In the case of William Pinkney Whyte, Administrator De Bonis Non of John Gooding, deceased v. Robert M. Gibbes and Charles Oliver, surviving Executors of Robert Oliver, deceased the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a creditor had a right to sue an executor for debts owed by his predecessor in office. The court held that creditors have no such right against executors unless they are specifically authorized by law or statute to do so. In this particular case there was no such authorization and thus the court ruled in favor of the defendants (the surviving executors). This ruling established that creditors must look first to their debtor's estate before seeking recourse from any other party involved with it; if there is not enough money available within the estate then they may seek relief from those responsible for administering it but only when explicitly allowed by law or statute.

In this case, William Pinkney Whyte, the administrator of John Gooding's estate, appealed a decision by the South Carolina Supreme Court that Robert Oliver was entitled to certain property. The majority opinion held that since Robert Oliver had been in possession of the property for more than twenty years and no one had challenged his ownership during that time period, he should be allowed to keep it. However, Justice Curtis dissented from this opinion on two grounds: firstly because there was evidence presented at trial which showed that Robert Oliver did not have title or right to possession of the land; secondly because even if he did have such rights they were extinguished when his will was probated after his death. He argued instead for an equitable solution whereby both parties would receive some benefit from their respective claims.