It was objected, in the first place, that the testimony tending to show that the North line of the Belden lot and the South line of the Gross lot were identical, could not be received. As it was admitted, that Frink owned both those lots, and as it was claimed, by one party, that by the first deed, he conveyed one of them only, and by the other party, that his deed covered more than one lot, it would seem as if both parties must require the proof that these lines were the same; as it is proved, that the lots were adjoining, and of course, that settling the North boundary of one lot would ascertain the South line of the other. The objection, however, seemed to proceed upon the ground, that in this way, the de
But if it is admitted, that the defendant, by his plea, acknowledges that the plaintiff is owner, as well as in possession, it cannot be seriously contended, that he admits, that the persons under whom he claimed, owned this ground in the year 1815. That is the fact, which the defendant claims to disprove ; and that fact is not alleged in the declaration: of course, upon no principle is it admitted, by the plea.
Again; it is objected, that the right of way proved is variant from that stated in the plea, because the right of way claimed is 14 feet and 5 inches, and that proved is but 3 feet, 5 inches; and that it is for carriages, carts, &c. for which this cannot be. As to the width of the way, it will appear, on examining the plea, that it is not stated: — of course, there can be no variance. If it is claimed, therefore, that the plea is defective, that is a question arising upon the record. The width of the way does in fact vary from the width of the way granted; but the defendant relies upon a principle, which has been often recognized, that if a grant will not convey all that was intended, it shall not therefore be entirely void, but shall be construed to convey all that it was in the power of the grantor to convey. Thus, if one having an estate for life, conveys a fee, the estate for life shall pass. Here, if eleven feet of this land was covered by a mortgage, that shall not operate so as to defeat the conveyance of the other 3 feet, 5 inches ; — nor because it is not wide
The plaintiff further claimed, that the way was misdescri-bed ; because the plea describes the way as bounded Southerly on the defendant’s land, whereas it is said he now claims to be bounded on Frink’s land.
I do not so understand the claim. The defendant claims, that Frink’s deed to Kilbourn conveyed the Gross lot only ; that when he conveyed the Belden lot, he granted only 34 feet, 7 inches, on Bank street, thus leaving a piece between the two grants, of 3 feet, 5 inches ; that the way covers the ground left between the two lots conveyed, and is bounded Southerly on the line of the land conveyed to Fosdick, under whom the defendant claims. Both parties have proceeded upon the ground, that if there was any right of way there, it must extend Southerly to the land now the defendant’s.
But the principal objection is to the charge of the court. The plaintiff claims no title, but that which Kilbourn had ; we must, then, look to Kilbourn’s deed, to ascertain the extent of the plaintiff’s rights. That deed bounds him South on the Belden lot, and describes the granted premises as then occupied and possessed by the grantor, and as being the same estate which he purchased of Asahel Gross.
The defendant claims, that this deed conveyed nothing more than the Gross lot. The plaintiff claims, that as Frink placed a post in front, on Bank street, 34 feet, 7 inches, from Lee’s corner, and 7 inches from the store, this must be considered as the monument, which must mark the extent of Frink’s possession, and govern and controul other expressions in the deed. Now, if this post was, by the grantor, placed there, as a monument between the Gross and Belden lots, there can be no doubt, that the plaintiff’s construction would be correct. But it must be noticed, that there was no fence between the Gross and Bel-den lots, or, at least, near that part of the lots about which the controversy arises, and no particular evidence as to the extent of Frink’s possession, other than that his front fence extended to this post. Nor was there any evidence, that the post was erected before he owned the Belden lot; but it was admitted, that it was done while he was owner of both these lots. Nor
Now, as the argument of the plaintiff has proceeded upon the ground, that this post was a monument designating the line of the Gross lot, and the South line of the lot conveyed to Kilbourn, there must be some fact other than the erection of the post itself to prove it. There is nothing in the deed alluding to this post; nor has any witness spoken of it as a monument.
It is said, further, by the plaintiff, that this post tends to shew the extent of Frink’s possession. But as there was no fence extending Westerly from this post, it certainly would be very slight evidence of the line of possession. Admitting, however, that this post was in the line of the lot in Frink’s possession, that must be the line of the Gross lot, or not. If it is, then no injustice was done to the plaintiff in the charge ; for the jury were directed to ascertain the line of that lot. But if the line of Frink’s possession was not the line of the Gross lot, then a question arises, as both these qualifications or descriptions are in the deed, which shall govern? The words are, “bounded South on the Belden lot, being the same estate and premises, which I at present occupy and possess, and being the same estate which I purchased of Asahel Gross.” Here are three circumstances to fix the boundary — his possession, — the line of the Belden lot, — and the fact that it is the same lot by him purchased of Gross. Now, the rule is, that where there are several descriptions in a deed, such a construction must be given to the deed as will, if possible, satisfy each. Now, if the line of possession does not, as is supposed, correspond with the other descriptions, viz. of the Une of the Belden lot and the lot bought
It is farther said, that the court withdrew from the jury the important fact of the location of that post in front, as evidence tending to shew the line of the Gross lot. Such, certainly, was not intended ; and it is believed, that such could not have been the effect of the instructions given.
The court did not attempt to state to the jury all the evidence, which shewed the location of the Gross lot, or if that was done, it does not appear to this court. The point of view, in which it was presented to the jury, was, — that whatever was the line of possession, or whatever weight the location of that post could have for other purposes, it could not controul the description in the deed ; that the Gross lot only was intended to be conveyed; but that the situation of that South line was a question of fact exclusively for the jury.
Upon a careful review of the several questions submitted by this motion, I am not able to discover, that the court below was inconect. I think, therefore, there can be no new trial.
New trial not to be granted.