Luscomb v. Ballard , 71 Mass. 403 ( 1855 )

Thomas, J.

The jury have found that the defendant neither caused, nor in any way assented to the employment of the plaintiff, for the services for which this suit is brought. He cannot therefore be charged de bonis propriis.

If not liable as of his own goods, has the estate in his hands been charged by the acts of Osborn, or the special administrator, so that there may be a judgment de bonis testatoris? We think not; but that the law is, that by a promise, the consideration of which arises after the death of the testator or intestate, the estate cannot be charged, but that the executor or administrator is personally liable on his contract. And whether the amount is to be repaid from the estate is a question for the court of probate, in the settlement of his account.

The old doctrine seems to have been, that, upon any promise made after the death of the testator or intestate, the executor or administrator was chargeable, if at all, as of his own goods, and not in his representative capacity. Trewinian v. Howell, Cro. Eliz. 91. Hawkes v. Saunders, Cowp. 289. Jennings v. Newman, 4 T. R. 348. Brigden v. Parkes, 2 Bos. & Pul. 424.

The more recent authorities, however, have settled that an executor may, in some cases, be sued in his representative capacity on a promise made by him as executor; and a judgment had de bonis testatoris. But it will be found that, in these cases, that which constituted the consideration of the promise or the cause of action arose in the lifetime of the testator. Dowse v. Coxe, 3 Bing. 26. Powell v. Graham, 7 Taunt. 581. Ashby v. Ashby, 7 B. & C. 444. And an action for goods sold and delivered to one as executor, or for work done for one as executor, charges the defendant personally, and not in his representative character. Corner v. Shew, 3 M. & W. 350. See also Forster v. Fuller, 6 Mass. 58; Sumner v. Williams, 8 Mass. 162; Davis v. French, 20 Maine, 21; Myer v. Cole, 12 Johns. 349.

In this commonwealth, an exception is made in the case of funeral expenses of the deceased. For these, the executor or administrator may be charged in his representative character, and judgment be rendered de bonis testatoris. But the case stands on its peculiar ground, and is to be limited to it. Hapgood v. Houghton, 10 Pick. 154.

The modern English doctrine on this point is, that if the executor or administrator gives orders for the funeral, or ratifies or adopts the acts of another party who has given orders, he makes himself liable personally, and not in his representative capacity. Brice v. Wilson, 8 Ad. & El. 349, note. Corner v Shew, 3 M. & W. 350. 2 Williams on Executors, 1522.

If the contract of Osborn, or of the special administrator, did not charge the estate, of course the defendant can in no form be liable.

In this view of the case, it is unnecessary to consider how far the contract of Osborn, who was named executor in the will, "but declined the trust, could bind the estate. If the executor could not so charge the estate, a fortiori one who never accepted the trust could not.

Exceptions sustained.