Law v. Hempstead

| Conn. | Jul 15, 1833

Williams J.

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 defendant was attempting to prove, that the plaintiff did not own the ground over which the way passed ; and this leads to the_ consideration of another objection, that the defendant’s plea admits the title of the plaintiff to the land over which the way is claimed. The plaintiff, in his declaration, claims to be the owner and in possession of the land, on which the trespass is claimed to have been committed. By his plea, the defendant admits the plaintiff’s right to recover, unless the facts presented in the plea prevent it. He admits every thing that the plaintiff was bound to prove, had there been no special plea. And surely, the plaintiff can ask no more. What, then, was the plaintiff bound to have proved, in this case 1 That he was in possession of this piece of ground ; for it is a well settled principle, that trespass is a mere possessory action. Lambert v. Stroother, Willes 221. By the admission of this fact, then, the defendant admits all that is necessary for the plaintiff’s recovery ; and consequently, all that can be required.

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 enough for ordinary carriages, shall the grantor, or those claiming under him, be permitted to say, that it is not the way granted. The grantee may use such carriages upon it as the width of the way will allow.

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 was there any evidence tending to show, that he intended thereby to designate the South line of the Gross lot; or that he. ever so called or considered it. Nor is there any single fact tending to shew, that at that time, when Frink owned both these lots, he could have any particular object in keeping the lines distinctly marked, as if they were owned by different persons. Unless some particular object is shown, it is rather to be supposed, that he would erect the fence which was to front his house, and the posts of the fence, where his taste or convenience dictated, rather than by an ancient line, which was important only while the land was the property of different owners, and which could be of no possible use, when the property belonged to one individual.

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 0f Gross, — that cannot be taken as the line given by the deed; . . „ , . . , it does not satisfy the several descriptions. Rut by construing the deed to include the Gross lot only, every part of it is satisfied. It is bounded South on the Belden lot; it is the lot purchased of Asahel Gross ; and it is the lot (though perhaps not all the lot,) then occupied by the grantor. By the plaintiff’s construction, it is not bounded on the Belden lot, and is not the lot purchased of Gross only, but is also part of the Bel-den lot; and thus the first and last description in the deed, is rendered nugatory, to support what the plaintiff claims to be the true construction of the second.

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.

The other Judges were of the same opinion, except Peters, J., who dissented.

New trial not to be granted.