John M. Walker, appellant, brought a case against Jonathan B. H. Smith in the Supreme Court of the United States to recover damages for an alleged breach of contract between them. The contract was that Smith would pay Walker $2,000 if he could prove that certain lands belonged to him and his heirs as tenants in common with others who were not parties to this suit. Walker argued that he had fulfilled all conditions required by the agreement and should be paid accordingly; however, Smith refused payment on grounds that there was no proof of ownership provided by Walker's evidence or testimony at trial. The court found in favor of Smith because it determined that although some evidence may have been presented which showed title vested in those other than parties to this action, none established title vested solely with these two men as co-tenants together without any other persons having rights therein whatsoever - thus failing to meet the requirements set out under their agreement and leaving no basis upon which damages could be awarded for breach thereof .

In John M. Walker v Jonathan B.H Smith, 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 fully performed. The majority opinion held that the contract in question could not be enforced because it had not been completed prior to the death of one party and thus there were no legal grounds for enforcement. However, Justice Grier dissented from this decision on the basis that contracts should generally be enforceable even if they are incomplete at the time of death as long as both parties have made some effort towards performance or consideration has been given by each side in exchange for something else. He argued that such an interpretation would encourage people to enter into contracts with confidence knowing their rights will still be protected even after someone dies unexpectedly during its performance period.