Case ID: mass_2/html/0057-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Dana, C. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Maria May, by her Guardian, versus James Calder.
    A lease of an infant’s land by his father, as natural guardian, is void.
    This was an action of ejectment, brought in the county oí Norfolk, by a minor, to recover certain lands which had been leased to the defendant, Colder, by the father of the plaintiff, as guardian by nature of his daughter. The jury returned a verdict for the plain tiff, subject to the opinion of the Court on this question, whether the father, as natural guardian, has a right to lease the independent estate of the minor, for years, without being appointed by the judge of probate, and giving bonds ; the minor being under the age of fourteen years, the lease being for seven years, and to continue till the minor should arrive to the age of eighteen years. After the minor arrived at the age of fourteen years, she made choice of a guardian, who was duly appointed, and by whom she brings this action.
    At this term, to which the cause had been referred for argument, there was no appearance for the defendant.
    
      T. Williams, for the plaintiff,
    cited Co. Lit. 88, b. — Carth. 386. — 2 Inst. 330. — 2 Wilson, 129, 135. — Also, Mass. Laws - March 10, 1784: “An Act empowering the judges of probate to appoint guardians to minors and others.”
   The opinion of the Court was delivered by

Dana, C. J.

The question is, whether the father, as natural guardian of an infant, has authority to make a lease of the infant's land. Having conferred together, and examined the * authorities which have been cited at the bar, we are [ * 56 j unanimously of opinion that he has no such authority, and especially considering the provisions of our statute respecting guardians, which require them to give bonds, &c. In the Court of Chancery, bond is required of a natural guardian, when a legacy given to his child is ordered to be paid over to him by the executors of the will. Strickland vs. Hudson, Mason & Ux. In that case the lord chancellor said, “ The master of the rolls, who had had longer experience than himself, would never allow a child’s legacy to be paid to the father or mother, upon any security whatever, by reason of the strife and dispute it might occasion in the family.’'

The lease, in this case, being considered void, the judgment of the Court is, that the plaintiff recover her seisin and possession of the land demanded. 
      
       3 Rep. in Chancery.
      
     
      
      
         Vide Snook vs. Sutton, 5 Hals. 133.— Truss vs. Old, 6 Randolph, R. 556. — Ross vs. Gill & Ux. 1 Wash. 87 —Jackson vs. Combs, 7 Cowen, 36. — Vandoren vs. Everitt, 2 South. 460.
      By the law of England, a guardian in saccage is considered not only as having an authority to lease the infant’s lands, but as having himself an interest therein; as quasi dominus pro tempore; so that he may make leases in his own name, which may be confirmed or avoided by the ward upon his coming of age. — Shopland vs. Ryoler, Cro. Jac. 55, 98. — Brisden vs. Hussey, 2 Roll. Abr. 41, c. 15. — Comyn. L. & T. 45, 2d Lond. ed.— Woodfall, by Harrison, p. 25. — And a testamentary guardian, or one appointed pursuant to the statute 12 Chas. 2, c. 24, has the same office and interest as guardian in saccage. — Bedell vs. Constable, Vaughn, 179. —Bac. Ab. Leases (1) 9.— Vide Duke of Beaufort vs Berty, 1 P. W. 702. — Roe, dem. Parry, vs. Hodgson, 2 Wils 129. — Although it is said that a lease by such guardian is void. — 2 Wils. 135. Evans, L. & T. 73. — But guardian by mixture can make no leases for years either in his own name or in the name of the infant; because he has merely the care of the person and education of the infant, and has nothing to do with the lands; and he may exist though the infant have no lands at all; but guardian in saccage cannot.