Rowell v. Jewett

69 Me. 293 | Me. | 1879

Barrows, J.

The transactions out of which this suit has arisen are mostly stated in the report of the case of Rowell v. Mitchell 68 Maine, 21.

That was a suit at law, originally brought by Eliza Mitchell, the mother of the plaintiff, and after her death prosecuted by the plaintiff as her devisee, for the possession of an undivided half of a certain farm, against this defendant and Fifield Mitchell, who was originally a tenant in common with Eliza, of the said farm, which the plaintiff here seeks to redeem from their joint mortgage given to Scamman Bnrrill, and now held by the defendant.

The plaintiff was non-suited in that action, upon the ground that even assuming that she, as Eliza’s devisee, had established as against Fifield Mitchell her right to recover an undivided half of the farm, by reason of the forfeiture of his estate under Eliza’s conditional deed of that half to him, and though he might be precluded by the pleadings from setting up his tenancy under JTewett as a defense, still she could not maintain her action at law for the possession against this defendant Jewett, who had, as against her, the rights of a mortgagee against a mortgagor, nor against his tenant.

The effect of this view of the case was to leave it undetermined as between the plaintiff and Fifield Mitchell, whether she had the right to redeem which originally belonged to Eliza Mitchell as owner of an undivided half of the farm mortgaged, or whether it still belonged to said Fifield under the conditional deed to him from Eliza.

Subject to the mortgage here sought to be redeemed, Fifield Mitchell, April 2, 1870, mortgaged an undivided half the farm to the defendant, to secure a promissory note of that date, for $J85, payable in two years, with interest at 6 per cent for the first year, and 9 per cent for the second and thereafterwards until paid ; and afterwards, August 31, 1871, while in possession of the whole farm, quitclaimed his interest in the same to said defendant, taking back an agreement of the same date signed by the defendant, but not (so far as appears) under seal, and never recorded, to give said Fifield a quitclaim deed of the interest thus conveyed to him by said Fifield, if he should pay to the defendant within six months the sum of two hundred and fifteen dollars, with interest at 8 per cent until paid, and also pay the aforesaid note secured by mortgage at maturity. It does not appear that he has done either.

In this condition of things this bill in equity for redemption from the mortgage given by Eliza and Fifield Mitchell, is brought against Jewett, and the case is presented on bill, answer and proof consisting mainly of the evidence given at the trial of the before mentioned suit at law, used here by agreement of parties.

Whether the plaintiff has a right of redemption from this mortgage depends on the proof of a breach of one or more of the conditions in the conditional deed from her mother to Fifield Mitchell, and a re-entry to claim a forfeiture by reason of such breach.

We think the evidence clearly shows a breach of more than one of the conditions, if not of all.

Touching the condition to save David and Eliza Mitchell harmless from the Burrill notes, the respondent argues that it was performed because David in liis lifetime was not called upon to pay anything on them, and Eliza being a married woman was not liable, because they were given before the statute of 1866, c. 52.

But Eliza’s half of the farm was bound by her mortgage for the payment of the notes, though she might not be personally liable thereon. Brookings v. White, 49 Maine, 479.

We cannot regard it as a fulfillment of that condition to suffer one of the notes to remain unpaid so many years after it became due, accumulating interest which must be paid out of her property in case a breach of the other conditions of her deed to Fifield made it necessary for her to re-enter to procure the means of support, or to pay the marriage portion of the daughters. The condition substantially required Fifield Mitchell to relieve the property from the incumbrauce of the mortgage within a reasonable time. Ross v. Tremaine, 2 Met. 495. Fiske v. Chandler, 30 Maine, 82. Hayden v. Stoughton, 5 Pick. 534.

And that condition was not and never has been performed.

The condition for the payment of the marriage portions to the daughters made it the duty of Fifield Mitchell (if he would save it) to pay or tender the sums specified within a reasonable time after being notified of their marriage.

There is no satisfactory proof that Zilpha ever intended to waive the payment to her. But if there had been, nothing short of a tender and refusal of the $100 could be regarded as a performance on the- part of Fifield Mitchell.

Though Zilpha was pecuniarily interested in the condition, she had no such legal interest in it as would enable her to waive a tender of performance. Gray v. Blan4hard, 8 Pick. 290-292.

The condition was one which it was competent for David and Eliza Mitchell to make in their conveyance, and they were the only-parties who could absolutely and entirely dispense with it. It cannot be said upon the testimony here that Zilpha in any way refused the money, for it was never tendered, or that she hindered or obstructed the performance of the condition. It was not necessary for her or any one else to demand it. Whitten v. Whitten, 38 N. H. 127. Nor can silence be construed into a waiver. Gray v. Blanchard, ubi supra. This condition also was broken.

While upon some points the testimony touching the performance of the condition for the support of David and Eliza Mitchell is conflicting, an examination of it satisfies us that Eifield Mitchell broke this condition also, in more ways than one: firstly, by the unfilial and undutiful treatment of both his parents, and a cold neglect that was the reverse of the comfortable support stipulated for, and which would have amounted to a breach, even if the condition could be construed as one requiring them to receive their support on the farm. It cannot be so construed, and gave the beneficiaries the right to select their place of residence, within reasonable limits as to cost and distance. Wilder v. Whittemore, 15 Mass. 262. Thayer v. Richards, 19 Pick. 398. Pettee v. Case, 2 Allen, 546.

It is urged that Eliza Mitchell waived all past breaches by calling for and receiving some small supplies in July, 1873, a few weeks before she finally left and went to live with another son a few miles distant, with whom she remained until her death. We do not think that a course of neglect and unkindness, persisted in until the heart of a mother is alienated from her son to the point of leaving him and taking refuge elsewhere, should be regarded as in any part condoned by the fact that, while the process of alienation was going on, the mother received some of the supplies which it was the duty of the son not merely to furnish, but to accompany with the kindness which civilization is apt to teach even coarse and brutal men to manifest to their parents. The testimony of Lowell Wheeler and others indicates a course of vulgar and profane abuse, of such a description that it is no wonder the mother should declare that she had rather call upon the town than on such a son to supply her wants.

It is not every case of reception of portions of what is due under the contract that will amount to a waiver. Frost v. Butler, 7 Maine, 225. And if the position of the defendant on this point -could be sustained, there would still remain a breach by reason of the refusal and neglect to provide for the support of the mother, with her other son, iii addition to the other breaches previously noticed.

We are satisfied that Eliza Mitchell had good grounds for re-entering, and claiming a forfeiture under the conditional deed as she did. What she did and said to Eifield Mitchell at that time was sufficient for that purpose. The entry seems to have been for the whole, though made on only one of the parcels embraced in the conditional deed. Stearns Real Act., 42, 43, §§ 17, 18. Hawkes v. Brigham, 16 Gray, 565, and cases cited. Jenks v. Walton, 64 Maine, 97.

The defendants’ counsel urges that in lieu of the forfeiture which the mother claimed, there should be a decree for pecuniary compensation to be made for the loss and expense growing out of the breach of the conditions by Eifield Mitchell. With the full equity powers that the court now has under Stat. 1874, c. 175, doubtless it can relieve against such forfeitures where the proper sum to be paid is susceptible of definite calculation, and the breach was not gross nor wilful.

The pecuniary equivalent for some of the breaches might be readily calculated, but this cannot be said in respect to the profane abuse and heartless neglect which embittered the declining years of David and Eliza Mitchell, and at last induced the mother to claim a forfeiture against her son. There is nothing in the evidence before us which should lead us to intervene to protect Eifield Mitchell or his grantee against the legal consequences of his unfilial conduct.

Wc think the plaintiff has established her title to an undivided half of the mortgaged premises, and, this settled, her right to redeem from the mortgage is not controverted.

Out of the peculiar relation in which this respondent stands as respects the title, two questions of practical importance arise, which remain to be determined.

The mortgage on which the respondent in the outset advanced his money, and which the complainant seeks to redeem, covers the undivided half of the farm originally belonging to Fifield Mitchell, as well as that which belongs to the complainant. Relying upon a subsequent quitclaim deed from Eifield Mitched, the respondent has advanced other sums besides those due on the mortgage.

The respondent’s security upon Eifield’s half ought not to be disturbed. When the complainant has a decree for redemption, what shall be its terms %

The complainant asks that the respondent may be ordered, upon payment of what may be found due him, to assign and deliver the mortgage and note to her, or to release to her all his right, title and interest, under and by virtue thereof, which amounts to the same thing.

But there seems to be no good reason why he should be compelled, at the plaintiff’s instance, to part with whatever title he may have to the half of the farm upon which she has no claim, unless she is compelled to pay the whole of the mortgage debt to relieve her half from the incumbrance. If her request is complied with, it would seem that the respondent, holding a quitclaim deed from Fifield Mitchell, would stand in the same position as to the right of redemption which she now holds, and have a right to redeem from her, and so on in endless succession. Such a result would be futile.

All that equity can require of the respondent seems to be that he should release her undivided half from the mortgage, on her paying1 half the amount of the mortgage debt remaining due.

It remains to -be determined whether a decree to that effect can properly and safely be made between the parties now before the court.

Fifield Mitchell, after having made one mortgage of an undivided half of the farm to the respondent, subject to the one here to be redeemed, to obtain further advances from him, gave him a quitclaim deed of all his interest in the premises, taking back an agreement (not under seal) to re-convey upon payment of certain sums, at specified times, which have not been paid. This last transaction did not amount to a mortgage. Jewett v. Bailey, 5 Maine, 87. French v. Sturdivant, 8 Maine, 246. Purrington v. Pierce, 38 Maine, 447.

By Fifield’s deed his legal title, interest and estate passed to and rested in the respondent. Has he, nevertheless, such an equitable interest therein, or is he so situated in relation to the property and this controversy, that he ought to be made a party to these proceedings before a final decree is passed ?

The general rule touching such questions is thus stated in 2 Story’s Eq. Jur. 745, § 1526: “ The direct and immediate parties having a legal interest are those only who can be required to be made parties in a suit at law. But courts of equity frequently require all persons who have remote and future interests, or equitable interests only, or who are directly affected by the decree, to be made parties, and they will not, if they are within the jurisdiction and capable of being made parties, proceed to decide the cause without them.

“ It is the great object of courts of equity to put an end to litigation ; and to settle, if possible, in a single suit, the rights of all parties interested or affected by the subject matter in controversy.”

Prior to the Statute of 1874, c. 175, giving this court full equity jurisdiction, Fifield Mitchell could not have been regarded as having an equitable interest in this matter according to the doctrine laid down in Richardson v. Woodbury, 43 Maine, 206, 210, 211.

But the reason assigned in the last named case, and in the cases therein cited and commented upon, why the court could not regard a deed absolute and unconditional in its terms, but made in fact to secure the payment of a loan, as a mortgage, was “ the limited equity power of the court.”

The remark of Whitman, C. J., in Thomaston Bank v. Stimpson, 21 Maine, 195, that “ no doubt can be entertained that a court, having general equity jurisdiction, would regard such a conveyance as a mortgage,” is quoted with apparent approval.

Gessante rations, cessat etiam lex. Under the present statute the court has power to recognize the true character of Fifield Mitchell’s quitclaim deed to the respondent. The whole course of dealing between said Mitchell and Jewett shows that it was never designed by them that Jewett should hold this farm (said to be worth $4,000), except as security for the moneys that he let Mitchell have t’o the amount, as he stated it, of $1,225.

The testimony of the respondent that, “ as the time expired, I told him to go to work and keep the farm up, and I would wait on him. If he wanted to redeem, I would wait on him and give him a chance. He has been in possession of the place ever since under me,” shows how the respondent regarded it, and that he did not consider time as of the essence of his contract to re-convey upon payment of sums found due.

Eifield Mitchell apparently has an equitable interest in the premises liable to be affected by the decree for redemption in favor of the plaintiff, and ought to be made a party to the proceeding for that reason.

Moreover, he should be made a party in order to accomplish what is said to be “ the great object of courts of equity,” the settlement in one suit of the conflicting claims of all parties concerned in the subject matter, thus putting an end to litigation respecting it. Fifield Mitchell appears to be still in possession of the farm, doubtless not only claiming a right to redeem from the mortgage and conveyance, held by Jewett, but denying any breach of the conditions of the deed from Eliza Mitchell to him.

Unless he is made a party to this suit another action at law between the plaintiff and him, for the possession, is inevitable. So long as he is not a party here, should he redeem from Jewett, the question as to the breach of the conditional deed must still be regarded as open to him.

In Grant v. Duane, 9 Johns. 611, Thompson, J., says, speaking of those who were claiming a right to redeem, “ it cannot be allowed to them to speculate upon tire, claims of others, and redeem at their peril, and .then litigate with those who may have the right.” Whether this right of redemption which the plaintiff claims really belongs to her or Eifield Mitchell must be definitely settled here and now between them, in a manner that will preclude further litigation between said Eifield and either of the present parties.

It is true that apparently all which Eifield Mitchell could present bearing upon the questions here discussed is before us. These parties agreed to make the testimony in the suit at law brought against said Mitchell and Jewett, in which the testimony of the defendants was received and a large mass of evidence pro and con touching the question of a breach of the conditions of the deed of David and Eliza to Eifield Mitchell was presented and canvassed by the counsel of said Mitchell, a part of this case.

But until he has been regularly made a party to this suit it can not be judicially known that he has nothing more to urge to defeat the plaintiff’s claim and no decree touching his right and interest can or ought to pass. The control of that interest acquired by Jewett, though absolute according to the terms of the conveyance, is not final and complete, but subject to be defeated by a bill in equity and redemption.

Unless Fifield Mitchell is able to exhibit some substantial ground of objection the bill will be sustained and a master appointed to ascertain the amount remaining due upon the mort- * gage debt; and the ultimate decree will be, that upon the payment by the plaintiff to the defendant Jewett of one-half the sum remaining due on said mortgage, the said Jewett and the said Fifield Mitchell shall release and convey to the plaintiff by deed duly executed all their right, interest, title and claim in and to one undivided half of the farm described in the bill with covenants of warranty against all persons claiming or to claim by, through or under them or either of them.

Semanded to nisiprius for further p>rooeedings in conformity herewith.

Appleton, C. J., Walton, Daneorth, Peters and Libbey, JJ., concurred.