SUNDAY. The first day of the week.
2. In some of the New England states it begins at sun setting on
Saturday, and ends at the same time the next day. But in other parts of the
United States, it generally commences at twelve o'clock on the night between
Saturday and Sunday, and ends in twenty-four hours thereafter. 6, Gill. &
John. 268; and vide Bac. Ab. Heresy, &c. D; Id. Sheriff, N 4; 1 Salk. 78; 1
Sell. Pr. 12; Hamm. N. P. 140. The Sabbath, the Lord's Day, and Sunday, all
mean the same thing. 6 Gill. & John. 268; see 6 Watts, 231; 3 Watts, 56, 59.
2. In some states, owing to statutory provisions, contracts made on
Sunday are void; 6 Watts, R. 231; Leigh, N. P. 14; 1 P. A. Browne, 171; 5 B.
& C. 406; 4 Bing. 84; but in general they are binding, although made on that
day, if good in other respects. 1 Crompt. & Jervis, 130; 3 Law Intell. 210;
Chit. on Bills, 59; Wright's R. 764;,10 Mass. 312 1 Cowen, R. 76, n.; Cowp.
640; 1 Bl. Rep. 499; 1 Str. 702; see 8 Cowen, R. 27; 6 Penn. St. R. 417,
420.
4. Sundays are computed in the time allowed for the performance of an
act, but if the last day happen to be a Sunday, it is to be excluded, and
the act must in general be performed on Saturday; 3 Penna. R. 201; 3 Chit.
Pr. 110; promissory notes and bills of exchange, when they fall due on
Sunday, are generally paid on Saturday. See, as to the origin of keeping
Sunday as a holiday, Neale's F. & F. Index, Lord's day; Story on Pr. Notes,
Sec. 220; Story on Bills, Sec. 233; 2 Hill's N. Y. Rep. 587; 2 Applet. R.
264.