Emerson v. King

This case was brought as a bill in equity seeking specific performance of an option to acquire real estate. The property in question is a farmer’s cottage plus ten vacant acres overlooking the Sandwich range in Sandwich, New Hampshire, originally part of the plaintiff’s homestead. In the fall of 1952, the plaintiff, Denley W. Emerson, was approached by Miss Marjorie Thompson and her close friend, Miss Ida Pritchett, residents of Haverford, Pennsylvania. Both women were retired and unmarried, without family, dependents, or close relatives. They informed the plaintiff that they wished to buy…