Wightman v. Coates
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Assumpsit on a promise to marry the plaintiff, and a breach thereof by refusal, and having married another woman. At the trial on the general issue, at the last November term, before Parker, C. J., the evidence of a promise resulted from sundry letters written to the plaintiff by the defendant, and from his attentions to her for a considerable length of time.
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Assumpsit on a promise to marry the plaintiff, and a breach thereof by refusal, and having married another woman. At the trial on the general issue, at the last November term, before Parker, C. J., the evidence of a promise resulted from sundry letters written to the plaintiff by the defendant, and from his attentions to her for a considerable length of time. It was objected by the defendant that, there being no direct evidence of an express promise, the action could not be maintained. This objection was overruled by the judge; and the jury were instructed that if, from the letters of the…
1Opinion of the CourtParker, C. J.
Respectable counsel having expressed doubts upon the point reserved in this case, and having also suggested an opinion that the action was of a nature to bo discountenanced rather than favored, we have given more *11consideration to the case than our impression of the merits of the objections would have required.
We can conceive of no more suitable ground of application to , the tribunals of justice for compensation, than that of a violated promise to enter into a contract, on the faithful performance of which the interest of all civilized countries so essentially depends When two parties, of…
2Cases cited1 opinion
- Boynton v. KelloggMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1807
3Cited by20 opinions
- Stratton v. DoleNebraska Supreme Court · 1895
- Homan v. . EarleNew York Court of Appeals · 1873
- Waters v. BristolSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1857
- Conway v. O'BrienMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1929
- Booren v. McWilliamsNorth Dakota Supreme Court · 1916
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