Case ID: mass_111/html/0296-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "By the Court.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Robert Gaw vs. Martin Hughes. Same vs. Alexander Welch.
    A deed described the premises conveyed as bounded 11 on the southerly side of a proprietor’s way, thence running westerly by said way to a stake by the side of said way.’1 The grantor owned the land called u a proprietor’s way.” Held, that the grantee had a right of way over said land.
    Two ACTIONS OE TORT for obstructing a private way called Cherry Street Place, in Newton, by digging a ditch therein. In the declaration in each case the first count alleged that the plaintiff was seised in fee of one half of Cherry Street Place, the second count alleged that he had a right of way in said place. Both cases were tried together in the Superior Court, before BoeJcwell, J.; the judge directed the jury to return verdicts for the defendants, and the plaintiff alleged exceptions. The cases are stated in the opinion.
    
      I. JD. Van Buzee for the plaintiff.
    
      W. B. Bryant, for the defendants.
   By the Court.

The lots of the plaintiff and of the defendants were parts of a large tract of land formerly owned by John Ayers. 'He divided it into lots and laid out a “ proprietor’s way” now called Cherry Street Place, and afterwards sold the lot now owned by the plaintiff to Michael Manning. The material part of the description of the lot in the deed to Manning is as follows : “beginning at the northeast corner thereof, and on the southerly side of a proprietor’s way, thence running westerly by said way and crossing a ditch two hundred and thirty-four feet to a stake by the side of said way.”

By this deed a right of way over the “ proprietor’s way ” passed as appurtenant to the land conveyed to Manning. Tufts v. Charlestown, 2 Gray, 271. The plaintiff having Manning’s title may maintain an action of tort for obstructing his right of way, and can recover upon his second count if he proves that the defendants obstructed the way. The question whether the acts of the defendants interfered with the plaintiff’s use of the way ant. amounted to an obstruction, was a question of fact and should have been submitted to the jury. Meehan v. Barry, 97 Mass. 447. Exceptions sustained.