21 S.E.2d 64 | Ga. | 1942
1. A deed purporting to convey certain property described only as "all of that certain portion of land on Saint Simons Island, Glynn Co., Ga., bounded as follows, viz.: starting at an oak tree at a point above Ebow Landing on Dunbars Creek, hence along said creek in a northwesterly direction six hundred and fifty (650) feet to a marsh, hence in an *133 easterly direction six hundred (600) feet to a cedar post, then south six hundred (600) feet to a cedar post, then westerly to the point of starting, containing three hundred and sixty thousand (360,000) feet, more or less," and not otherwise identifying the same by naming adjoining landowners or as any particular known parcel or tract, is insufficient to show title; and the decree registering title to property based upon such a conveyance is erroneous.
2. It appearing that the findings of the examiner, showing title in the applicant, are supported by the evidence, it is directed that judgment be entered decreeing the registration of title as prayed in the petition.
Mrs. Gould showed title to a large tract of land on St. Simons Island, known as the "Black Banks" place, in Mrs. Deborah Abbott Gould. This included the small tract of about 81/4 acres now the subject of registration, and was conveyed by Mrs. Deborah Abbott Gould in 1887 to Joseph E. Gould, who in turn conveyed it to the applicant identified, and described the smaller tract for the purpose of having the title registered as follows: "All of that certain lot, tract, or parcel of land situate, lying, and being in the County of Glynn and State of Georgia, and on the Island of St. Simons therein, beginning at a stake in a mud flat near the center *134 of what is known as the Ebo tract on said Island, and running thence north 620 feet to an iron on the division line between said Ebo tract and the lands of the Glynn Haven Estates Inc., and running thence north 67 3/4 degrees west 650 feet to a live oak; thence 202 feet to an iron on the edge of the east bank of Dunbar Creek, and thence along the meanderings of the east bank of said Dunbar Creek to a stake which is on a course south 67 3/4 degrees east and 703 feet distant from the beginning point, and thence south 67 3/4 degrees east 703 feet to the point of beginning, all of which will more fully appear by reference to the map or plat made by W. N. Gramling, C. E., and County Surveyor, in September, 1936, a copy of which said plat is hereto attached and made a part hereof for all purposes of further description, the tract sought to be registered being the tract shown on said map as "claimed by Jas. D. Gould Jr., said tract containing 8.28 acres of land."
In 1881 Mrs. Deborah Abbott Gould executed to James Dunn Gould her warranty deed to certain property described as follows: "A certain portion of land on Saint Simons Island, Glynn County, Georgia, bounded as follows, viz.: starting at an oak tree at a point above `Elion Landing' on Dunbar's Creek, thence along said creek in a northwesterly direction six hundred and fifty (650) feet to a marsh, thence in an easterly direction six hundred (600) feet to a cedar post, thence south six hundred (600) feet to a cedar post, thence westerly to the point of starting. Containing 360,000 feet, more or less." The grantee in that deed conveyed by identical description to James D. Gould Jr., the cross-applicant, who contends that this is the same property sought to be registered, and that by reason of his prior recorded deed from the common grantor he is entitled to registration.
The applicant for registration under this Code title must "show when, how and from whom it was acquired, a description of title by which he claims the land, and an abstract of title. The applicant must allege and prove good title in himself, to warrant a decree awarding registration of title. Where the applicant for registration does not show that he has a good title to the land, his petition should be denied." Rock Run Iron Co. v. Miller,
"A deed is not invalid where the description is imperfect, if the instrument refers to extrinsic data by means of which the land may be identified. Likewise an ambiguous descriptive clause may be aided by aliunde evidence. But such imperfect or ambiguous descriptions must not be confounded with a description utterly lacking in definiteness. A deed which fails to describe any particular land or to furnish any key to the confines of the land purporting to be conveyed is void." Luttrell v. Whitehead,
"If the description is so indefinite that no particular tract of land is pointed out by the instrument itself, the description must be held so defective as to prevent the instrument from operating as a conveyance of title. Huntress v. Portwood,
"For a deed must itself contain descriptive words with respect to its subject-matter, such as will enable a third person to apply the same to the locus in quo without resorting to any secret and undisclosed intention on the part of the parties thereto." Huntress v. Portwood,
Under the foregoing rules, which have been applied in Hamil
v. Gormley,
Another case in which the description was quite similar to that of the description involved in this case is Gatins v.Angier,
Direction is given that judgment be entered based upon the findings *138
of the examiner in favor of the applicant. Cf. Holton v.Lankford,
Judgment reversed, with direction. All the Justices concur.