HEARSAY EVIDENCE. That kind of evidence which does not derive its value solely from the credit to be given to the wit ness himself, but rests also, in part, on the veracity and competency of some other per son. I Phillipps, Ev. 185.
2. The term applies to written as well as oral matter ; but the writing or words are not necessarily hearsay, because those of a person not under oath. Thus, information on which one has acted, 2 Barnew. & Ad. 845 ;• 9 Johns. N. Y. 45, the conversation of a per son suspected of insanity, 3 Hagg. Eccl. 574, 2 Ad. & E. 3 ; 7 id. 313, replies to inquiries, 1 Taunt. 364; 8 Bingh. 320; 9 id. 359; 5 Mass. 444; 11 Wend. N. Y. 110; 1 Conn. 387 ; 29 Ga. 718, general reputation, 2 Esp. 482; 3 id. 236; 2 Stark. 116; 2 Campb. 512; 33 Ala. N. s. 425, expressions of fieling, 8 Bingh. 376; 8 Watts, Penn. 355; 4 M'Cord, So. C. 38; 18 Ohio, 99 ; 7 Cush. Mass. 581; 1 Head, Tenn. 373 ; see 45 Me. 392, general repute in the family, in questions of pedigree, 13 Ves. Ch. 140, 514; 3 Russ. & M. 147; 1 Crompt. M. & R. Exch. 919; 2 Carr. & K. 701; 15 East, 29; 4 Rand. Va. 607; 3 Dev. & B. No. C. 91; 18 Johns. N. Y.37 ; 2 Conn, 347; 6 Cal. 197 ; 4 N. H. 371; 17 Pet. 213 ; 1 How. 231 ; see 28 Vt. 416, a great variety of declarations, see DECLARATION, entria made by third persons in the discharge of official duties, 3 Barnew. & Ad. 890 ; 1 Bingh, N. c. 654 ; 3 id. 408 ; 2 Youno & C. Exch. 249; 4 Q. B. 132; 1 & R. Exch. 347 ; and see 8 Wheat. 326 ; 15 Mass. 380 ; 6 Cow. N. Y. 162; 16 Serg. & R. Penn. 89; 4 Mart. La. N. s. 383 ; 6 id. 351 ; 12 Vt. 178 ; 15 Conn. 206, entries in the party's shop. book, 8 Watts, Penn. 544; 9 Serg. & R. Penn. 285 ; 6 Watts & S. Penn. 350 ; 4 Mass. 455 ; 13 id. 427 ; 2 Pick. Mass. 65 ; 8 Mete. Mass. 269 ; 1 Nott & M'C. So. C. 186 ; 2 M'Cord, So. C. 328; 4 id. 76; 1 Halst. N. J. 95; .1 Iowa, 53; 8 id. 163; 1 Greenleaf, Ev. 119, 120, or other books kept in the regular course of business, 7 Carr. & P. 720; 10 Ad. & E. 598; 3 Campb. 305 ; 8 Wheat. 320; 15 Mass. 380; 20 Johns. N. Y. 168; 2 Wend. N. Y. 369, 513; 15 Conn. 206, indorsements of par.
tial payments, 2 Strange, 827; 2 Campb. 321; 4 Pick. Mass. 110 ; 17 Johns. N. Y. 182 ; 2 M'Cord, So. C. 418, have been held admissi ble as original evidence under the circum• stances, and for particular purposes.
3. As a general rule, hearsay reports of a transaction, whether oral or written, are not admissible as evidence. 1 Greenleaf, Ev. 124 ; 9 Ind. 572; 16 N. Y. 381 ; 5 Iowa, 532; 14 La. Ann. 830; 6 Wise. 63. The rule ap plies to evidence given under oath in a cause between other litigating parties. 1 East, 373, 2 id. 54; 3 Term, 77 ; 7 Cranch, 296.
Matters relating to public interest, as, for example, a claim to a terry or highway, may be proved by hearsay testimony, 1 Starkie, Ev. 195; 6 Mees. & W. Exch. 234 ; 1 Maule & S. 679 ; 1 Crompt. M. & R. Exch. 929; 19 Conn. 250; but the matter in controversy must be of public interest, 2 Barnew. & Ad. 245 ; 4 id. 273; 29 Barb. N.Y. 593; 14 Md. 398; 6 Jones, No. C. 459; the declarations must be those of persons supposed to be dead, 11 Price, Exch. 162; 1 Carr. & K. 58; 12 Vt. 178, and must have been made Lelore contro versy arose. 13 Ves. 011.514; 3 Campb. 444; 4 id. 417. The rule extends to deeds, leases, and other private documents, 5 Esp. 60; 10 Barnew. & C. 17; 1 Maule & S. 77; 4 id. 486, maps, 2 Moore & P. 625 ; 19 Conn. 250, and verdicts. 1 East, 355; Carth. 181; 9 Bingh. 465; 10 Ad. & E. 151; 7 Carr. & P. 181.
Ancient documents purporting to 1..e a part of the res gestce are also admissible although the parties to the suit are not bound. 5 Term, 413, n.; 5 Prioe, Exch. 312; 4 Pick. Mass. 160. See 2 Carr. & P. 440: 3 Johns. Cas. N. Y. 283; 1 Harr. & J. Md. 174; 4 Den. N.Y. 201. See DECLARATION ; DYING DECLARA TIONS.
A tax, granted by 13 & 14 Car. H. c. 10, aholistod 1 Will. & Mary, st. 1, c. 10, of two shillings on every hearth or stove in England and Wales, except such as pay not to thrchurch and poor. Ja cob, Law Diet. Commonly called chimney money. Id.
A sort of modes for tithes, viz.: a prescription for cutting down and using for fuel the tithe of wood. 2 Burn, Eccl. Law, 304.