Shattuck v. Maynard

Richardson, C. J. delivered the opinion of the court. The statute of 1820, cap. 36, sec. 4, enacts, “that “ each and every free able bodied white male citizen of “ this state, resident therein, &c., or who may hereafter “ come to reside in this state, &c., shall severally and re- “ spectively be enrolled in the militia by the captain, &e., “ of the company, within whose bounds such citizen shall re- “ side and the question which this case presents for our decision is, whether Maynard resided within the limits of the first company in Keene, so as to be liable to do military duty there ? The word “ reside,” is used in two senses ; the one constructive, technical, legal ; the other denoting the personal, actual habitation of individuals. When a person has a fixed abode, where he dwells with his family, there can be no doubt as to the place where he resides. The place of his personal and legal residence are the same. So, when a person has no permanent habitation or family, but dwells in dif-. ferent places, as he happens to find employment, there can be no doubt as to the place, where he resides. He must be considered as residing where he actually or personally resides. But some individuals have permanent habitations, where their families constantly dwell, yet pass a great portion of their time in other places. Such persons have a legal residence with their families, and a personal residence in other places ; and the word “ reside,” may, with respect to them, be used to denote either their personal, or their legal residence. The books furnish ample illustrations of this distinction. 1 Dallas 152, Burnet’s case.—Ditto 241, Penman vs. Wayne.—2 Peters Ad. Decisions 442.—2 Robinson 322, The Harmony.—2 Caines’ Rep. 317, Fitzgeral’s case.—16 John, 128, Elbers et a. vs. The United Insurance Com [125] pany.—1 Bin. 351, note.—4 Mass. Rep. 312, Abington vs. Boston.—7 ditto 1, Granby vs. Amherst.—11 ditto 350, Lincoln vs. Hapgood.—Ditto 424, Williams vs. Whiting et a.—10 ditto 488, Putnam vs. Johnson et a.—1 Strange 60.—5 D. & E. 664.—2 Bos. & Pul. 229, note.—Vattel B. 1, cap. 10, sec. 218. In this case, Maynard had a wife residing at Gilsum, with whom he passed his Sundays. His furniture was at Gilsum. His residence at Keene was merely temporary. Under these circumstances, it cannot be doubted, that he had a legal residence in Gilsum ; and it is equally clear, that he had a personal residence in Keene a great portion of his time. The question then is, does the statute make a man liable to do military duty in the place, where he has his legal, or where he has his personal residence ? This point has been decided by the supreme court of Massachusetts,' in the Commonwealth vs. Walker (4 Mass. Rep. 556,) where it was decided, that a private in the militia was not discharged from the company, to which he belonged, by an absence of six months from the brigade, without intention of changing his domicil. If the principle of that decision be correct, Maynard must be considered as liable to do military duty in Gilsum, where he had his legal residence. In adopting a rule, which is to determine where each individual is liable to do military duty, it is very important, that it should be simple and easily applied, that neither the officer, nor the private may be embarrassed in the application of it. In this instance, we are inclined to think, that there has been a very general understanding among the militia officers, that privates were to he enrolled and to do military duly in the places, where they had their legal residence; and that they did not. cease to be members of a company, by any temporary absence from its limits, indeed any other rule would lead to very great uncertainty ; and we think, that great respect is due to the construction, which has been put upon the statute by militia officers. In tin's case, the private not only had his legal residence in Gilsum, but. lie did military duty there ; and we are inclined to think, that, this suit must have "had its origin in a belief. [126] that Maynard had not a legal residence in Gilsum, rather than in the supposition, that if he had, he could be held to do duty in Keene. It is, therefore, the opinion of the court, that there hr Judgment for the respondent,