3 Binn. 557 | Pa. | 1811
This is an action on the case for money had and received, brought by the widow of John Wilson senior, against the executor of her husband’s will, to recover her share of her husband’s personal estate. The defendant makes two objections to the plaintiff’s recovery. 1. That an action for money had and received does not lie in this case. 2. That all that part of the testator’s personal estate, not disposed of by the will, is vested in his executor for his own use.
1. The first objection is founded on the impropriety of making the executor personally responsible for property which came to his hands as executor, and cases were cited to
2. The second point would have been of very great moment, if an act of assembly had not been passed, by which in future an executor is declared to be a trustee for die next of kin. It is the law before the making of that act, which we are now to decide. The principles by which the personal estate of deceased persons is disposed of, were settled at a period when personal property was generally of small amount. In England, in case of intestacy the ordinary took it into his possession, not for the purpose of paying the intestate’s debts, and distributing the residue among his ltin, but to dispose of
But Boudinot v. Bradford, 2 Dall. 268, has been cited to the contrary. The words are these. "But, by the court, “ there is no such distinction (meaning a distinction be- .“ tween the law of England and of this state) to be found “ in any act of assembly, or judicial determination. The “ next of kin are only intitled to personal estate in the “ case of intestacy, and a man cannot be intestate, who has “ made an executor.” This report is certainly inaccurate in more respects than one. The dictum was not by the court, but by the Chief Justice only; nor did the other judges express any opinion, or consider the point alluded to as having been decided. This has been several times declared by the late judge Smith, both in private, and in his seat oh the bench; and I know that his notes make no mention of any such de»
I have endeavoured to ascertain the opinion and practice of the courts in our sister states, but have not been able to procure such satisfactory information as I expected. In Maryland, the executor has always received a commission founded on act of assembly, and always been considered as a trustee for the next of kin, although there was no act of assembly to that purpose. In Virginia the law has been received as in England, until altered by act of assembly. At present the executor is a trustee for the next of kin.
Where a rule of property has been settled, I shall never think myself at liberty to alter it, even though I should suppose that it had been founded on a mistaken principle. But considering the point before us as completely open, I must declare my opinion, that in consequence of the acts of assembly allowing a commission to executors, the common law of England has in this respect never been received in Pennsylvania, and the executor must be considered as a trustee for the next of kin.
It is the settled rule in England,, that the naming of executors is by implication a gift to them in law of all the goods, chattels, credits and personal estate of the testator. Wentw. Off, of Exrs. 4. 5., Toller 275., Roper on Legacies 219. It lays on them an obligation to pay his debts, and makes them subject to every man’s action for the same. In Newstead v. Johnston, 2 Atk. 46., more fully reported in 2 'Burn's Ecc. Law 168. 4th ed. Lord Hardwicke says, as the law stands now, where a person appoints one executor, it is giving him the residue, unless there is a particular legacy. And the same rule holds in the ecclesiastical courts. The judicious Mr. Coxe, in his note on 1 Pr. Wms. 550., and Fonblanque in his notes on the Treatise of Equity, vol. 2.p. 131., lay down the law in the same manner, and each
It has been questioned, whether the law of England in this particular is applicable to Pennsylvania, or has been acted on as such. By the fifth section of the royal charter^ 1
Whence then is it, that a court of justice is authorized to consider this part of the common law respecting the legal rights of executors, as inapplicable to this state? The legislature by a law passed on the 7th April 1807, 8 St. Laws 159; 1st part, have deemed it necessary to enact, that on a will not disposing of the residue of the personal estate, the executors shall distribute the undisposed residue among the next of kin. It is true, that nothing is affirmed or denied therein as to undisposed residues prior to the passing of the act; but the law furnishes a strong exposition of the sense of the legislature, as to the extension of the common law in the particular under consideration.
It has been objected, that testators never contemplate that the undisposed residue of their personal estates will pass to their executors. It is presumed that this observation would equally apply'to the inhabitants of Great Britain; and likewise that as well there as here, it is not generally known, that a creditor making a debtor his executor thereby extinguishes the debt, Hob. 10., Co. Litt. 264 b., 1 Salk. 300., un
It is more formidably objected, that the legal right of the executor to the undisposed residuum is founded on the principle of a supposed compensation for his care and trouble., for which in England no allowance is made to him, 3 Pr. Wms. 249., and that he is only allowed his reasonable expenses. 4 Burn’s Eccl. Law 416. He there has nothing but the management of the personal estate, 1 Pr. Wms. 553., unless it be otherwise directed in the will. Whereas by the laws agreed upon in England respecting the settlement of the colony, 1 Dall. St. Laws App. 22. s. 14., lands were made liable to pay debts, which were pursued by many subsequent regulations of the same nature, so that they became quodam modo chattels, and thereby introduced a radical change in the rights and duties of the personal representatives of deceased persons; and the act “ for establishing Orphan’s “ Courts” passed in 1713, 1 Dall. St. Laws 99., authorizing them “ to order the payment of such reasonable fees for “ copies,' and for all other charges trouble and attendance, “ which any officer, or other person shall necessarily be put “ upon in the execution of that act as they should deem just “ and reasonable,” made an alteration ih our municipal system, which destroyed the ancient rule of law in such cases.
These objections demand particular consideration, It is obvious that they are grounded on the assumption, that the' legal principle contended for by the defendant, is bottomed on a supposed compensation for the care and trouble of the executor. But is this really:the case?
I do not find that the elementary writers, either ancient
I agree, that the general practice of this state is, for executors and administrators to charge for their trouble, in the settlement of their accounts, under the character of commissions; but I cannot collect from thence, that they exclude themselves from taking the undisposed surplus, where there is no reasonable presumption of a contrary intention in the will. I take it, that the origin of the legal right is to be ascribed to the bounty of the testator, when he nominates his executors. I see much danger in unsettling ancient estabblished rules, unless on the most solid grounds. It is theoffice of the legislative branch alone to do this on grounds of public convenience. I know of but one decision, wherein this question has been solemnly determined in the tribunals of this state; but the observation of M'Kean Chief Justice in Boudinot et al. v. Bradford in December 1796, 2 Dall. 268., uncóntradicted I may at least say by any of the members of this court, that there was no distinction between the law of England and Pennsylvania as to the point now under consideration, has in my idea considerable weight. The opinion of Mr. President Wilson in Davis v. Davis’s Executors in Delaware county is to the same effect in April 1806. It
It would afford me some relief upon the present occasion to be informed, how this legal question has been considered by the judiciaries of our sister states, wherein executors receive compensation for their care and trouble in administering on the estates of testators. I have been able to find but two cases of the kind in any of their reports. That of Shelton’s Executors v. Shelton, 1 Wash. 64., in the court of appeals of Virginia in fall term 1791, wherein the residuary estate undisposed of was held to go to the executors, it being always the case, as Pendleton president remarked, where there are several executors, and unequal legacies given to them. Judge Tucker, 2 Tuck. Bla. 514. note 44., remarks on that decision, that it seems to have been settled thereby, that such undisposed residuum, where no intention of the testator to the contrary appeared, did belong to the executors; that neither a devise of lands, Qr other real estate to an executor, nor a legacy to a brother as such, without referring to his official character as executor, of money, or other personal property, (although the brother were likewise constituted an executor) was a sufficient manifestation of such an intention to the contrary, as to preclude him from taking the residuum as executor. This resolution more strongly applies to the question before the court, as in Virginia executors are intitled to compensation for their services. 1 Wash. 250.
In Denn on the demise of Snedeker et al. v. Allen, 1 Pennington 44., in New Jersey in May term 1806, Judge Pennington declared, that an executor was intitled to the residue where it was not disposed of in express terms; and he
I have examined with some care the late reports of cases decided in the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New York, Maryland, North and South Carolina, without success, for other decisions on this subject.
Upon this head of argument the matter thus stands. Upon the one hand, what has been called the individual opinion of M-Kean Chief Justice in this state in 1796, the solemn decision of President Wilson in April term 1806, and the two cases cited above in Virginia and New-Jersey, assert the extension of the English law, though the executors are compensated for their care and trouble: and on the other hand, no case has been discovered of a different rule of decision adopted in any of our sister states, by the judicial departments thereof. I thus find myself in trammels from which I cannot escape; and I do not feel myself at liberty, from my private sense of possible individual hardships, to garble that common law, which we have heretofore prided ourselves in, and styled our birthright.
Believing, as I have been led to do, on the best consideration I have been able to give to the subject, that the law of Pennsylvania agreed' as to the particular point before the court, previous to the late act of 7th April 1807, with the law of England, I proceed to consider the last will of John Wilson senior deceased. He devised to his son John the defendant the land whereon he lived in fee simple, and also his land in Chester county. To his two daughters, grandsons, and granddaughters, he bequeaths several pecuniary legacies, and to his widow Jane the plaintiff, the profits of the place whereon he lived, which after her decease was to fall into the hands of his son John. He ordered his land in Leacock town- • ship to be sold, together with 50 acres of his land in Lampeter township, and 100/. arising therefrom to be paid to his daughter Margaret Hamilton, and the interest of other 100/. to be paid to his daughter Mary Peters, and at her decease the money to be equally divided among her children; and he appointed his son John and his son-in-law Robert Hamilton his executors. Hamilton renounced.
I consider at present the rule to be, that making an executor does vest in him the personal estate of the testator,
Considering this then as a question of intention, what reasonable ground does the will present to shew that the testator did not intend his executor should take the surplus? What circumstance or clause on the face of the will, will give our minds sufficient satisfaction in this particular? The rule of law is, that the appointment of executors vests in them all the personal estate of the testator not otherwise disposed of. The will contains a devise of lands to his son John both in possession and remainder, but he takes no legacy either pecuniary or specific. To his son-in-law Robert Hamilton there is no devise of land or legacy whatever. They are not called executors in trust, 2 Vern. 99., 2 Pr. Wms. 158., 2 Atk. 18., 2 Ves. 91. 495., nor do any other expressions occur in the will, shewing the office only to be intended them, and not the beneficial interest. I lay no stress on the circumstance of an only son being one of the executors, since notwithstanding the case of Ball v. Smith, 2 Vern. 675., it now seems settled, 1 Pr. Wms. 550., that even a wife appointed executrix, is as to the residue precisely in the situation of any other person appointed executor. In whatever light I view this will, I see no provision in it inconsistent with the executors taking beneficially the undisposed residue of the personal estate of the testator, and this renders it unnecessary for me to consider whether the form of the action has been misconceived.
I am of opinion that a new trial should be awarded.
The claim of an executor to the surplus, is affiected by that of the next of kin, who may allege a better right on ground of natural equity; for the presumption is, that in the possession of property, there may have been some foundation laid by the acquisitions of a common ancestor; and the means of acquiring more, may not have been wholly independent of the line of progenitors. The natural obligation under which we are to help others, draws closer and stronger, the nearer they are related to us. Natural affection with most persons dictates this, even where
“ The name of Saxons,” says Gibbon, Rom. Hist. v. 2.2/6., “ escaped the notice of Tacitus; yet it is that in which we “ have a near and dear domestic interest, these and their “ auxiliaries, who so long defended the liberty of the north “ against the arms of Charlemagne, having filled the British “ islands with their language, their laws, and their colonies.” After the settlement of these in England, it is recognised as a principle at an early period, “ possessiones uxori, liber is, “ et cognatione proximis, pro suo cuique jure, distribuantur." 2 Black. Com. 492. At this time it would seem to have remained the law, that an ancestor could not deprive his next of kin of this right by testament. “ But though the origin “ of devising, (continues the commentator) cannot be traced, “yet-the law by imperceptible degrees was altered, and the “ deceased may now by will dispose of the whole of his es“tate.” And where there is a will, and an executor appointed, the next of kin do not succeed immediately to the possession even of that part of the property which may be undisposed of by the will; because it is necessary that the testamentary trustee the executor, take the possession of the whole to execute the purposes of the will, until after which, it cannot be ascertained that there is a surplus. It would seem also reasonable that after paying debts and legacies, he should have a lien upon the surplus, for a compensation for his trouble. And that this is considered as a ground on which the surplus can be retained, would seem from this, “ that wherever courts of equity have seen, on the face of a “ will, sufficient to convince them that the testator did not “ intend the executor to take the surplus, they have turned “ him into a trustee for those on whom the law would cast “ the surplus in case of a complete intestacy, that is the next “ of kin.” 1 Pr. Wms. 550., and Bro. Chan. Cases 328. “ A
In the citation from Peere Williams, the term complete intestacy would seem to distinguish the devise of a whole and a part.
I have not been able to trace when this claim of the executor came to be the law; the right to the residuum. It has been said, that from, the constituting an executor, a presumption arises of intending a benefit. The only presumption that strikes me, is that of a confidence in his understanding and care, and in his good will to do the deceased a service, by the fidelity of fulfilling the trusts of the will, and distribution of the surplus for the next of kin. May not this idea of a right to take the residuum, have crept in from a misapplication of the general terms that are used in treating on this subject; which are, that the constituting an executor is a gift in law, or donationary estateP It is true; but with this qualification, that it is but a special property that is given, not an absolute. It becomes his, not to such extent as to be liable for his debts, or devisable. “ His assignees under a bank- “ ruptcy cannot take it.” 3 Bur. 1369. This principle equally applying to the surplus in favour of the next of kin, may have been overlooked, personal property at an early period being small, and the surplus still less, after satisfying the dispositions of a will. Or it may have been suffered to remain uncalled for by the next of kin, under an idea of being applied in requiem animas of the testator himself; following the law in the case of intestates’ estates, at a time when the church succeeded to the king as the general trustee in such cases, and thought themselves justifiable in considering it a conscientious discharge of the trust, to apply the property rather in pios usus, than for the next of kin. It could not be disputed, but that according to the notions of these times, the most pious use was that of saying masses for the soul of the deceased. And though in the case of a lay executor, he could not himself say mass in consideration of the residuum, or perform the spiritual service, not having a spin
But however founded, or in what manner introduced, was this such a principle as was necessarily carried with the emigrants to this province in their colonization? Not if the reason of the rule had been the saying masses in requiem mimes; because there was no spiritual authority known to the colonial laws, that could render the service; and we have historical evidence, that the greater part of the emigrants were unbelievers as to the efficacy of a mass in benefiting after the decease.
But supposing it to be carried as a principle of the common law into our colonization, as applicable to our circumstances, being founded either on the idea of a gift ex volúntate, or a compensation for trouble in executing the will, has it not been extinguished by the early acts of the province legislature, or since under the state? There are acts at a very early period, providing for the distribution of in-testates’ estates. Do not these comprehend intestacy even as to part? “ In case a person made no disposition of such “ of his goods as were testable, whether that were only part “ or the whole of them, he was, and is, said to die intestate.” 2 Bl. Com. 494.
But independent of this construction, and meeting that which is the only rational foundation of the claim of the executor, a compensation for trouble, by the act of 1713 a power is given to the Orphan’s Court over executors in the. case of minors to compel to account, and to allow “rea- “ sonable fees for charges, trouble, and attendance in the execution of their trust.” Has not this act, by an equitable construction, been extended to the case of the next of kin, so as to allow compensation to executors in all cases of the settlement of accounts under will. By subsequent acts, particularly that of 1797, which -would seem to be declaratory of this construction, executors are made compellable as to this particular, on the application of any one interested in the real or personal estate of any decedent, “ to give bond “ with sureties to the Orphan’s Court, and to account in such “ manner and time, as the said court according to the usual “ course of proceeding in the cáse of administrators shall
By a preceding act of 1794, sec. 3d, it is provided, that the u remaining part of any lands, tenements or heredi- “ taments, and personal estate of any person deceased, not “ sold or disposed of by will, nor otherwise limited by mar- “ riage settlement, shall be divided and enjoyed in the pro- “ portions and distributions therein regulated, in favour of “ the wife, children and next of consanguinity.” These words, “ not sold or disposed of by will,” suppose a will, and a sale or sales directed under it, and dispositions made by it as to some part, and not as to the whole. What but the surplus in this case could there be to make the subject of the provisions of the section? The very technical term is used, “ remaining partf the residuum undisposed of by will; that is the surplus. I presume the claim in the case before us must be of the residuum of a testator before the act, and to which it might be thought this act could not retrospectively apply; otherwise the provision is so express that a doubt could not arise. Yet it is to be observed, and I cite it for this reason, that this act is intitled “ An act directing the de- “ scent of intestates’ real estates, and distribution of their “ personal;” which shews that the legislature contemplates intestacy as to part, even where there is a will. This act I take to be declaratory of what the law was before, and with a view to remove doubts which had come to be entertained, in consequence of what has been reported to have been said, 2 Dall. 268., which must be taken with some qualifications. For though generally speaking, both in legal and in popular acceptation, intestacy refers to a case where there is no will, yet it also embraces the case where there is a will, but no disposition as to some part; as to which, it is the same thing as if there was no will. This in the express words of the commentator, 2 Black. Com. 494. “ In case a person “ made no disposition of such of his goods as were testable, “ whether that were only part, or the whole of them, he was, “ and is said to die intestate.” Though it be true therefore that “ the next of kin are intitled to personal estate only in “ the case of intestacy,” yet where there is no disposition of the whole under a will, it is a case of intestacy as to the part undisposed of. Nor would the court or those of them
With regard to the capacity in which the defendant is called upon to answer for the surplus, whether he ought to be declared against as an executor, or as trustee merely, it may be observed, that in order to determine where one who is executor must sue as executor, it must be inquired, can he sue otherwise in that particular case than as executor? And the reason is, because suing as executor in England, he is exempt from costs to the defendant; and having this immunity, it is just that he be restrained to cases where he cannot sue otherwise. The cases in which one who is sued by an executor, has a right to call for a proceeding as executor, are where the executor can sue as executor; for the law not giving a defendant costs, save where one being executor proceeds in his own right, it is reasonable that the sphere of the immunity be confined to strict bounds. This reason which exists in England, has no place with us; for by the usage of Pennsylvania, costs follow the verdict in all cases not excepted by. act of assembly. The ground therefore is narrowed; and perhaps the criterion of Buller, 4 T. R. 280., may be adopted here, as to the bringing actions in a personal or representative capacity, and as to joining counts in the same declaration, ''will the demand when recovered go into “ assets?”
Again, where one js made defendant as executor, even here where he recovers or pays costs as the verdict may be for or against him, yet he has different pleas, and the judgment differently affects him, both as to what shall be taken in execution, and as to the recovery and evidence of the demand barred; so that there is good reason why one who is executor shall call for a proceeding against him eo nomine. And in a case where the defendant could be sued as executor,
The execution of a will can respect only the dispositions of a will, in executing which it cannot but be that the surplus will be thrown upon the executor; but it is not a subject of the testator’s disposition. It comes to the executor, but it is not as executor that he takes it, unless specially so appointed by the will; and then it becomes a subject of the disposition of the will, that he shall be intrusted with it. In that case he could not be sued but as executor. But where his being executor is but the mere occasion of its coming into his hands., he cannot be considered as executor quoad hoc and in strictness a suit could not be sustainable against him under the denomination of an executor, not even under the idea of an executor of his own wrong, for he could not be said to have meddled wrongfully with the property, it having fallen upon him in the course of a lawful act, unless by his detention after a demand, he might be considered an éxecutor of his own wrong. But certainly it cannot be necessary to consider him in that light. The idea of a tortious act may be waived, and he may be viewed in the light of a person having money in his hands for the use of those in-titled to receive it. Non constat necessarily that he will claim it for himself. The law will not say that it is necessary to presume the worst, or to give the worst names to things. If I place my eye simply on the surplus without looking at the will, as I have a right to do, (for it is not under the will that I claim it, but under the law which gives it to me,) I do not see the executor and am not bound to see him. I see only one to whose hands the property has come to which I have a right. My claim reaches the subject of this demand, antecedent to the will, and independent of it. It attaches on the testator’s decease, to the thing, and before it can be supposed to come to the hands of the executor; though nevertheless the mass of the property must pass through his hands, before this can be separated; yet this surplus must be viewed as existing distinct at the decease, from that which could be operated on by the will. I can see no possibility of connect
It is a more solid objection, that the declaration has not been more special, stating the way aod manner in which this surplus has come to the hands of the defendant. Certainly such declaration gives no more notice of the ground of the demand than the -writ itself; and were the case new, I should be willing to turn the plaintiff round to a new trial, and on payment of costs give him leave to amend his declaration; for such a want of specification ought not to be encouraged. A bill in equity in England, which is the proceeding in this case, must set forth specially the ground on which relief is prayed; and this which is in lieu of the bill in equity, ought to do the same. Though a declaration for money had and received for the use, is the truth of the case, yet there is more in the case, which ought to be shewn; viz. the way and under what circumstance the money has been received for the use of those interested to receive it.
But this mode of declaring has got a footing, and received the countenance of courts, which would make it a surprise in a particular case to exclude it. This laxity of declaring maybe helped by the defendant calling for a specification, which the court would certainly direct.
In the case before us it is not alleged that the want of a more specific statement in the declaration has been the occasion of surprise to the defendant; but the objection is raised merely of being technically exceptionable. The justice of the case having been reached, I incline to think the court is not under the necessity of setting aside what has been done,
New trial refused, and Judgment confirmed.