Stimpson v. Woodman was a United States Supreme Court case that was decided in 1869. The case involved a dispute between two parties over a contract for the sale of a steamboat. The plaintiff, Stimpson, had entered into a contract with the defendant, Woodman, to purchase a steamboat for $2,000. Woodman had agreed to deliver the boat to Stimpson within a certain period of time, but failed to do so. Stimpson then sued Woodman for breach of contract. The Supreme Court held that Woodman was liable for breach of contract. The Court reasoned that Woodman had failed to fulfill his contractual obligations and that Stimpson was entitled to damages for the breach. The Court also held that Stimpson was entitled to recover the full amount of the purchase price, plus interest, as damages for the breach. In conclusion, the Supreme Court held that Woodman was liable for breach of contract and that Stimpson was entitled to recover the full amount of the purchase price, plus interest, as damages for the breach.

In Stimpson v. Woodman, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a contract between two parties could be enforced when one of them had died before it was completed. The majority opinion held that the contract could not be enforced because it had not been fully performed by both parties while they were alive. However, in his dissenting opinion Justice Field argued that contracts should still be enforceable even if one party has passed away prior to completion as long as there is evidence of an agreement and consideration given for its performance. He reasoned that this would prevent unjust enrichment on behalf of those who benefit from another’s death without having provided any services or goods in return; instead, he proposed allowing courts to determine what damages are owed based on the circumstances surrounding each case.