14 Ala. 777 | Ala. | 1848
The plaintiff, who is the wife of Thomas J. Butler, and daughter of the late Joshua B. Leavens, filed her bill in chancery against the appellees, alledging that in January, 1834, her father, being a man of large fortune, which greatly exceeded his debts and liabilities, &c. bought in her name and paid for the same, fifty shares of the capital stock of the Merchants’ Insurance Company of the city of Mobile, which company had been duly incorporated by an act of the legislature of the State of Alabama. That the certificate of stock was duly issued for said fifty shares to complainant, and the same were entered upon the books of said corporation as belonging to her, as will appear by the books of said corporation. Tha her father, at the same time, purchased in his own name one hundred shares of said stock.. That the stock so purchased in her name was designed by her said father as an advancement. That in June thereafter, Joshua B. Leavens departed this life, leaving the complainant his only child, she being an infant, and leaving a large estate greatly more than sufficient to pay all his debts. After the death of Joshua, Benjamin Leavens was appointed guardian for the complainant by the orphans’ court of Mobile county. That her said guardian, in January, 1836, pending her minority, and without any order from the orphans’ court, of Mobile, or authority whatever, fraudulently and improperly
On the 2d May, 1843, her husband was discharged by decree in bankruptcy, upon his petition filed in the district court holden at Mobile on the 14th December, 1842, by which decree in bankruptcy, his estate became vested in P. T. Harris, the general assignee in bankruptcy for said district court, in that behalf duly appointed. The said assignee and Thomas J. Butler, and the Merchants’ Insurance Company, are made defendants to the bill. Complainant prays that the' transfer made by her guardian, and the certificate issued to S, St. John, jr. may be declared void. That the deed from
A copy of the deed from said Butler to the complainant, is attached to the bill as an exhibit.
The bill was taken for confessed as against Butler, and Harris, the assignee in bankruptcy. The Merchants’ Insurance Company answered, and denied that the fifty shares were bought and paid for by J. B. Leavens as an advancement to the complainant, but on the contrary, avers that in 1834, about the time stated in the bill, the mercantile firm of St. John & Leavens, late composed of said Joshua B. Leavens and Samuel St. John, and the firm of J. D. Beers & Co. of New York, subscribed for two hundred and eighty shares of the capital stock in said company. That the said stock was subscribed for in the names of several persons, by J. B. Leavens, viz., a portion in his own name, fifty shares in the name of his daughter, the complainant, and the remainder in different portions in the names of S. St. John, George Starr, and St. John & Leavens. The answer further states, that the entries on the books of St. John & Leavens, made in the lifetime of Leavens, and while he was the active member of the firm, show that the stock was purchased for the benefit of the firm, and that the expenditures on account of its purchase, were incurred by said firm. Admits the death of J. B. Leavens, the appointment of Benjamin Leavens as guardian for the complainant, and insists that as such guardian, under the circumstances of the case, and in accordance with the request of Joshua B., his brother, before his death, he did make, and had the right to make the transfer of the stock, which had been entered on the books of the company in the name of complainant. That at the time said transfer was made of said stock to Samuel St. John, the company was not apprised of the considerations and inducements which led to the same, but has subsequently learned that said transfer was made in accordance with the previous request of Joshua B. Leavens. That no money was paid by Samuel St. John, but he was charged on the books of the firm of St. John &
That in 1841, a settlement was made between Benjamin Leavens, executor of Joshua B. Leavens, deceased, and J. D. Beers, who had before that time become the assignee of all the interest of the other partners, and represented them. The parties disagreeing as to the settlement, a suit was instituted in the circuit court of the United States for the southern district of Alabama, for the- settlement of the partnership accounts, and the adjustment of all matters of differehce between them. That in this controversy, although the fifty shares were credited to Joshua B. Leavens and charged to Samuel St. John, jr., the complainant made no objection thereto. That the whole matter was finally settled by an assignment to J. D. Beers, of the effects of the firm of St. John & Leavens, said partners, and Benjamin Leavens, as executor of Joshua B., executing mutual releases as to claims in favor or against the estate of said Joshua. That by this arrangement, the estate of Joshua was greatly benefited, and the complainant was represented in the settlement by her husband, who gave his consent to the arrangement, which was concluded at Mobile in the spring of 1841, and when both complainant and her said husband had arrived at the age of twenty-one years.
The answer further avers, that allowing the said Benjamin Leavens transcended his authority as executor of Joshua B. and guardian for complainant, still she should not be heard to complain, as she has received from her said father’s estate $30,000, and is thereby fully indemnified for the loss; Admits the marriage, and bankruptcy of Butler, as charged. Requires proof of the release of said Butler to his wife of his interest in the shares in controversy, and denies that any demand was made of the shares or dividends by the complainant or her husband, before the 11th January, 1843, when she ordered the company by letter to make payment to one Starke. Previous to that time, the defendant knows of no letters which passed, or conversations had with the plaintiff
The answer further insists, that the guardianship of Benjamin Leavens has been fully settled by the orphans’ court of Mobile. That the complainant and her husband were parties to that settlement, and made no claim against their said guardian for said shares, but fell in his debt. Avers further, that complainant and her husband have released the securities of Benjamin Leavens on his bond as executor of Joshua B., and as guardian for the complainant, thereby indicating that they well knew the fifty shares of stock were not designed as an advancement, but that the name of the complainant was used for a temporary purpose, which having been subserved, the stock was transferred, as it should have been, to the firm whose means had paid for it. This defendant demurs to the bill for want of proper parties, and insists also upon the plea of the statute of limitations of six years. Upon the hearing, on bill, answer and proof, &c. the chancellor dismissed the bill.
The view we take of the merits of this controversy, renders it unnecessary for us to examine the questions raised upon the demurrer to the bill.
The main question is, does the record show that the fifty shares subscribed for by Joshua B. Leavens in the Merchants’ Insurance Company, in the name of Helen Naomi Leavens, now Mrs. Butler, were designed as an advancement to her; and if so designed, whether the gift or advancement was so perfected by her said father, as under the circumstances in proof, the court would be warranted in decreeing to her the benefit of the stock. The rule of the common law was, that where a feoffment was made without consideration, the use resulted to the feoffor, and upon this the doctrine of implied or resulting trusts in respect to real estate has been engrafted, which has been extended to embrace the purchase of securities in the name of a third person.
We have said a purchase by a parent, in the name of his child, is prima facie an advancement, it results, that the relation of parent and child, being only evidence of the intention with which the purchase was made, creating a presumption in favor of the child, such presumption may be rebutted by evidence manifesting a different intention. This evidence may consist in the cotemporaneous acts and declarations of the parent. The authorities referred to, as holding that parol proof shall not be admitted in such cases to establish a resulting trust in favor of the father, or third persons, do not, we conceive, sustain the position as applicable to this case. Mr. Atherly holds, there are circumstances which will rebut the presumption of an advancement, and which will convert the child into a trustee. Among such, he notes a previous ample provision for the child by the parent. Ath. Mar. Set. 477. And also in cases where he has no provision ; yet if the subject of the purchase is the only property opt of which the parent can make a provision for the other branches of his family, a court of equity would probably consider the child a trustee ; for being equally bound morally tp provide for all his children, the court will intend the parent .contemplated the fulfilment of that moral duty; and not that
It is, however, unnecessary for us to comment upon the various cases to which we are referred as to the conclusiveness of the presumption of an advancement, where the father makes the purchase in the name of his child, and advances, the consideration, or where he conveys directly to the child'. The case at bar, in our opinion, is by the testimony placed without the influence of these decisions.
The bill in the case before us alledges, that the purchase of the fifty shares of stock in controversy was made in the name of Miss Leavens, (now Mrs. Butler,) and which shares were paid for by her father. The answer denies that the father paid for them, but on the contrary, asserts the payment was made by the firm of St. John & Leavens. Thus, an issue is presented. Let us turn to the evidence.
The proof on the part of the complainant, shows, that Joshua B. Leavens subscribed for the fifty shares in January, 1834, in the name of his daughter, who then lacked a few
Complainant further proved by five witnesses, that Joshua B. Leavens, at the time of the purchase in the name of his daughter, was a man in high standing — considered wealthy —was a member of the firm of St. John & Leavens — handled large amounts of money — was the owner of much real estate in the city of Mobile. That he purchased of one of the witnesses (Gordon) in May, 1832, real estate in Mobile, amounting to $100,000; and afterwards, a short time before he died, the same was sold by him for $200,000, all which has been paid, except some #40,000 or $50,000. It is further shown, that the rules of the company required twenty per cent, of the stock subscription to be paid in cash, at the time of subscribing.
The defendant examined these witnesses. The first, Benjamin Leavens, testifies as to declarations made by his brother Joshua a short time before his death, in respect to the shares which he held in the Merchants’ Insurance Company; viz., that Joshua informed him, that the purchase of said stock had been made for the benefit of the firm of St. John & Leavens; that their funds had paid for said stock, and that he was instructed by Joshua, to transfer said stock to the firm, or to St. John, as the latter might direct. Said Joshua being then about starting to the north, and giving the witness instructions as his agent, and executor of his will in anticipation of his death.
The deposition of Newton St. John, is very full and expli
This witness further proves, that in 1833, the legislature having chartered the Merchants’ Insurance Company, Joseph E. Sheffield, and Joshua B. Leavens, both being the owners of much real estate, and interested in the prosperity of the city, the former insisted that Leavens should aid in starting, or “ launching” the company, believing that when started, it would be of much public advantage. That after repeated conversations, it was finally concluded, that both Sheffield and Leavens, should each take a large portion of the stock, and that the company might present the appearance of having its stock distributed among a great many persons, they used in their subscription the names of numbers of their friends. That Sheffield subscribed for more stock than Leavens, and used more names than he. Among the names used by Leavens, was that of his daughter, the complainant. That the mortgage executed by Leavens, as also the note which it was intended to secure, were but temporary arrangements, designed to postpone the cash payments; and in a short time thereafter, were taken up, and a new arrangement made, by which the firm of St. John & Leavens became bound for the stock. That on the 29th day of March, 1834, the witness, at the request of Leavens, made an entry upon the books of St.John & Leavens, placing the shares so purchased, (being two hundred and eighty,) to the credit of the firm. He also testifies, that the entire stock was paid for out of the funds of St. John & Leavens, and that the latter never paid any thing therefor, from his private funds, but purchased said stock for the firm.
Another witness, (Bullard,) exhibits copies from the books of St. John & Leavens, of the account between the firm and the company, showing that money was advanced by the firm, and the sums and dates.
Had Joshua B. Leavens purchased this stock in the name of his daughter, with his own funds, we should not hesitate, in the absence of cotemporaneous circumstances, showing a different intention, to regard the purchase as an advancement. She was his only child — an infant daughter, and he was a widower. His pecuniary circumstances perhaps would have justified such a provision for her. Her tender years, as well as her situation otherwise, would seem to furnish a very strong argument against any supposed intention on the part of her father, to make her a trustee. Taylor v. Taylor, 1 Atk. 386. But these circumstances, though strong, must yield to the proof in the cause.
“The moral obligation,” says Judge Story, “of a parent to provide for his children, is the foundation of this exception, or rather this rebutter of the presumption,” that the purchase in the name of the child was intended for the father’s benefit: the presumption of an advancement should
In the modern case of Sydmouth v. Sydmouth, 2 Bevan, 447, Lord Langdale, Master of the Rolls, thus states the law: Where property is purchased by a parent in the name of his child, the purchase is prima facie to be deemed an advancement ; the resulting, or implied trust, which arises in favor of the person who pays the purchase money, and takes a conveyance, or transfer, in the name of a stranger, does not arise in the case of a purchase by a parent in the name of his child. But still, the relation of parent and child is only evidence of the intention of the parent to advance the child, and that evidence may be rebutted by other evidence, manifesting an intention that the child shall take as trustee.” The case further decides, that cotemporaneous acts, and declarations of the father, are evidence to rebut the prima facie intendment.
In the case at bar, the parent subscribed for two hundred and eighty shares of stock, using the names of various persons, and executed his note, and mortgage, to secure the payment, and which, in a short time, and before any payment was made thereon, were canceled, and the firm of which he was a member became bound for the instalments. What title, it may be asked, did the complainant acquire by the bare act of her father’s subscribing for the stock ? Could he not have refused the payment and forfeited the stock ? Could he not, holding the certificate, have canceled the arrangement, and returned the certificate to the company ? Would the court of chancery, upon the application of the daughter, have compelled the father to have paid for the shares for her benefit ? I apprehend the rule is well settled, that a valuable consideration is required to put that court in motion. Holloway v. Headington,8 Sim. 324; Hill on Trustees, 83; Cecil v. Butcher, 2 J. & W. 565; Cook v. Fountain, 3 Swans. 591. The mere act of subscribing, does not constitute the advancement, but the outlay of the money, or funds of the father, which was necessary to vest the beneficial interest in the securities in the daughter. It follows, then, if this view be correct, the acts aud declarations of the father cotempora-neous with the payment, and while he held the certificate of
In that case, the father had subscribed one hundred shares in his own name, and fifty in the name of his son. The certificates were retained by the father, who also paid up the various calls upon all the shares, and received the dividends, but without any order from the son. There was evidence on the part of the father, that the son had said the shares belonged to the father; but it was also shown the son offered to sell the shares as his own, and that it was the intention of the father to bequeath them, with the rest of his property. The vice chancellor was of the opinion, that the receipt of the title deeds, and dividends, was evidence for the father, especially in case of an adult, and that the payment of the calls upon the stock subsequent to the subscription, carried the case further, than the mere payment of the price at the time of the purchase would have done.
I am not unapprised of the decisions which affirm, that where the nominee is an infant, the father, as to the perception of the profits of the investment, and the retention of the title deeds, must be regarded as acting in his capacity of guardian, although Lord Ch. Justice Eyre, in Dyer v. Dyer, 2 Cox. Rep. 92, thought it would' be very difficult to succeed in a bill for an account against him as such. Nevertheless, these authorities, in my judgment, do not apply to cases where the equitable, or beneficial interest has never vested in the nominee; and they are certainly inapplicable to the present case, in which the receipt of the dividends was not by the father individually, but by the firm, who advanced the money. The main fact to be ascertained is, did the father intend to advance the daughter ? Did he intend to invest in this stock $5,000 for her benefit ? Now, the payment for the shares, their retention by Joshua B. Leavens for the firm, and the receipt of the dividends by the firm, are all circumstances which either form a part of, or connect them
2. But it is insisted that Mrs. Butler must be considered as having the legal title, and'though she may hold as trustee, still she is entitled to the relief sought by the bill.
Whether she holds the legal title, depends — 1. Upon the validity of the assignment by her guardian of these shares to Samuel St. John. 2. Upon the effect of her husband’s- bankruptcy, in operating a transfer to his assignee.
Having attained the conclusion that Mrs. Butler was a mere {trustee for the benefit of St. John &• Leavens, and that her guardian transferred the stock without authority of law, let us next proceed to inquire whether, under this state of the ,ca.se, she is entitled to any relief by her bill.
It is said to be the duty of a bank, or joint stock corporation, not to permit a transfer of its stock, until they are satisfied of the party’s authority to transfer. Angell & Ames on Cor. 451. So, it has been held, if stock be transferred un.der a forged power of attorney, the proprietor is entitled to ¡have it replaced. Ashby v. Blackwell, 2 Eden, 299; Woodworth on Joint Stock Com. 164.
In Davis v. The Bank of England, which was a special •action on the case against the bank, for breach of duty, in
It seems to be agreed, that in property of this description, (stocks in incorporated companies,) the legal title may exist distinct from the equitable. Now suppose, in this case, no attempted transfer had been made, and no dividends had been paid by the company, and Mrs. Butler had claimed the stock as an advance, but the company had been notified by St. John & Leavens that she was merely a trustee; that their firm had advanced the money; that they held the certificate of stock; that the purchase was not intended as a gift, but was made in the name of complainant, to give the stock the appearance of large distribution; — could not the company have compelled the conflicting claimants to have settled the-ir controversy, by the exhibition of a bill of interpleader ? It is said the Bank of England is not bound to.notice any trust of public stock standing in their books; that all they have to do, is to look to the legal estate, &c. 1 Daniels’s Ch. Prac. 187. This arises out of the spirit and policy of the several acts of parliament, by which the public stocks and annuities are committed to the management of that institution. Without the application of such a rule to the Bank of England, wielding as it does such an immense amount of stock of a character which might otherwise engender much litigation, it would be greatly embarrassed in its operation, and would have constantly to resort to a court of chancery to settle controversies for its own protection. But such is not the law, as applicable to the company now litigating. In cases where the rights of third parties are involved, we see no reason why this company should not be subject to the same legal, and moral obligations which apply to individuals. If I place funds in the hands of my agent, to invest in shares in the company, in my name, and for my benefit, and he cause the shares to be transferred in his own name, being forbidden to recognize him as the owner, and fully advised of the circumstances of the purchase, the company, in my judgment, would be responsible, should it permit the agent afterwards to trans
We are of opinion the Merchants’ Insurance Company could have maintained such bill in this case, before recognizing the title of the cestui que trust. “A bill of interpleader,” says Lord Cottenham, in Hoggart v. Cotts, 1 Cr. & Ph. 197, “ lies where the plaintiff may say, ‘ I have a fund in my possession in which I claim no personal interest, and to which you, the defendants, set up conflicting claims; pay me my costs, and I will bring the fund into court, and you shall contest it between yourselves.’ The case must be one in which the fund is the matter of contest between two parties; in which the litigation between them will decide all their respective rights with respect to the fund.”
It is no objection to such bill, that one of the defendants has a right of action cognizable at law, and the other only an equitable demand. Scuyler v. Pelissier, 3 Edw. Ch. Rep. 71, 191; 1 Daniels’s Ch. Pr. 24-5, n. 1; 1 Spence’s Eq. Jur. 660, marg.; Mitf. 48, n. f.; 1 Fonb. Eq. 4th Am. ed. 28, n.; Richards v. Salter, 6 Johns. Ch. Rep. 447.
In Readfearne v. Ferrier et al. 1 Done’s Ho. of Lords Rep. 50, it seems an interpleader was allowed in a case, bearing some analogy to this. One David Stewart had purchased a share in the Edinburgh Glasshouse Company, which was a private society. By the regulations of this company, the shares could be held by individuals only. The share stood on the books of the company in the name of Stewart, but he had really purchased for the firm of Stewart & Somervail. Afterwards, Stewart assigned to Readfearne for a valuable consideration; the latter having purchased in good faith, and without notice of Somervail’s equity, intimated the assignation to the company, but no transfer of the share was made upon their books. Both Readfearne and Somervail claiming the share, the company raised, what is termed in Scotland, the action of multiple poinding, (corresponding to the English bill of interpleader,) to adjust the conflicting claims of
But having this right to regard the trust which attached to the stock, and to ask the aid of the court for its protection, the company could waive a judicial investigation, intended for its security, and elect at its peril to recognize the claim of either. This it has done, and the question is, did it pay the dividends to the true owner ? Has it recognized, and does it still recognize, that party as the proprietor, to whom the court would have decreed the dividends, as well as the legal title? This it has also done. The substantial justice of the case has been attained. The true beneficial owner has the property, and is in the enjoyment of it, and the trustee, under the circumstances, could never be made liable respecting the stock, nor has she sustained any injury by the unauthorized proceedings by which it has been transferred. The court in such case will look to the result, or end, if it be such as it would have decreed, rather than to the informal, or unauthorized mode of procedure, by which the parties have arrived at it. In such case it may well be said, “ quod fieri non de-bet, factum valeat.” 5 Sim. 555.
The trustee in this case, having no interest, and no ulterior duties to perform with respect to the trust, comes into court, and seeks to recover dividends which have been paid to the cestui que trust, when, if recovered, she would be required to refund. There is no equity in her application, and in our judgment, the bill was properly dismissed. The maxim is, “ that will be ratified when done, which the court upon application would order to be done.” Harris v. Alcock, 10 Gill & Johns. 227. As to the character of complainant’s title, see Cook v. Kennerly & Smith, 12 Ala. Rep. 42; Hill on Trustees, 316; Lewin on Trusts, 477, 489, 498; 13 Ala. Rep. 698. See as to her right to relief, 3 Ves. 757; 5 Sim. 555.
We have not deemed it necessary to notice the effect of the supposed acquiescence of Mr. Butler, to the settlement made between Benjamin Leavens as executor of Joshua, and