49 Ky. 81 | Ky. Ct. App. | 1849
delivered the opinion of the Court.
Moffitt, a judgment creditor of James M. Talbott, brought this suit to reach the estate of his debtor in the
Hawkins, in his answer to an amended bill, exhibits a written contract between himself and James Talbott, purporting to have been made a short time before the action at law was commenced by Moffitt, by which contract, Talbott sold to Hawkins all his interest in his grandfather’s estate, (which Plawkins states consisted of the aforesaid note,) in consideration, “the said Hawkins, is to give up to Talbott, notes he holds against him for upwards of $400, and is to pay a note to Curd for $75, and Hawkins is to board the said Talbott ten years, or so long as the said Talbott remains single and agrees in the family; if he leaves Hawkins, then Hawkins is not bound to pay any other boarding.” Hawkins is also to furnish Talbott in such clothes, as Hawkins, may think suitable, for five years.
Hawkins, it is true, sets up in his answer, that he has demands against Talbott beyond those named in the agreement. That being in writing, is the best evidence of the contract between the parties, but is not conclusive of the amount of indebtedness of Talbott to Hawkins. Be that as it may, the parol proof of payments or advances, &c., falls short even of the amount specified in the writing.
It is not necessary to advert particularly to the depositions in the cause. We think the defendant has shown by his own answer and exhibit, that the contract ought
Talbott. Certainly he should be decreed to pay the residue of his note and interest remaining due, after deducting the $600 paid to Hawkins; and Hawkins should be decreed to pay so much of the complainant’s debts, interest, and costs, as may remain due to him, after deducting the amount to be decreed against John G. Talbott.
This Court does not regard the settlement of Haw - kins, as guardian, which has been brought up by certeiarari, as entitled to any consideration in this case. Although that settlement may have been among the papers of the cause, it is not made an exhibit in any of the pleadings, nor is there the slightest allusion to it in any part of the record. If parties'desire to use such documents, it is their business to see to it, that they are so presented, or used, or referred to, in some way in
But for the reasons suggested in this opinion, the decree of the Circuit Courtis reversed, upon the original and cross-errors, and the cause remanded to that Court with directions to render a decree in conformity with this opinion.