Case ID: md_128/html/0695-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Boyd, C. J.,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

THEOPHILUS W. PORTER, By His Son and Next Friend, Harry A. Porter, vs. JAMES H. NICHOLS, Etc.
    
      Deeds: want of capacity; setting asidej duty of courtsj burden of proof.
    
    It is not only the duty, but it should be the pleasure of courts, to rescue property conveyed away by one mentally afflicted and incapable of making a valid deed or contract, or where property has been obtained from him by fraud or other improper means.
    In such cases, even innocent purchasers may be required to surrender property if it is shown the vendor was clearly within the class of unfortunates who are the special wards of equity.
    But when an appeal for relief is made upon such ground, by the very person who is responsible for the sale that it is sought to set aside, courts should require full and clear proof.
    
      Decided February 10th, 1916.
    
    Appeal from the Circuit Court for Caroline County. In Equity. (Hopper and Atkiws, JJ.)
    The cause was argued before Boyd, C. J., Briscoe, Burke, Pattisow, Stocicbridge and Cowstable, JJ.
    
      T. Alan Goldsborough, for the appellant.
    
      Fred. R. Owens and Henry R. Lewis, for the appellees.
   Boyd, C. J.,

delivered the opinion of the Court of Appeals affirming the decree of the lower Court.