Case ID: mo_6/html/0474-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      Napton, Judge.\n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Cerre v. Hook.
    The confirmations of the Recorder of land titles, under the act of Congress of I3th June, 1819, arc evidence of title, in an action of eject" ment, under our statute relating to evidence, (R. C. 1835, title ‘evidence.’J See adm’r of Janis v. Gurno, 4 Mo. R. p. 458. S. C. 6 Mo; R. 330.)
    Error to the St. Louis Circuit Court.
    
      Bogy and Ilurdon for Appellant.
    
    1. The first error assigned Is the court giving judgment for the defendant. Yol. I Land laws U. States, page 620. Janis vs. Gurno, 4 vol. Mo. Rep. 458.
    
    
      2. A transcript of testimony taken.before Theodore Hunt, as recorder of land titles, was then offered to be read in evidence, which was refused by the court. This we believe also to be error. Act of 26th June, 1824.
    
      The C0„Sr, recorder of land titles, tiie act ?oíioni”reíia of 18is, are ejectment, under our sta-tuto relating to evidence, (It. C. 1835, title, evidence)'see adm’r of Jams v. Gurno, 4 Mo. R. p, 453. tí. C. 6 Mo. R. 330.)
    
      3. The third error assigned, is the instructions of the •court below to the jury to find for the defendant.
    4. It follows as a matter of course, that if any of the three preceding propositions be correct, that the court should have granted a new trial.
    
      B. Allen for Appellee.
    
    It is contended in this case that the act of Congress 13th June, 1812, operates on those claims only of which notice had been previously given to the Recorder, or the evidence of which was in his office, originating by concession or order of survey.
    That inasmuch as no evidence in the cause shows this to have been such a claim, there is no error. Acts of Congress 13 June, 1812, sec. I. 2 Mar. 1805, sec. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 21 Api. 1S06, I, 2. 3 Mar. 1807, 4, 7.
   Opinion of the Court by

Napton, Judge.

This was an action of ejectment brought by Gabriel P. Cerre, to recover a lot in the city of St. Louis. On the trial of the cause, the plaintiff offered in evidence a confirmation of the lot in question by the recorder of land titles, under the act of 1812, to the legal representatives of Michael La-mie. It appeared from the testimony, that Madame Lamie, the wife of Michael Lamie, had been previously married to one Douchouquette, by whom she had six children. The only child by her last husband married Paschal L. Cerre, and died leaving three children, of whom the plaintiff is one.

Some testimony was offered to prove the possession and cultivation of the lot in controversy, by Michael Lamie, previous to 1803. The plaintiff also offered deeds from two of the Douchouquettes, children of Madame Lamie by her first husband, who after the intermarriage of their mother with Michel Lamie, were generally lenown by the name of Lamie.

It was also proved that the lot described in the declaration was the same as that described in the certificate of confirmation by the recorder, and it was admitted that the j. i . . fendant was m possession.

The defendant offered no testimony, but the court ed the jury, that the plaintiff had not made out a prima'facie case. It has been decided by this court in the case of Janis v. Gurno, (4 Mo. R. 458,) that the confirmations of the recorder under the act of 13th June, 1812, are evidence in an action of ejectment under our statute. This opinion was ^iterated in the same case, decided at the last term of this The court are not disposed to review the positions “ those cases- ’

The judgment in this case will therefore be reversed, and ,, , , tfie cause íemanded.