Ambler v. Chapman

33 Ohio C.C. Dec. 664, 22 Ohio C.C. (n.s.) 458
Cuyahoga Circuit Court·Decided December 22, 1905·Published

Opinion

MARVIN, J.

Josephine Chapman brought her suit in the court of common pleas against H. L. Ambler, and his wife, designated in the petition as Mrs. H. L. Ambler, to recover for services as housemaid for the defendants from March 1, 1890, until March 1, 1899. No rate per week, per month, or per annum is stated in the petition, but the aggregate sum claimed is $2,064, with interest from March 1, 1899. The petition avers that this work was done at the special instance and request of Dr. and Mrs. Ambler, and that the services were reasonably worth the amount claimed.

The answer denies the allegations of the petition and also pleads the statute of limitations as to all of said claim arising [665] prior to February 25, 1898. This suit was begun on February 25,1904.

On the trial the facts shown were that Miss Chapman entered the Ambler family on February 16, 1885, under a written agreement then entered into or attempted to be entered into by Mrs. Ambler with an organization designated as “Baldwin Place Home for Little Wanderers,” located in the city of Boston in the state of Massachusetts. This contract reads as follows:

‘‘ Agreement.
“Stroeeord, Feb. 16, 1885.
“The undersigned agree to receive into my family Josephine Chapman, born in Cambridge Mass., Dec. 29, 1874, to be treated in all respects as a daughter; is to receive a good common school education, to attend church and Sunday School and tote cared for in sickness and in health. I will not dispose of the child in any way without the consent of the officers of the Baldwin Place Home eor Little Wanderers, located in the city of Boston, state of Masachusetts. If I do not wish to retain the child, I promise to return the same to the above-named institution, within three months from this date, at my own expense. Should circumstances arise which should make my home unsuited to the wants of the child, or on proof being brought forward that the child was not properly treated or cared for, I will surrender the child to the officers of the home on their requisition.
‘ ‘ In consideration that I can have the full and entire control of the above named child until of age, I cheerfully subscribe to the above conditions.
“Mrs. H. L. Ambler.
‘ ‘ Witness: Miss Anna Morrison. ’ ’

At the time this contract was entered into the Amblers resided in the state of New Hampshire. When this contract was entered into Josephine was about 10 years and 2 months old. She became of full age on December 29, 1892. From the time she went to live with the Amblers, as above stated, she continued to live with them until about March 1, 1899, a period of about seven years. She was supported by the family during all of that time, being furnished with food and clothing and home. No claim was made on the trial that recovery could be had for the time prior to six years before the beginning of the action.

[666] It will be noticed that under the contract Mrs. Ambler undertook to treat this girl as a member of her family; that she would give her a good common school education, have her attend church and Sunday School and be cared for in sickness and in health, and that she would treat her as a daughter.

The result of the trial was a verdict and judgment in favor of the plaintiff below in the sum of $275.60. Motion for new trial was made and overruled, and by proper proceedings the case is here on error. A bill of exceptions is filed showing all the proceedings in the court of common pleas.

The defendants below urge that the plaintiff was not entitled to recover for services rendered by her after becoming of full age unless there was an express contract between the parties that she should receive such wages. It was urged that the Amblers stood in loco parentis to this girl and that the well established rule that where a child after becoming of full age remains with the parents or with those standing in loco parentis and continues to live there with them in the same manner as such child lived with them while a minor, no recovery can be had for services on the one hand or for support on the other without an express contract to that effect.

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Ambler v. Chapman, 33 Ohio C.C. Dec. 664, 22 Ohio C.C. (n.s.) 458 (Ohio Super. Ct. 1905).

33 Ohio C.C. Dec. 664 (Ambler v. Chapman) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.