to sell under the first order,he was unable to obtain a bid, and desired to be permitted to sell at private sale, should an opportunity oiler.

At a subsequent term, he reported to the Court that, on the 5th October, 1840, he had, at public sale, on a Court day, at the Court-house, sold three hundred acres of the tract to John R. Goodridge, at the price of three dollars and fifty cents per acre. This sale was confirmed, notwithstanding objections to it, on the 12th November, 1846, and a commissioner appointed to convey to Collins Fitch, (the present defendant,) two hundred acres of the land bid off by John R. Goodridge, and to the said John R. the other one hundred acres.

An’ acfm’r. and guardian-for the heirs, who was appointed commissioner to sell real:estate to pay debts, purchased himself at an under value. — Held that the sale was iniquitous', and a re sale ordered.

In July, 1835, said Fitch had been, by the Meade County Court, appointed guardian for four of the infant heirs of George C. Goodridge, deceased. Pie was thus administrator do bonis non of the estate, guardian of the orphans, and commissioner to make sale of the estate. It further appeal's that, in December, 1840, Fitch sold the said two hundred acres to William Y. Rouse, at the price (partly in slaves,) of twelve hundred dollars. The complainants, charging a fraudulent combination by John R. Goodridge and Fitch, to purchase the land in part, at least, for the benefit of .Fitch, and at a price much less than its value, and much, less than it could and would have been sold for to others, if the sale had been properly conducted, now insist that a decree be rendered, setting aside the sale of the one hundred acres to John R. Goodridge, and requiring Fitch to account for the difference between the price which he gave, and that which he obtained for the two hundred acres. The answer denies the material allegations.

The testimony in the cause substantially sustains the statements of the bill. Fitch was commissioner, executor and guardian. The land was sold for a price much below its value, and much short of the amount for which it would have sold, (as is proven by those who wished to buy,) if the sale had been fairly conducted. The purchase was.made by John R. Goodridge, mainly for the benefit of Fitch. Some persons present at the sale,, and who wished to buy, were deceived by statements of commissioner and purchaser, as to the part to be sold, and not wishing to purchase the inferior part, failed to bid, and more valuable land was actually conveyed, if not sold. It seems to this Court, that a decree should have been rendered against P'it.ch for the profits which he made in the sale of the land, that is, for the difference between the price which he gave, and the twelve hundred dollars for which he sold, and also a decree rescinding the sale and conveyance as to the one hundred acres to John R. Goodridge, and directing it tobe sold, first, to pay him the price which he gave fo-ir it, and the excess to complainants.

Grigsby for plaintiffs; Hardin and Walker for defendants.

It is urged, also, that there is error in settling the accounts of the executor. We have not thought it necessary to look very particularly into those exceptions. Some of them are apparently well taken. The Court should see whether improper allowances have been made to him for services and expenses, and whether he has been, as suggested, credited with costs of various suits in which he was successful, without charging him with the profits of said suits.

The decr’ee of the Circuit Court is reversed, and cause remanded, with directions for further proceedings and decree, not inconsistent with this opinion.