Yates v. Lurvey

Decision Date06 June 1876
PartiesOCTAVIUS K. YATES v. MARY A. LURVEY.
CourtMaine Supreme Court

1875.

ON EXCEPTIONS.

ASSUMPSIT on account annexed for some forty visits of a physician extending over two years, stating a balance of $35.00. It was agreed that the services were rendered, and the prices reasonable, that the defendant was a married woman, owning property in her own right, that the husband went for the plaintiff in the first place, and that the defendant at the first visit promised and agreed to pay for the services which were rendered entirely for herself and her children by her former husband, and were charged to the defendant on the plaintiff's books. The presiding judge ruled the action maintainable, and the defendant excepted.

S. F. Gibson & C. E. Holt, for the defendant.

H. C. Davis, for the plaintiff.

WALTON, J.

The only question is, whether an action will lie against a married woman for medical attendance rendered at her request, and for which she expressly promises to pay. We think it will. The common law in this particular is entirely abrogated in this state. By statute a married woman is now made liable for any debt contracted by her, in her own name, for any lawful purpose; and an action may be maintained against her therefor, either alone, or jointly with her husband. R. S., c. 61, § 4.

The case finds that the plaintiff is a regular physician, that he rendered the services sued for, that the prices charged are reasonable, that the defendant promised at his first visit to pay for his services, that they were exclusively for her and her children by a former husband, and were rendered entirely upon her credit, and charged to her upon the plaintiff's books. That the plaintiff is entitled to judgment upon such a statement of facts we cannot doubt, notwithstanding the defendant is a married woman.

Exceptions overruled.

Judgment for plaintiff.

APPLETON, C. J., BARROWS, DANFORTH, VIRGIN and PETERS, JJ., concurred.

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3 cases
  • Gabriel v. Mullen
    • United States
    • Missouri Supreme Court
    • June 20, 1892
    ... ... Kelley's Contracts of Married Women, p. 178; May v ... Smith, 48 Ala. 483; Yates v. Lervey, 65 Me ... 221; Thomas v. Passage, 54 Ind. 114. (5) The general ... verdict should be set aside when inconsistent with the ... ...
  • Gabriel v. Mullen
    • United States
    • Kansas Court of Appeals
    • April 23, 1888
    ... ... given the wife. Kelley's Contracts of Married Women, 178; ... May v. Smith, 48 Ala. 483; Yates v. Lervey, ... 65 Me. 221; Thomas v. Passage, 54 Ind. 114 ...           V. The ... general verdict should be set aside, when ... ...
  • Brown v. Durepo
    • United States
    • Maine Supreme Court
    • March 29, 1922
    ...purchased the goods sued for, but purchased them on her own credit, which under the statutes of this state she had a right to do. Yates v. Lurvey, 65 Me. 221; R. S. c. 66, § It is true that at common law the wife, while living with the husband, in purchasing of tradesmen in the ordinary cou......

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