Muir v. Bartlett , 78 N.H. 313 ( 1916 )

The findings of the master do not authorize a decree for specific performance. He does not specifically find what the terms of the contract were in accordance with which the plaintiff moved into and occupied the deceased's premises. The most that is stated is, that he "induced" her to give up her home and business on Union street and set up a lodging house in his house on Harrison street, "under the promise of the gift of the same to her, where he could come to be taken care of by her whenever he should demand it." This finding is based upon casual remarks made by him as to the general effect of the contract, which it does not appear he attempted at any time to state concisely or fully. Her assent to his proposal as well as her obligation is left largely to inference and surmise. The contract as disclosed by the report is not clear, definite and complete. Pom. Cont: Spec. Perf. (2nd ed.) ss. 159-161. While she occupied the premises after the contract was made, for about two months or until his death, it is not found what the character of her possession was, whether she claimed a right of possession referable to the contract, or whether the contract itself even defined or specified when the conveyance should be made. If she occupied the premises claiming to be the fee simple owner under and in accordance with the contract, her possession might be said to be adverse and constitute a part performance of the contract. Emery v. Dana, 76 N.H. 483, 488. But her undefined occupation cannot have that effect.

If, however, it could be held that the master's report is sufficiently definite to show what the agreement was, there is not only no finding that the plaintiff will be defrauded if the contract is not carried out, but no facts are reported which sustain such a conclusion. Unless fraud would result from the non-performance of a parol contract to convey land, it is the established doctrine in this jurisdiction that equity will not decree specific performance. Stillings v. Stillings, 67 N.H. 584; White v. Poole,74 N.H. 71; Emery v. Dana, supra. For the services the plaintiff rendered in caring for the deceased no reason is apparent why she cannot recover compensation from his estate. So far as appears no substantial difficulty exists in estimating their value by a pecuniary standard. Ham v. Goodrich,33 N.H. 32; Weeks v. Lund, 69 N.H. 78, 82. The fact that the deceased believed from his acquaintanceship with the plaintiff and his knowledge of her faithfulness as a nurse that she would prove to be the most competant [competent] and satisfactory person he could secure for the performance of these services, does not show they could not be valued in money, but merely that he might have regarded them as especially valuable. Weeks v. Lund, supra, 83. There is little to indicate that the parties regarded the services she promised to render as incommensurable in money. No peculiar relationship of confidence or regard, such as might warrant a finding of that kind, is shown to have existed between the parties.

Nor did the plaintiff change "her plans for life" in consequence of the contract, within the reasonable meaning of that expression as used in White v. Poole, 74 N.H. 71, 73. What, if any, definite plans she had for her future support and comfort is not disclosed; hence it cannot be said that she made any special sacrifice on that account. It is true that in consequence of her arrangement with Mr. Bartlett she moved from her home in a rented house to his house in the same city, but did not give up her lodging house business or make any substantial change except that of moving and discontinuing a small mattress business she had carried on. In fact there is no evidence that at the time the contract was made she contemplated any radical change in her place of abode, her manner of life, or her means of support, or that she gave up, in consequence of the contract, any opportunity or prospect of improving her condition in life. She merely moved from one lodging house to another and did not in any material sense change her situation or mode of life, or sacrifice any prospective benefits which could be reasonably anticipated.

If, therefore, it is assumed in accordance with the plaintiff's claim that in consideration of her promise to move to Mr. Bartlett's house and perform for him the services of nurse, housekeeper, or attendant, he promised to convey the house to her when she entered upon the performance of her agreement, specific performance cannot be decreed in the absence of facts showing that she would be the victim of a fraud, if equitable relief is denied. The defendant's exception to the insufficiency of the facts to warrant a decree for the plaintiff is sustained. But as it is practically conceded that the administrator of the deceased's estate is not legally interested in the suit, since the estate is solvent, it was error for the master to refuse to permit the plaintiff to testify to facts occurring during the lifetime of the deceased in regard to which he might have testified if he had been alive, for the mere reason that the administrator did not elect to testify. P. S. c. 224, s. 16. At the time her testimony was offered, the bill so far as it related to the administrator had been properly dismissed. He was no longer even a nominal party in that capacity. The relief then sought was against him as the heir of the deceased and not as the administrator. Under such circumstances her testimony should have been received. The plaintiff's exception to its exclusion must be sustained. Crowley v. Crowley, 72 N.H. 241; Eagan v. Kenney, 75 N.H. 410. In view of this error the master's report must be set aside.

Whether the bill is demurrable in its present form need not be determined, since upon a new trial such amendments may be made as may seem to be necessary.

New trial granted.

All concurred.