Scott v. Johnson

52 Tenn. 614, 5 Heisk. 614, 1871 Tenn. LEXIS 293
CourtTennessee Supreme Court
DecidedJune 26, 1871
StatusPublished
Cited by4 cases

This text of 52 Tenn. 614 (Scott v. Johnson) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Tennessee Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Scott v. Johnson, 52 Tenn. 614, 5 Heisk. 614, 1871 Tenn. LEXIS 293 (Tenn. 1871).

Opinions

Eeaderick, J.,

delivered the opinion of the Court.

Complainant filed her bill against defendants, in the Chancery Court of Memphis, on the 6th April, 1866.

The object of the bill is to rescind the sale of fifty acres of land, near Memphis, which was conveyed by deed by complainant to the defendant, Lizzie F., and to obtain compensation for certain personal property sold at the same time for $800.

The land was sold for $25,000 — $15,000 of which were, by the terms of the contract, to be paid at the time of the execution of the deed in cash; and for the remainder, $10,000, the note of the defendant was to be executed.

The ground upon which the rescission is sought in the bill is, that the defendant, J. Cummings Johnson, who negotiated the trade with complainant for the land and personal property, perpetrated a fraud upon her in the payment of the $15,000, and $800, in a check upon a bank in which he had on deposit only [617]*617Confederate money, and which sums were paid in Confederate money, notwithstanding complainant had repeatedly and uniformly refused to receive such funds.

From the record it appears, that ten days or two weeks before the trade was concluded, Mrs. Governor Jones and complainant, who resided upon adjoining places near Memphis, went together into the store of Lehman & Co., merchants in that city, and that defendant, J. C. Johnson, a partner in said firm, remarked to Mrs. Jones that he understood that complainant desired to sell her place, and asked the price and kind of money that she would take. Mrs. Jones replied that complainant asked $25,000 for it, but that she would not touch Confederate money, and added, jestingly, that she wanted gold. While this conversation was going on, complainant was in a different part of the store, and was shortly thereafter introduced by Mrs. Jones to the defendant, J. Cummings Johnson.

Some few days after this first meeting of the parties, the defendant, J. Cummings Johnson, went out to the place of complainant, examined it, and agreed with her upon the terms of sale.

What were the precise terms as to the price to be paid, the time of payment, and kind of money, agreed upon between the parties at that time, does not appear from the testimony of any witness present at the interview.

It is, however, alleged in the bill, that the land was sold for $25,000 in good money, $15,000 of which were to be paid at the time of the execution of the deed, and a note, at three years, was to be executed [618]*618for tbe balance; that the land was worth that price in good money, and that complainant, during the negotiation for the purchase, and before the deed was executed, “assured and warned” defendant repeatedly that she would not receive Confederate money in payment of any part of the purchase-money of the 'land or personal property,- but that she would require other and better currency; and- to this the defendant, J. C. Johnson, agreed and acquiesced, saying that the matter could be easily arranged, and that he would fix all that right; that he would give her a check upon a good bank for the cash payment, intimating that he had other and better funds than Confederate money in bank, when in fact he had no other kind on deposit than Confederate treasury notes, as he well knew, and did not intend to pay in any other funds. It is- further alleged in the bill, that complainant did not know that defendant had not other funds, or did not intend to provide sufficient funds to pay said cash payment, and did not for a moment doubt his intention to pay her( in good funds, as she had repeatedly, distinctly, and positively informed him that she would. not take Confederate notes, and he having plainly and distinctly acquiesced in her demand. • Relying upon his assurances -to pay her in good money, she signed the deed for the land the 7th May, 1862, and placed the same in the hands of a friend to deliver upon receiving the $15,000 in money and the note for $10,000-; but the said J. Cummings Johnson, falsely and fraudulently, and in violation of his positive agreement with complainant, took the deed from her friend and gave the [619]*619check of Lehman & Co. upon his banker, well knowing that the same would be paid in Confederate money, and well knowing he had no other funds with said banker wherewith he could or would pay the check ; that the Confederate money, $15,800, was received by her said friend from the bank on said cheek without her knowledge and consent, and in violation of her agreement with said defendant, J. Cummings Johnson; and as soon as complainant learned how said settlement had been made, she repudiated the same, and refused to accept or receive the said Confederate notes, and never did receive the same, or in any way sanction or assent to said settlement, of which she gave said defendant notice.

That very soon after said pretended settlement and payment, the United States military forces occupied Memphis, the Courts were closed and she was prevented by the unsettled state of the country from resorting to the civil tribunals for redress; that since the war has closed she has caused application to be made to said Johnson' to settle with her upon just principles, which he has refused to do.

The bill is not sworn to, and ealls upon the defendant to answer upon oath.

The defendants file their answer, and deny the charge of fraud or bad faith, and also deny that the $15,800 was paid in Confederate money, and especially do they deny that complainant, during the negotiatins which preceded the sale, repeated often, or even stated at all, that she wanted good money for said land, or words to that effect.

[620]*620Respondent states that a few days previous to the conveyance, complainant called at the store of* Lehman & Co. and informed him, in the presence of one of her friends, that the property was for sale and requested him to purchase it, and urged him to go out and look at it, which he did. She refused to take less than $500 per acre, and when he asked her the terms of payment she referred him to her friend R. C. Brinkley, and said whatever he did would be all right. Shortly after this he called upon Brinkley and agreed with him upon the terms, which were carried out, to-wit, $15,000 in cash and the note of defendant, due 7th May, 1865; that Brinkley expressed no unwillingness to receive Confederate money, and as he remembers, nothing was said about Confederate money between them. Respondents deny that complainant said any thing, preceding the interview with Brinkley to settle terms, about being unwilling to take Confederate money. That a few days after the settlement of the terms between him and Brinkley, the said Johnson called at Brinkley’s office to get the deed and make the payment; complainant being present, said she had fears about the currency, and asked respondent what kind of currency he intended to pay the $15,000 in. He replied that he made no difference in funds, for he deposited all funds which he received in bank together to his credit, and that all he could give would be a check on his bank or banker. This conversation occurred before the deed was signed, and that complainant and Brinkley were both present and heard distinctly, and understood what was said; and [621]*621respondeat states that, with the distinct understanding as above stated, be gave to Brinkley, witb tbe assent of complainant, the check of Lehman & Co. on the banking house of J. B.

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Related

Sims v. Banks of Commerce & Trust Co.
14 Tenn. App. 672 (Court of Appeals of Tennessee, 1932)
Rose v. Foutch
4 Tenn. App. 495 (Court of Appeals of Tennessee, 1926)
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118 Tenn. 601 (Tennessee Supreme Court, 1907)
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Bluebook (online)
52 Tenn. 614, 5 Heisk. 614, 1871 Tenn. LEXIS 293, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/scott-v-johnson-tenn-1871.