Every judge of probate retiring from office, or his representatives, shall be liable to an action, in the name of his successor, for damages for any books, papers or furniture proved to have been in his possession but not appearing by such receipt to have been transferred to his successor. Such damages, when recovered, shall be appropriated to the replacing of such books, papers or furniture or to the benefit of the parties who may have been injured by the loss thereof and an order for appropriating such damages shall be made by the court before which such action may be tried.