83 Ga. 301 | Ga. | 1889
Mitchell and his wife Rebecca, in their own right, aud Mitchell as trustee under the homestead laws for his wife and minor children, all constituting his family, brought complaint against Fullington for a tract of land, claiming the land as part of a homestead set apart to them on January 12th, 1870. On the trial, the-original homestead papers were offered in evidence, and were objected to by the defendant upon several grounds. The court sustained the objection. The plaintiffs then offered to amend by striking the names of all the bene
1. The only grounds of error assigned in the bill of exceptions are, the rejection of the evidence offered to show that the deed was made as security for a debt, and that the debt had been paid, and the refusal to allow the amendment praying- for cancellation. There was no error in rejecting the evidence offered, under the facts disclosed in the record. The record does not show whether the deed made by Mitchell and his wife to Fullington was made under section 1969 of the code or not, If made under that section, Fullington should have executed a bond for titles to Mitchell and his wife. The record does not show that such a bond for titles was given by Fullington. Nor does it show that the plaintiffs tendered the deed to Fullington in evidence so as to inform the court of the terms of the deed. Nor does it show whether the evidence offered was parol or documentary. Nor does it show whether or not the plaintiffs retained possession of the land when they made .the deed to Fullington. Judging from the facts disclosed in the record, the deed was not made under section 1969 of the code. If not made under that section, but made for the purpose of securing, a debt, it
2. .Nor was there any error in refusing tl^e amendment offered praying for a cancellation of the deed. This prayer was the only amendment proposed which was disallowed, according to the record. A simple prayer for cancellation, without- showing the grounds upon which the prayer is predicated, is not sufficient. The amendment should have described the deed, when the deed was made, by whom it was made, the terms thereof, and the consideration.. It should have shown that the deed was made as a security for a debt, and that the debt had been paid. It was not sufficient simply to pray for a cancellation without describing the deed or giving any reason in the amendment for its cancellation.
In affirming this judgment, we do not intend to in-, timate that the plaintiffs have no right of recovery if. the deed was made as security for a debt and they have . paid off the debt. If these facts are true, and if they, commence the proper action, they would be entitled to recover the land. Judgment affirmed.,