Stearns v. First Parish
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Bill in equity, dated August 6, 1833, stating, that m January, L796, the plaintiff was settled for life as a minister of the Gospel in Bedford (there being then but one parish in the town), in consideration of an annual salary of $333 and twenty cords of fire wood ; that from that time until the 27th of April, 1833, he faithfully performed the duties of a minister in the parish ; that in 1801, upon his application for an increase of his salary, the parish proposed to raise…
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Bill in equity, dated August 6, 1833, stating, that m January, L796, the plaintiff was settled for life as a minister of the Gospel in Bedford (there being then but one parish in the town), in consideration of an annual salary of $333 and twenty cords of fire wood ; that from that time until the 27th of April, 1833, he faithfully performed the duties of a minister in the parish ; that in 1801, upon his application for an increase of his salary, the parish proposed to raise it, and to lend him 1000 dollars without interest during the time he should supply the pulpit, he giving security to…
1Opinion of the Court
Morton J.
delivered the opinion of the Court. This bill is founded upon the statute of 1817, c. 87, which gives to this Court jurisdiction in “ all cases of contract in writing, where a party claims the specific performance of the same, and in which there may not be a plain, adequate and complete remedy at law.” The plaintiff alleges that he had for many years been the settled minister of the defendant parish ; that differences of opinion and controversies had arisen between them, and questions existed concerning the continuance or dissolution of that relation; that the parties agreed to…
2Cases cited1 opinion
- Cochran v. Inhabitants of CamdenMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1818