Campau v. Campau

| Mich. | Jun 11, 1880

Marston, C. J.

Plaintiffs below claimed title through Nicholas Campau who died intestate in 1811. Nicholas had six brothers and two sisters, two of whom died, one in 1809 and one in 1811, intestate and without issue. Catherine, one of the sisters, moved upon the premises in 1818 or 1819 and commenced the cultivation of a part, and she continued to reside thereon until the time of her death in 1854. In 1845 she quitclaimed her interest in the premises to two of her brothers, Joseph and Barnabas. The construction of this instrument was passed upon when this case was here before, and we see no reason to change or modify what was then said: Campau v. Campau 37 Mich. 246; Sparrow v. Kingmam, 1 Comst. 242. Contemporaneous with this conveyance the grantees gave Catherine back a life lease of the entire estate, covenanting that she should have quiet possession, and agreeing to build or repair a house for her on the premises, she agreeing to pay one dollar per year rent and taxes.

In 1863 Joseph died, and his administrator compelled those in possession, and who had entered under Catherine, to pay rent or recognize his rights as administrator in the premises. In 1866 Joseph’s estate was partitioned, and his interest in these premises set apart to Elizabeth Brown who conveyed in 1868 to Daniel J. Campau, one of the defendants.

In 1875 the heirs of Barnabas sought to exercise their rights, but not being recognized brought ejectment for an undivided one-half of the premises.

It seems quite clear that the title which Joseph and Barnabas had upon delivery to them of the deed from Catherine could be and was no more than they previously held, with the interest of Catherine as one of the heirs added, less any previous valid conveyance made by her. There is nothing-in the record fairly tending to show that Catherine had acquired any other or greater interest, or that she intended to convey, or her grantees supposed they were acquiring, any more than this. Sands v. Davis 40 Mich. 20.

As tenant in common she was entitled to the possession of the entire premises, with the others if they entered — if not, alone; but such possession would not be presumed adverse as against her co-tenants. The conveyance by Catherine to Joseph and Barnabas did not give them the entire title or cut off the rights of their co-tenants, and the lease back of the entire estate and her possession thereunder could not enlarge the title of Joseph and Barnabas as against their co-tenants.

Where a person is in and has held possession of land rightfully under a claim of title which, when traced back, does not purport to convey the entire estate, the mist and ambiguity which shroud and surround the character of the possession, and clajm made thereunder, cannot enlarge the actual title or rights acquired by possession thereunder. On the contrary, clearness and distinctness are requisite to acquire title by adverse possession, either in whole or in part, and especially is this so as against tenants in common. Davis v. Filer 40 Mich. 316; Gower v. Quinlan, id. 575; Everts v. Beach 31 Mich. 136" court="Mich." date_filed="1875-01-12" href="https://app.midpage.ai/document/everts-v-beach-7927921?utm_source=webapp" opinion_id="7927921">31 Mich. 136.

It is also well settled that the possession of an occupant is co-extensive with his claim and color of title. If in possession of a part under color of title to the whole tract, his constructive possession extends to the whole; if under color of title to an undivided interest, Ms constructive possession covers the whole to the extent of such interest; if without color of title, the possession is not extended by construction, beyond the boundaries of the occupied portion. The constructive ppssession of premises will be co-extensive in interest with the title which gave rise to and created it, and in like manner the actual possession may be limited by the title of the occupant. The actual possession of a tenant in common will not be presumed adverse to that of his co-tenants, and his constructive possession in like manner will be limited to his interest as tenant in common. The possession of one tenant in common, unless under a claim of exclusive right, will not affect the rights of the co-tenants. Such exclusive claim and denial of their right, should be clear and unambiguous and brought home to the knowledge of the co-tenants either by express notice, or by implication. And if the latter, all doubt growing out of the nature and character thereof, should be against an ouster. The presumption should be that the tenant in possession respects and recognizes the rights of his co-tenants, until the contrary clearly appears; that tjie possession is rightful, and not to the exclusion of others having equal rights.

The court charged the jury in substance, that Joseph and Barnabas each owned an equal undivided interest in the property. As heirs of Nicholas Campau this would be true, and it would be equally so as to the title they took under the deed from Catherine, or that they acquired by adverse possession, if any. As a general proposition there is, however, no such presumption. Where lands are conveyed or devised to two or more persons, and the instrument is silent as to the interest which each is to take, then the presumption will be that their interests are equal. Such would be the legal effect and construction of the instrument. Where however the interest of each is not thus made apparent, there can be no such presumption. The quantities of the estate of tenants in common, and their proportional shares thprein, may be so different and unequal that no such presumption could, with safety, be indulged in.

The views herein expressed are somewhat different from those which prevailed upon the trial. Several other questions were raised which may not arise upon a new trial, and we therefore pass them for the present, but not thereby giving thereto our approval. It follows that the judgment must be reversed with costs and a new trial ordered.

The other Justices concurred.