Lanfair v. Lanfair
35 Mass. 299
Mass.
1836
Check Treatment
Putnam J.

delivered the opinion of the Court. The main question is, whether the plaintiff is entitled to recover her dower in the estate of Samuel Lanfair, her late deceased husband ; and that question depends upon the fact, whether or not he was seised, during the coverture, of such an estate in the premises whereof his widow was dowable. There would be no doubt in the case if it depended entirely upon the deed of Leonard to Samuel Lanfair; for that conveys a fee simple estate. But the case finds, that Samuel made an instrument under seal, granting a freehold estate to Leonard, at the same time when the deed of Leonard to Samuel was delivered *303These deeds are to be construed together, in order to arrive at their true meaning and legal effect.

On the part of the tenant it is contended, that as Samuel, the grantee, reconveyed a freehold estate in the premises, he was seised but for an instant, and if so, his widow is not dowable ; that after the conveyance to Leonard of the freehold estate, Samuel Lanfair was seised only of a vested remainder, of which a widow is not dowable ; which result would follow, .f Samuel, during the coverture, had only a seisin of a vested remainder of a fee simple.

The demandant contends, that the tenant derives his title under the administrator of the estate of Samuel, and that the right of the demandant to dower was reserved and excepted in the deed of the administrator to the grantor of the tenant, whose rights were acquired by the tenant, subject to such exception and reservation.

The demandant further contends, that the instrument made ny Samuel to Leonard was in effect a mortgage, and that the estate of Leonard, the mortgagee, has determined by his death, and so the demandant is entitled to dower in the same, as she would have been if no such deed of mortgage had been given. The tenant denies that the instrument given by Samuel to Leonard was a mortgage, and relies upon Moore v. Esty, 5 New Hamp. R. 479, and Fisk v. Eastman, 5 New Hamp. R. 240.

The demandant further contends, that if the instrument of reconveyance was not a mortgage, yet inasmuch as it reconveyed only a part of the estate to Leonard, leaving. Samuel seised of the remainder, which was a valuable interest, it disproves the allegation of instantaneous seisin.

We proceed to examine the effect of the instrument given by Samuel to Leonard, to ascertain whether or not it is a mortgage.

It is to be construed with reference to the whole instrument, as connected with the deed of Leonard to Samuel, and as a part of the transaction. An enlarged and liberal, rather than a microscopic view, is to be taken, in order to ascertain and carry into effect the intent of the parties. It expresses, upon its face, that it is given by Samuel to Leonard Lanfair for the *304purpose of securing to Leonard the maintenance, which Samuel was to provide for Leonard and his wife. It is a security. And this is a sine qua non of a mortgage. If the instrument be made as a security for the payment of a debt, or the performance of a duty, it is a mortgage. And the substance, and not the mere form, of the instrument is to be regarded. It is of no consequence, that it is called by a wrong name The effect of the instrument will ascertain its legal chars: ter The words employed by Samuel are, that he “ doth hereby demise, grant and to farm let ” to Leonard, the premisés which Leonard had conveyed to Samuel, “ to have and to bold the said demised premises, with their appurtenances, lor and during the term of the natural life of the said Leonard.” Now this is a grant of a freehold estate to Leonard ; and if nothing more were contained in the instrument, it would be an absolute grant of a freehold estate. But there is much more and important matter, to show the purpose for which the grant was made. It is said, that the deeds by Leonard to Samuel, and the lease, (as it is called,) were given for this purpose, to wit, that “ the said Samuel Lanfair should maintain the said Leonard Lanfair and his present wife, during the whole term of their natural life, and provide for them during the whole of said term, sufficient and comfortable meat, drink, clothing, lodging, nursing and medical aid, both in sickness and health, suitable to their age and circumstances in life, with the use of such part of the dwelling-house upon the premises as may be necessary for their use, and such as they may choose.” Here the intent is manifest. If Samuel did what he undertook to do, then, by the operation of law, the instrument was to he void ; but otherwise, in force. It is true, that those uerds are not written out, but the words before recited, viz. that the lease was given as security, &c. are inserted ; and if a deed be given as collateral security, it would follow, that petformance should divest the right of the grantee in the thing conveyed. Such a conveyance necessarily implies, that it is upon condition.

Now it could not be, and has not been questioned, but that a man may make a valid mortgage of an estate for life, or for years, as well as of an estate, or part of an estate, in fee *305as collateral security. After a full consideration of the cases cited by the counsel, vve are all very clearly of opinion, that the instrument before described, of Samuel to Leonard Lanfair, was, in legal effect, a mortgage upon condition to perform the duties therein set forth. So far as concerns the mortgage, the title of the mortgager is good, except against the mortgagee. The demandant has made no release of her dower. And the case finds, that Leonard Lanfair, the mortgagee, deceased long before this action was brought. So the freehold estate, which was mortgaged, has terminated. The claim of the demandant to dower is not now affected by that mortgage. The tenant does not claim any thing in the estate under Leonard Lanfair, but, as before stated, only under a conveyance by the administrator of the mortgager. But the claim to dower is paramount.

Being all of the opinion before expressed, we do not think it necessary to decide upon the other points presented for consideration.

The judgment of the Court is, that the demandant is entitled to recover. And according to the agreement of the parties, the tenant must be defaulted.