Whitney v. Inhabitants of Stow
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Conteaot. The declaration alleged that the Inhabitants oi School District Number Five in the town of Stow made a promissory note, payable to the plaintiff or order, a copy of which was annexed; that the district had not paid the note; that the defendants had by statute become liable for all the debts of the district ; and that they owed the plaintiff the amount of the note.
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Conteaot. The declaration alleged that the Inhabitants oi School District Number Five in the town of Stow made a promissory note, payable to the plaintiff or order, a copy of which was annexed; that the district had not paid the note; that the defendants had by statute become liable for all the debts of the district ; and that they owed the plaintiff the amount of the note. The note declared on was as follows : “ Stow, March 17,1869. For value received, the inhabitants of District No. 5 in Stow promise to pay William H. Whitney or order the sum of twelve hundred dollars, on demand, with…
1Opinion of the CourtGray, J.
The school districts formerly existing in this Commonwealth were quasi corporations, of the same class as towns, vested with powers coextensive with the duties imposed upon them by law or usage, authorized to make such contracts as were reasonable and proper to carry out the purpose of their creation, and capable of suing and being sued thereon. They were expressly empowered by statute to raise money by taxation of the inhabitants; yet they were not obliged to resort to that means as often as they had need of money, but might, by votes passed at a meeting duly called for the purpose, borrow…
2Cases cited6 opinions
- Carpenter v. FarnsworthMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1871
- Inhabitants of Hampshire v. Inhabitants of FranklinMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1819
- Blanchard v. Inhabitants of BlackstoneMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1869
- Weymouth & Braintree Fire District v. County CommissionersMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1871
- Sherman v. TorreyMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1868
1 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by17 opinions
- Town of Burlington v. DunnMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1945
- Proprietors of Mount Hope Cemetery v. City of BostonMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1893
- Stone v. City of CharlestownMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1873
- Donohue v. City of NewburyportMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1912
- Inhabitants of Agawam v. County of HampdenMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1881
12 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.