Rodney’s Notes
Court of Common Pleas Court of Delaware, Kent County.
December 6, 1803.
H. Ridgely [for plaintiff]. Clayton [for defendant].
Defendants say the loom belonged to Letitia Jones. She lent it to John Wallace until she wanted; she went after it and took Butler, the defendant, with her to bring it home. Plaintiff’s wife did not object (only wished her to lend it to her a while longer) and they took it peaceably. Butler was to buy it if she would deliver it out of the house.
Ridgely. Esp.N.P. 380. Trespass any injury by force, etc. 5 Bac.Abr. 159. Esp.N.P. 403. Possession sufficient to maintain trespass. 5 Bac.Abr. 203. Justification admits property in plaintiff generally.
Clayton for defendant. 3 Bl.Comm. 212. 3 Wils. 377. 2 Term. 156, 157, 158.
Ridgely in conclusion.
PER CURIAM.
Justification in this case does not admit the property in plaintiff. Defendant might enter the house, demand the loom and (if not opposed) in a peaceable manner take it away if she had lent it; if it was not her property, defendant was a trespasser in aiding and assisting as a principal. So also if it was taken from the house in a forcible manner though her property.
Verdict for defendant.
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