82 Ga. 153 | Ga. | 1888
Harris, a tenant or cropper of Robson, trustee, died. His widow applied for a year’s support, under section 2571 of the code. The appraisers made and returned a schedule of the property set apart by them, which included a one-half interest in the crop produced that year (1887) on the premises. It seems Harris died before the crop matured, and perhaps before the work of cultivation was finished. Robson, as trustee, filed objections to the return of the appraisers, setting up title to the crop under a contract with Harris as his cropper, and urging a claim for supplies, etc. furnished to Harris and family. His objections were overruled by the ordinary, and he appealed.
Was Robson a competent witness to prove the execution of the contract, and that supplies were furnished under that contract.? Harris, the- other party to the contract, was dead, and hence to ■ permit Robson, the surviving party,' to testify in his own favor, would be to violate the statute. Code, §3854. It was said the estate of Harris would riot be affected, as his administrator was not a party to the cause on -trial. But his widow was a pai’ty, and she represented the estate in this litigation as fully as does an administrator in other cases. Her year’s allowance is put by statute on the footing of ■expenses of administration. Code, §2571, supra. Hpon an issue of title raised by Robson, she was before the court claiming the property in controversy as a part of the estate of her deceased husband, and if his estate would not be affected by the result, no case could arise in which it would be affected. In so far as the year’s support is concerned, she had all the rights and protection of an administrator, besides those ■ of a beneficial ownership in the fruits of the judgment.
The verdict was satisfactory to the presiding judge,, and we leave the responsibility for it where he did, upon the jury that rendered it. There was no error in refusing a new trial.
Judgment affirmed.