Opinion
(June Term, 1843.)
Where a person boards and supports another from motives of charity, without any intention of charging for her expenditures, he cannot, when the object of his charity subsequently becomes possessed of property, charge her or her representatives with the amount so expended — either at law or in equity.
THIS cause was transmitted for a final hearing from the Court of Equity of EDGECOMBE, at Fall Term, 1842, to this Court.
The facts are stated in the opinion here delivered.
Badger and Attorney-General for plaintiff.
J. H. Bryan for defendant.
Catharine Darby, an indigent lady, in 1810 came to the house of the defendant, where she was kindly received, and lived on terms of friendship and equality with the family until 1824, when she died, leaving no issue. During all that time the defendant maintained her, but never made any charge for her board and maintenance or intimated a design to do so. A Mrs. Blount made her will and left C. Darby a legacy, and died just before C. Darby did. In 1832 the defendant administered on the estate of C. Darby, and as such took into his possession the said legacy. The next of kin not making any application in seven years for the said fund, the plaintiffs, by virtue of an act of Assembly, claimed the fund, and have filed this bill to obtain it. The case now comes before us upon an exception by the defendant to the report of the master, (606) that he had not been allowed the sum of $60 per year for the board of C. Darby, from 1810 to 1824. In looking into the defendant's answer, his examination before the master, and the deposition of Mary Parker, it appears to us that Mr. McNair boarded C. Darby the time mentioned from motives of charity, kindness and benevolence, or, in other words, he gave her the board. The circumstance of the legacy coming to her afterwards does not, either in law or equity, authorize him now to raise this charge. We think that the exception must be overruled, and that the report must be confirmed and a decree entered for the plaintiffs accordingly.
PER CURIAM. Decreed accordingly.
Cited: Hedrick v. Wagoner, 53 N.C. 362; Everitt v. Walker, 109 N.C. 132.
(607)