100 Ga. 35 | Ga. | 1896
This was an action by certain brothers and sisters of M. • A. Bentley, and the children of a deceased sister, for the recovery of a tract of land to which they claimed title as • bis heirs at law. They alleged that the defendant was in possession, claiming title under a conveyance of the land, purporting tio- have been signed by the deceased daughter' above referred to, and by each 'of the brothers and sisters ■ suing, except William IT. Bentley, whose name purported to have been signed thereto by another person as his afctor- - ney in fact; and they 'had never signed it, n'or authorized. any one to sign in their behalf. The deed was dated August 26, 1856, and the suit was brought in 1895. There-was a verdict for William IT. Bentley for an undivided seventh interest in the premises, and damages, and in favor-of the defendant as to the other plaintiffs; and the latter - moved for a new trial, which was refused, and they ex- • cepted. The motion was upon the grounds that the verdict Was contrary to- law and the evidence; and upon the further ground that the court erred in refusing to charge-the jury, that if certain of the plaintiffs were minors at the time of the execution of the deed, it did not convey their - interests in the land described in it, unless they subse- • quently ratified'their former action in signing the deed; that mere acquiescence after becoming 'of age would not be-construed as a ratification of the act, unless the defendant or others under whom he claimed were in actual possession of the land claiming title under tire deed; and that if no one was in actual possession claiming under the deed, they would not be called upon to disaffirm it.
There was sufficient evidence to warrant a finding that the deed was executed upon the date stated therein, and by
Judgment affirmed.