Elizabeth v. American Nicholson Pavement Company was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1891. The case involved a dispute between Elizabeth, a widow, and the American Nicholson Pavement Company, a corporation. Elizabeth had purchased a lot of land from the company in 1883, and the deed included a clause that stated that the company would maintain the pavement in front of the lot. However, the company failed to do so, and Elizabeth sued them for breach of contract. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Elizabeth, finding that the company had breached its contract with her. The Court held that the company was liable for damages, and that Elizabeth was entitled to recover the cost of repairing the pavement. The Court also held that the company was liable for any consequential damages that Elizabeth had suffered as a result of the breach. This case established the principle that a party to a contract is liable for any damages that result from a breach of that contract.

Justice Field wrote the dissenting opinion in Elizabeth v. American Nicholson Pavement Company, arguing that the Court should not have reversed a decision of the Supreme Court of California. He argued that it was improper for this court to review and reverse decisions made by state courts on questions involving local law or custom, as those matters are best left to be decided by local authorities who understand them better than federal judges do. Justice Field also noted that there were no errors in fact or law committed by the California court which would justify reversing its decision; rather, he believed that this case was an example of judicial overreach on behalf of this court into matters traditionally reserved for state courts. In conclusion, Justice Field argued strongly against overturning a valid ruling from a state supreme court without any clear legal justification for doing so.