In Jacob Resler v. James Shehee, the Supreme Court of the United States heard a case involving a dispute between two individuals over land in Kentucky. The plaintiff, Jacob Resler, claimed that he had purchased certain tracts of land from an individual named John Brown and was entitled to possession of them as well as damages for their use by defendant James Shehee. The defendant argued that he had been granted permission to occupy the lands by another person who held title to them at one point and thus should not be liable for any damages or dispossession. After considering both sides' arguments, the court found in favor of Resler and ordered Shehee to pay him $1,000 in damages plus costs associated with bringing suit against him. Additionally, it ruled that all future rents collected on these properties would go directly towards paying off this debt until it was satisfied in full.

In Jacob Resler v. James Shehee, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a deed of trust executed by Shehee in favor of Resler was valid and binding upon him. The majority opinion held that it was not, as there had been no consideration given for the deed and thus it could not be enforced against Shehee. However, Justice Chase dissented from this decision on the grounds that while consideration may have been lacking at the time of execution, subsequent events had provided sufficient value to make up for its absence. He argued that since both parties had benefited from their arrangement - with Resler receiving payment through his security interest in certain lands owned by Shehee - then he should be allowed to enforce his rights under the deed regardless of any lack of initial consideration.