JOHN BOOTH vs. WAITMAN BOOTH and WILLIAM SIPPLE Administrators of JOHN BOOTH, dec'd, 2 Harr. 54

Per curiam. — (Black, J., hesitante.) We think that the action for money had and received may be sustained for a distributive share on the general counts, and without setting out the facts or declaring specially; and that these administration accounts are therefore evidence. Plaintiff then offered in evidence, the correction of the three accounts in the Orphans’ Court, on the appeal by the other heir. Objected to. Frame.— The decision on that appeal is not admissible in evidence here as it was between other parties.

It is clearly not admissible as to the first account, for at that time this plaintiff was forever barred from taking an appeal from that account. As to him it was conclusive, his rights were fixed, and the Orphans Court had no jurisdiction as to the rights of either of these parties touching that account. It cannot be that the limitation, which is a fiat bar in a direct proceeding, could thus indirectly, through the proceeding of a younger heir who was not barred, be entirely got rid of. Bates, contra.

By the constitution these accounts are to be settled according to the very right of the matter; and, as so settled, they ascertain the liability of the administrator. The accounts, either as filed or as corrected, are the only means of getting at the truth; and the truth, when thus ascertained, enures to the benefit or the detriment of all parties concerned, whether administrator, heir or creditor. The defendant here was also a party to that appeal, and he is therefore concluded as to the balance. The decrees of the Orphan’s Court are moreover in their nature, conclusive on all the world. 1 Harr. Rep., 486.

The decree establishes a fact, a certain balance in the hands of the administrator; this fact, so established, is evidence of the liability of the admistrator, no matter who calls him to account. Thus one creditor appealing, secures to all other creditors the benefit of a decree as evidence of the administrators liability. It is in other words, the highest evidence of the true balance of the intestates estate. Per curiam. This is a new question, and one both of consequence and difficulty.

The decrees of the register unappealed from, are binding on all the world, yet all parties have the right of appeal for a limited time. Every heir may appeal successively. The decree of the Orphan’s Court is conclusive on the party appealing, but not on the other parties having the right to appeal. W hat then shall be the rule of evidence or measure of liability as to a party whb has not appealed, the decree of the register or the decree of the Orphans’ Court made on the appeal of another party ?

The record of his sister’s appeal was not conclusive against the present plaintiff-should it then be conclusive for him 1 And yet the uniform practice has been to receive the corrected accounts in favor of all interested. Such a rule of evidence tends to prevent multiplicity of suits, as a contrary, one would compel each heir or creditor to prosecute an appeal; and it seems but reasonable, at least as to persons whose right of appeal is not barred, that they should have the benefit of the correction of the accounts, though made at the instance of another party similarly situated.

According to this view, we have come to the conclusion, that the Orphans’ Court proceedings are evidence in favor of any part}'- not barred at the time of the appeal, whether heir or creditor, and who acquiesces in the appeal taken. Plaintiff cannot avail himself, therefore, of the first account, as it was barred; but he may use the other accounts as corrected, in respect of which he falls within the rule laid down. Bates, for plaintiff. Frame? for defendant. The parties agreed to take a verdict subject to the opinion of the court, on a more mature consideration of these questions.