from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
COMMENCEMENT OF A SUIT OR ACTION. The suit is considered as commenced from
the issuing of the writ; 3 Bl. Com. 273, 285; 7 T. R. 4; 1 Wils. 147; 18
John. 14; Dunl. Pr. 120; 2 Phil. Ev. 95; 7 Verm. R. 426; 6 Monr. R. 560;
Peck's R. 276; 1 Pick. R. 202; Id. 227; 2 N. H. Rep. 36; 4 Cowen, R. 158; 8
Cowen, 203; 3 John. Cas. 133; 2 John. R. 342; 3 John. R. 42; 15 John. R. 42;
17 John. R. 65; 11 John. R. 473; and if the teste or date of the writ be
fictitious, the true time of its issuing may be a and proved, whenever the
purposes of justice require it; as in cases of a plea of tender or of the
statute of limitations. Bac. Ab. Tender D; 1 Stra. 638; Peake's Ev. 259; 2
Saund. 1, n. 1. In Connecticut, the service of, the writ is the commencement
of the action. 1 Root, R. 487; 4 Conn. 149; 6 Conn. R. 30; 9 Conn. R. 530; 7
Conn. R. 558; 21 Pick. R. 241; 2 C. & M. 408, 492 1 Sim. R. 393. Vide Lis
Pendens.