Case ID: tenn_14/html/0249-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Peck, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Hightower’s lessee vs Wells.
    The act of 1811, ch. 39, sec 2, and the acts which continue it, authorizing the hand writing of witnesses to deeds to be proved in certain cases, is repealed by the third section of the act of 1817, ch. 45.
    Where a deed was proved by one of the subscribing witnesses in 1830, and the hand writing of the other, (who lived in Arkansas,) was also proved: Held that this probate was insufficient.
    Ejectment from the circuit court of Williamson county. This cause presented several questions which were argued at the bar, but as the opinion of the court is based only upon one of the points argued, a statement of the facts in relation to that is only deemed necessary.
    The plaintiff in deraigning his title, offered in evidence a deed from Moses Curtis to Thomas Staggs, dated 9th June, 1827. It was proved as follows:
    • “State of Tennessee: Williamson county court, January sessions. This deed of conveyance from Moses Curtis to Thomas Staggs is produced for probate, the execution thereof proved thus: Thomas W. Cash being sWorn, says? he is acquainted with the handwriting of said Isham R. Trotter, one of the subscribing witnesses to saJd deed, and that the attesting signature is the proper handwrite of said Trotter; and John O. Patton being sworn, says, said Isham R. Trotter resides in Arkansas Territory, beyond the limits of this State; all of which is ordered to be certified that said deed may be registered.” Attest, Th. Hardeman,
    
      Clerk of said court.
    
    The deed had been proved at a preceding term of said court by James Swanson, the other subscribing witness to the deed.
    This deed was objected to, but was permitted by the circuit Judge to be read to the jury, the court being of opinion that the deed was proved and registered as required by law. To this opinion of the court a bill of exceptions was taken.
    
      R. C. Foster, jr. and R. Alexander, for the plaintiffs in error.
    
      F. B. Fogg and T. J. Lacy, contra.
   Peck, J.

delivered the opinion of the court.

The only question important to be considered in this case, is that which arises upon the admissibility as evidence of the deed from Curtis to Staggs.

The act of 1811, the only one that will sustain the probate, was temporary in its operation. That act is not continued by any subsequent legislation on the subject of probates. The construction put upon the subsequent acts by the'circuit Judge, that by implication they continued in force the act of 1815, is a strained construction not warranted by either the letter or spirit of those laws.

An examination of the several acts passed after the act of 1811, ch. 39, will show that the legislature has repealed the second section of that act, under and by virtue of which, this probate is attempted to be supported. If the second section of the act of 1815, ch. 179, be not repealed, the probate in this case being in conformity with it, is good. The act of 1813, ch. 81, sec. 1, continues the act of 1811. The second section of the act of 1815, ch. 179, sec. 2, continues the act of 1811 and 1813. By the second section of the act of 1817, ch. 45, all deeds were authorized to be proved under the laws then in force; the act of 1811 being in force by virtue of the acts of 1813 and 1815, if there was nothing more in the act of 1817 than this section, the probate would be clearly good. But the third section of the act of 1817 repeals in express terms the second section of the act of 1815, by virtue of which section alone, the act of 1811 is in force. If this section is inconsistent with the second section of the same act, the former, on rules of construction, must give way to the latter. If this view of the subject be correct, and the court believe it is, it follows as a consequence, that from and after the passage of the act of 1817, the provision of the above section of the act of 1811 is repealed and the probate cannot be sustained. This point is conclusive; of course, the plaintiff, failing in his title, cannot recover.

Judgment reversed.