30 N.H. 354 | Superior Court of New Hampshire | 1854
Upon the facts alleged in the bill and averred and admitted in the answers, it is manifest that the complainant has no interest in the subject matter of the bill, namely, the Q,uaid place, the premises, the right to which is in dispute. The fact is made plain that he holds the title simply as trustee, for such person or persons as the same may be found to belong to, and daims no interest in himself, and the claims of the defendants are fully stated in the bill and in the answersj
Perhaps the complainant should have made out conveyances duly executed, purporting to convey the premises according to the several claims alleged in the bill, and should have averred the preparation and execution of them, and his readiness and an offer to deliver the same in court for the use of such of the grantees named therein as might be adjudged entitled. If this bill were a bill filed for relief in the nature of a bill of interpleader, perhaps It might not be necessary to offer to deliver such conveyances into court. But that is not this case. This is a simple bill of inter-pleader, filed only for the purpose of asking that the defendants may be ordered and decreed to litigate and settle their conflicting claims between themselves. Mohawk and Hudson Railroad Co. v. Clute & a., 1 Cow. 384. No exception, however, is taken to the want of the preparation and execution of such conveyances, or to the omission of the plaintiff to allege the same in his bill.
When the party would maintain a bill of the character
The danger of injury to the complainant arising out of the opposing claims and doubtful rights of the several defendants as between themselves, is the general ground of jurisdiction in the case of a simple bill of interpleader. It must appear from the complainant’s own showing, that he cannot pay the debt or render the duty or other thing to either of the parties claiming the same, without some risk of being subsequently liable for the same debt or duty to the other.
Where such doubt is raised upon the bill, the court will assume jurisdiction ; but if not, the party really and justly entitled to the debt, duty, or other thing, is not to be subjected to the delay and expense of a chancery proceeding without his consent, before he shall be allowed to receive what is justly due him, and, in fact, as his only remedy and means of relief. Atkinson v. Manks & a., 1 Cow. 691; Bedell v. Hoffman & a., 2 Paige Rep. 199; Mitchell v. Hayne, 2 Sim. & Stu. 63; Jeremy’s Eq. Jurisdiction 346; 1 Mad. Ch. Pr. 174.
It is said that the filing of bills of interpleader ought not to be favored, (Bedell v. Hoffman, before cited,) and to prevent it from being resorted to for the purpose of giving an advantage to one of the claimants over the other, the complainant is required regularly to annex to the bill, or upon,
The material facts alleged in the bill, upon which the plaintiff relies to sustain his case for a decree of interpleader, are to be taken as confessed by those defendants who have not filed answers in the cause, and they are, in fact, admitted by the other defendants, so far as they have knowledge of them, and are not denied by any of them. The bill is to be considered as properly filed as to those who have failed to answer.
It is alleged and not denied that the complainant holds the Quaid place, in trust for the person or persons entitled to receive a deed of it. That such persons are either Henry M. Blood, one of the defendants, or the other defendants named in the bill as the heirs of Rebecca Blood, now deceased, and that the said Blood claims the title to the estate as belonging to him, while the heirs of Rebecca claim the right to have the same conveyed to them; and that the complainant has been requested by each of those claimants to convey the premises according to said several claims. That the complainant has- no beneficial interest in the estate.
And we think that enough is stated in the bill, and admitted or not denied in the answers, fairly to show that the complainant cannot determine to whom the estate does belong, with that degree of certainty that will preclude the idea of all risk or danger in making the conveyance to either
But it would seem from several of the cases, that a party may be allowed to resort to a bill of interpleader, and to ask the court to tell him to which of several claimants of a fund or other thing in his hands, he may of right pay or deliver it, although he might be able, by great attention and caution, to make himself secure. He may secure himself by a single suit, instead of remaining liable to as many suits as there are claimants, where one payment ought to discharge him. The object of the bill is protection from an unjust litigation, in which the party has no interest. Angell v. Haddam, 15 Ves. 244; Duke of Bolton v. Williams, 3 Bro. C. C. 297; S. C. 2 Ves. jr. 138; 6 Johns. Ch. Rep. 199.
And the bill is equally proper, although the party is not actually sued, or is sued by one only of the opposing claimants ; and although the claim of one of the defendants is actionable at law, and the Other only in equity, provided several claims have been preferred against the complainant. Richards v. Salter & a., 6 Johns. Ch. Rep. 445, and the cases there cited.
Taking this view of the facts stated in the bill and found in the case, the complainant is entitled to a decree in this court, that the bill is properly filed ; that he should file with the clerk such conveyances as would be sufficient to convey the estate and title, according to the provisions of the bond, with such covenants of assurance of title as are therein expressed, to the said Henry M. Blood, as well as to the heirs at law of Rebecca Blood, named in the bill, ready to be delivered to the person or persons entitled to receive such conveyance, as the same shall be determined by such future proceedings as shall be directed by the court and found expedient in the further, progress of the cause; and, further, that the defendants do interplead and litigate and settle the matter of controverted title to the Q,uaid place, which is shown upon the bill to exist. Indeed, this is the only de
This decree will be as effectual as to those defendants who were duly served with process, and who have not appeared or made answer to the bill as to those who are before the court. Hodges v. Smith, 1 Cox 357; 1 Mad. Ch. 177. See also note to Angell v. Hadden, 13 Ves. 247, and cases there cited.
An interpleading bill is considered as putting the defendants to contest their respective claims, just as a bill by an executor or trustee to obtain the direction of the court as to the adverse claims of the different defendants, and if at the hearing the question between the defendants is ripe for decision, the court will decide it; but if not so, will direct an action or an issue or a reference to a master, as may be best suited to the nature of the case. Such is the doctrine as laid down by Sir William Grant, master of the rolls, in Angell v. Hadden, 16 Ves. 202, (Sumner’s ed.); Story’s Eq. § 322. The question in The Duke of Bolton v. Williams, 3 Bro. C. C. 297, being ripe for decision, was decided in favor of one defendant against another, and the decree was affirmed afterwards upon a re-hearing.
In May, 1787, Lord Kenyon made a similar decree at the Rolls, in the case of Hodges v. Smith, 1 Cox 357, as stated in Angell v. Hadden, before cited. The bill, in that case, was filed by a tenant for the purpose of ascertaining to which of two different claimants he was to pay rent. One of the tenants established his title by evidence, and the other made default at the hearing. Lord Kenyon directed that the rent for the future be paid to the one, and granted a perpetual injunction as to the other.
The present case is certainly not ripe for decision. It is proper, then, for the court to point out and direct some course to bring the matter to a final hearing and determination as between the defendants. What is the appropriate course 1
The only matter before the master of the rolls was the question as to the proper mode of proceeding upon a bill of interpleader, when the question between the defendants was not ready for decision. Upon looking into the case of Aldrich v. Thompson, which is reported in 2 Bro. Ch. Rep. 149, and which was a bill of interpleader, filed by lessees against several sets of annuitants, who had distrained for rent on the plaintiff’s farms, praying that they might interplead among themselves, it was in that case referred to a master to settle the priorities among the annuitants.
In Richards v. Salter & a., 6 Johns. Ch. Rep. 445, which was a bill of interpleader, Salter, one of the defendants, answered the bill, admitting the facts stated in it, and showing a title in himself to the fund in question. The bill was taken pro confesso as to the other defendants. The case was brought to a hearing on bill and the answer of Salter. The chancellor there said: “ The defendant, Salter, has answered and set forward his right and title to the money: and the other defendants have not supported their claim. Upon this bill, the question of right may be decided in favor of one defendant and against another. If one defendant establishes a title, and the other makes default, the court will decree payment to the former, and perpetual injunction against the latter.”
A similar decision was made in Williams v. Bolton, 1 Bro. Ch. Rep. 297, and in Hodges v. Smith, 1 Cox’s Cases 357.
From the authorities, it is apparent that when, upon the bill and answer, it appears that the case is ready for decision, or the right of the case is made out, the court may, without
Perhaps in this State, if an action be not ordered, and there be facts in dispute, it may be the right of either party to have an issue framed, embracing the merits of the case, and to have it sent to the court below for trial by the jury, if application be seasonably made to the court for that purpose. Marston v. Brackett, 9 N. H. Rep. 336; Tappan v. Evans, 11 N. H. Rep. 311; Dodge v. Griswold, 12 N. H. Rep. 573.
In this case, the matter is already with a master, and nothing more is necessary to complete the direction to be given to the case than to direct the master to find and report the facts which may be proved before him, forming the grounds of claim on the part of the several claimants.
Upon the coming in of the master’s report, at the present term, it appeared thereby that previously to the year 1835, B. M. Farley, Esquire, was acquainted with and particularly interested in having Rebecca Blood, the wife of Henry M. Blood, well taken care of and supported, and by means of some business transactions between Henry M. Blood and Benjamin M. Farley, Esq., about $227 of money remained in said Farley’s hands, accruing from the sale of property assigned to him by Blood, and for which said Farley was accountable to Blood. Said Farley then assured Rebecca Blood, wife of said Henry Blood, that he would, so far as
The decree should be in favor of Blood for the following reasons.
1. The bond was a chose in action, and it has been determined that, in equity, a husband may assign a chose in action which he has in right of his wife, and which he may recover or discharge. Dane’s Ab. cap. 24, art. 24, § 6.
A husband may administer upon his deceased wife’s estate, and that he is entitled for his own use to all her chattels real, things in action, trusts, and every other species of personal property, whether actually vested in her and reduced to possession or contingent or recoverable only by action ; and in case the husband dies before he administers, the right to administer and to the property goes to the heirs
When a bond or other security is taken in the name of a married woman during coverture, the husband may elect to treat it as his own property. Thompson v. Ellsworth, 1 Barb. Ch. Rep. 624.
When a husband survives his wife, but dies without reducing her choses in action to possession, the same pass to the husband’s personal representatives, and not to the wife’s next of kin. Lee v. Wheeler, 4 Geo. 541; U. S. Dig. 1849, p. 264, § 8.
Husband and wife sell the equity of redemption in her property to a trustee, in trust to sell the same for the benefit of the grantors; it was held that, after her death, the husband held it absolutely and against the heirs at law of the wife. Siter v. McClanachan, 2 Gratt. 280; U. S. Dig. 1847, p. 298, § 21.
A husband who survives his wife is entitled to all her choses in action, whether reduced to possession in his life or not, and the administrator of his wife is trustee of the husband, and, after his death, of his personal representatives. Whitaker v. Whitaker, 6 Johns. 112. See also as to note payable to wife. 8 Mass. Rep. 229; 5 Shep. 301.
A husband may sue in bis own right, after the death of his wife, for a legacy accruing to his wife during coverture. Goddard v. Johnson, 14 Pick. 352.
A husband and wife, seized in right of his wife of an estate of inheritance, leased the same, yielding and paying rent to the grantors and their heirs, &c.; upon the death of the wife, it was held that the husband was seized of the whole estate
When the land of the wife was sold by the husband and wife, and a promissory note for the avails was taken in her name, and kept by her during her life, after which it was found in one of her drawers, and was inventoried by her husband as a part of her estate, it was held that such note, when made, became the property of the husband, and no agreement between them could be made, during coverture, which, in legal effect, would transfer, by way of gift or sale, the property in the note from the husband to the wife. 15 Conn. Rep. 587; 2 U. S. D. Sup. 120, §§ 55, 56.
Trusts in real property, which are exclusively cognizable in equity, are now, in many respects, governed by the same rules as the like estates are at law. 2 Story’s Com. on Equity 236, § 974.
2. It is an established doctrine, “where a man buys land in the name of another, and pays the consideration money, the land will generally be held by the grantee, in trust for the person who so paid the consideration money.”
There are exceptions.
1. A parent, purchasing in the name of a son, the purchase will be deemed, prima facie, intended as an advancement, so as to rebut the presumption of a resulting trust to the parent.
2. A like presumption exists in case of a purchase by a husband in the name of his wife. The same doctrine applies in the case of securities taken in the name of a child or wife. 2 Story’s Com. on Equity 32, §§ 1201-1205. But this presumption may be repelled by evidence. 2 Story on Equity 447, § 1204; 2 Madd. 101; Baker v. Vining, 17 Shep. 121.
3. The evidence taken in this case repels the presumption that Blood intended to secure the Q,uaid place to his wife, or .that he caused the bond to be given as an advance
4. Prior to the execution of this bond, there was a resulting trust raised between Farley and Blood, as to the Q,uaid place, because Blood had purchased it in the name of Farley, and paid a part of the consideration money. Did Blood, by assenting to the wishes of Mr. Farley, that this bond might be made to Blood’s wife, intend it as and for an advancement to her, — a provision to her, technically speaking ? Blood denies it in his answer, and the evidence shows he was, at most, willing said bond should be given, that his wife might have a support during life. Besides, nothing could pass by the bond, as there is no evidence it was ever delivered to Mrs. Blood, or that she ever had the possession of it. Now the giving of the bond, and the possession of it by Blood, might furnish evidence to Blood that Mr. Farley was not the absolute owner of the Q,uaid place, although the legal title was in him.
1. It is contended that when the consideration money was all paid to Farley, according to the terms of the bond, the property in equity, vested in Mrs. Blood, and Farley became merely her trustee, and that the property descended, on her death,to her legal heirs,to theexclusion of herhusband. 1 Fonblanque 414; 1 Dane 102, § 34; 242, § 2; 4 Dane 250, 291, § 9 ; 7 Dane 537, §§ 12, 13; 2 U. S. Equity Dig. 6, § 48 ; 5 § 42.
2. The wife cannot be a trustee for her husband, but if it be purchase land in her name, it will be deemed an advancement and provision for her. 2 Fonblanque 129.
3. A resulting trust will not arise to a person merely because he paid the purchase money, if it was not the intention of either party that the legal estate should vest in him. 1 Foster’s Rep. 489; Wallace v. Campbell, 12 N. H. Rep. 362.
It appears from the master’s report that the Q,uaid place was purchased by Mr. Farley, and paid for, in part, with the money of Blood in his hands at the time of the purchase. The residue was advanced at the request of Blood, by Mr. Farley, who took a conveyance to himself, and gave his bond to Rebecca Blood, with condition to convey it to her, upon Henry M. Blood’s paying the amount which had been advanced, at his request, in the purchase. Blood paid the amount so advanced by Farley. The bond was, at the first, delivered to Blood and retained by him, and he claimed the right, after the payment to Farley, to sell the estate.
Upon this state of facts, it was agreed between Farley and Blood that the former should continue to hold the estate as he had done, for the benefit and support of Mrs. Blood, and to furnish her with a home during her life. This was done with the knowledge and assent of Mrs. Blood, and had from the beginning been the understanding of Blood and Farley, and the title to the estate has remained in Farley to the present time.
We regard the estate, under these circumstances, as hold-en in trust for Henry M. Blood, at least after the death of Mrs. Blood. If it might be regarded as intended as an advancement or provision for Mrs. Blood, upon the face of the transaction, yet that presumption is repelled by the facts of the case as found by the master, which go distinctly to the effect of disproving an intention to extend such provision beyond the term of her life.
If it be regarded as settled that land, purchased in the
The evidence, in this case, fully repels the idea that Blood intended that this estate should be secured to his wife, or held in trust for her, beyond the use of it for her support during her life, or that the bond was made running to her, for any other purpose than to secure that precise object.
At her death, then, all right in her to the estate or bond ceased. We regard Blood, therefore, as being entitled to a conveyance from Farley of the premises in question.
Let his deed, therefore, of the Q,uaid place to Blood, made and deposited with the clerk, in pursuance of a former decree, be delivered to Blood, and the deeds to the heirs at law be returned to the complainant.
After the opinion in this case was announced in favor of the validity of the claim of Blood to the estate in question, as between him and the heirs of Mrs. Blood, a motion was made by Farley for costs of the suit of interpleader to be adjudged to him ; and amotion was made by Henry M. Blood for a decree for costs.
Upon the authorities, the question of costs is one of easy solution, and the principles governing it of ready and familiar application. If the plaintiff conduct himself properly, his costs will uniformly be allowed him, either out of the funds in his hands, when there are any such which
And in reference to the question who among the defendants shall pay, the rule is that the defendant who improperly raises the double claim, making the bill of interpleader necessary, shall pay the costs of the plaintiff and of the defendant who is the successful party. Beams on Costs 37, § 6; Mortimies v. Helmath, 2 Ves. & Bea. (2d ed.) 412; Dawson v. Hardcastle, 2 Cox 278; Edenson v. Roberts, 2 Cox 280; Hodges v. Smith, 1 Cox 357; Fairbrother v. Prattent, 5 Price 303; Aldridge v. Thompson, 2 Bro. C. C. 149; Cowtan v. Williams, 9 Ves. 107; Aldridge v. Mesner, 6 Ves. 418. In the last cited case it was said that “ if there was no fund in court costs would be given against the party who occasioned ” the suit. And if the plaintiff improperly conduct himsel'f, he will not be entitled to his costs. Brymer v. Buchanan, 1 Cox 425, note.
In Paris v. Gilham, Cooper 56, it is holden that the plaintiff has a lien upon the fund, if the suit is properly instituted. And when the right to compel the defendants to inter-plead is not disputed, the plaintiff may obtain his costs on motion. Jones v. Gilham, Cooper 49. When the right is disputed, costs will not be given to the plaintiff before the hearing. Jones v. Gilham, ub. sup.
In Seaton’s Forms of Decrees in Equity 341, note 3, it is said that the court will order the defendants, by whom the suit has been occasioned, to pay the costs of the plaintiff and of the other defendants. And Dawson v. Hardcastle, 2 Cox 278, and Cowan v. Williams, 9 Ves. 108, are referred to in support of the doctrine.
On the whole, we are of the opinion that Farley is entitled to his costs up to the time of the decree made ordering the defendants to interplead, and sending the case to the master, against the heirs of Mrs. Blood ; and that the other defendant, Henry M. Blood, is entitled to his costs also against said heirs.
A decree must, therefore, be entered accordingly.
