Case ID: nj-eq_108/html/0082-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Leaking, V. C.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Frederick C. Torrey and Charles S. Shinn, complainants, v. Samuel Blair et al., defendants.
    [Decided March 18th, 1931.]
    
      Mr. Samuel P. Hagerman, for the complainant, for the motion.
    
      Mr. Russell G. Conover, for the defendants American Supply Company and Staples & Companjq Incorporated.
    
      Mr. David A. Veeder, for the defendant Heulings A. Sever.
   Leaking, V. C.

The only essential inquiry herein is whether the release clause contained in complainants’ mortgage enables three defendants, each of whom has filed mechanics’ liens for labor or materials supplied to a building on certain lots embraced in the mortgage, to discharge the mortgage lien on such lots by paying to the mortgagees the stipulated release money.

The release clause contained in complainants’ mortgage is as follows:

“And it is hereby stipulated and agreed by the parties to these presents that any lot above mentioned shall be released by the mortgagees herein named to the mortgagor upon the payment by the mortgagor to the mortgagees of the sum of one hundred dollars.”

The language of this covenant, like that in Dimeo v. Ellenstein et al., 106 N. J. Eq. 298, specifically limits its application to releases by the mortgagees “to the mortgagor upon the payment by the mortgagor to the mortgagees” of the amount named. The right of the parties to so limit the operation of the covenant cannot be doubted.

In Ventnor Investment and Realty Co. v. Record Development Co., 79 N. J. Eq. 103, cited by defendants, the terms of the release covenant were in no way restrictive, and the evidence disclosed that the covenant was contemplated by the parties and applied by them as a covenant available to and for the benefit of purchasers of lots.

This view renders unnecessary a consideration of the oth r objections made by complainant.

The counter-claims will be stricken out.