Blaisdell v. Martin

| Superior Court of New Hampshire | Jul 15, 1838

Parker, C. J.

The demandant objects to the introduction of parol evidence to show that he relinquished his interest in the premises ; but the evidence on which his action, is attempted to be supported is parol evidence^ merely-. He rests his claim entirely on possession. The character of that possession may, of course, be enquired into by evidence of the same nature with that introduced to establish it.

Possession, of itself, does not constitute a title, nor is it necessarily evidence of title. “ Possession of itself evidences ‘only present occupancy by right; because the law will not ‘presume a wrong. But such a possession, it is to be re-1 membered, is as consistent with an estate for life, or years, •' as in fee. The quality and extent, therefore, of the inter- ‘ est of the party in possession may be deduced from collate- ‘ ral circumstances. For this purpose both the acts and dec-1 larations of the party, while in possession, may be proper ‘evidence : and he will not be presumed to have a higher ‘ title than he claims/’ Stearns on Real Actions 38.

It became important to ascertain the character of the de-mandant’s possession, in connexion with the subsequent proceedings ; and the evidence offered by the tenants was, in the first place, to show that the demandant held under no claim of title, and made no such claim ; but that he admitted he had no right to remain, except from the mere fact that he was in possession. This might not have availed, as a sufficient defence, had the evidence stopped here. The fact that the demandant was in possession without making claim of title, would not have authorized the tenants to enter upon him, and turn him out, without showing a better right. 4 Taunt. 547, Catteris vs. Cowper. But the testimony proceeded to show that the demandant, being in possession under such circumstances, voluntarily relinquished the possession to Burley, upon a sale of lands adjoining the premises; and that Burley, upon a like sale, permitted the tenants to enter. They are, therefore, in possession with the assent of the demandant, he having given up the possession to Burley, from whom they received it.

If this be so, what right has the demandant to resume the possession ? If he had no title—and he shows none—his surrender of the possession to Burley put an end to any claim he might have to maintain that possession. And no deed or writing was necessary for such purpose. It is not to be regarded as a trairsfer of an interest in lands, but as a relinquishment of a mere occupation, and permitting another to enter, which may well be proved by parol evidence.

It has been held that an incorporeal right acquired by mere use and occupancy may be lost by abandonment. 3 Barn. & Cres. 332, Moore vs. Rawson. If a right of that character, when acquired, so that it could be asserted against all persons, may be lost by non user and abandonment, it would seem that a mere possession without claim of title might be relinquished, so that any third person, who should afterwards be found in possession, would not be answerable to such prior occupant, upon the mere evidence of the prior occupation.

A disseizin, it is said, may be purged by the disseizor’s abandonment of the possession. 15 Mass. 499, Small vs. Procter. Of course the disseizor, after he had abandoned the possession, might well disclaim. How, upon the same state of facts under which he might disclaim, could he sustain a writ of entry against one who had entered subsequent to him ?

Clearly the demandant cannot treat one to whom he has relinquished his possession, nor any subsequent possessor under the latter, as a disseizor. The evidence was improperly rejected, and there must be a New trial.