Legal Opinion

Henniker v. Wyman

Supreme Court of New Hampshire

Decided March 5, 1879PublishedCited by 1 opinion

Debt, by a town, against sureties on the official bond of Cogswell, formerly town treasurer. Facts found by a referee. Cogswell’s account having been examined by him, and his successor, Barnes, there was found due the town a balance, for which Cogswell gave Barnes his note, which Barnes accepted as cash in full payment and discharge of the debt. This was done in the presence of a selectman of the town.

1Opinion of the CourtDoe, C. J.

The treasurer, Barnes, was authorized to receive the money due the town, but not to compel the town to accept himself as debtor, in place of bis predecessor, without receiving the money. If the selectman who was present assented to the act of Barnes, his assent was unauthorized. Horn v. Whittier, 6 N. H. 88, 94. The town has not ratified the settlement, and is not estopped to deny the authority of Barnes and the selectman.

Judgment for the plaintiff.

Foster, J., did not sit: the others concurred.

2Cited by1 opinion

  1. Strafford v. WelchSupreme Court of New Hampshire · 1879