Case ID: wis_17/html/0105-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Dixon, O. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Davis vs. Henderson, impleaded with another.
    In an action by a vendor of lands to enforce an equitable lien upon them for the unpaid purchase money, it appeared from the complaint that a part of the premises were school lands, of which the plaintiff held certificates at the time of his agreement to sell, and that for these he was to procure patents, and thereupon execute to the defendant, by a certain day, or when he should thereafter be requested, “ a good and suflicient conveyance ” for the whole. The complaint alleged that the plaintiff had performed this agreement by having, on &c., at the request of the defendant, executed and delivered to him a good and sufficient warranty deed, with the usual covenants of warranty and seizin; and that at the time of such delivery the defendant again promised to execute the mortgage then to be given. Held, on demurrer, that this was a sufficient averment of performance.
    On an agreement by the vendor of lands to execute a “good and sufficient conveyance,” the purchaser may demand a clear title, as well as that it be assured to him by proper covenants.
    From the facts stated in the complaint, it must be presumed, upon demurrer, that the patents were produced, and satisfactory evidence of title given, upon the delivery of the deed, or that the defendant waived all investigation of the title, and relied upon the covenants.
    If the plaintiff had no title, that fact may be shown in defense.
    APPEAL from the Circuit Court for Bad' Ax County.
    Action against Helen Henderson and John Henderson to enforce an equitable lien for the purchase money of land. The case is stated by the court. The complaint states that the deed which the plaintiff agreed to execute was to be made in the name of John Henderson as grantee. The demurrer was filed and appeal taken by Helen Henderson.
    
    
      Bierce & Layne and Smith & Keyes, for appellant,
    cited Hatch 
      
      vs. Peet, 23 Barb., 575, and Smith vs. Brown, 17 id., 431.
    
      Terhune & Graham and J. H Carpenter, for respondent.
   By the Couft,

Dixon, O. J.

Appeal from an order overruling a demurrer to the complaint, that it does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. The action is to enforce an equitable lien in favor of the plaintiff as vendor of certain lands in the county of Bad Ax; and the only question made upon the demurrer is as to ihe performance of an execu-tory agreement for the sale of the lands, made and delivered by the plaintiff to the defendant John Henderson, as agent of the defendant Helen. The performance of this agreement constitutes the foundation of the action. It seems that in May, 1856, the plaintiff was the owner in fee of certain lands in that county, which, for the purposes of the complaint, are designated as government lands, and the holder of school land certificates for certain other lands designated as state lands, all of which he bargained and sold to the defendant John, as agent for the defendant Helen, at an agreed price for the whole. Eor the state lands it was understood that the plaintiff should procure patents from the state before executing the deed, and in the meantime he was to enter into written obligation “ to make, execute and deliver, on or before the first day of August, A. D. 1856, or when he should thereafter be requested, a good and sufficient conveyance in the law in fee simple.” The averment in writing was duly executed and delivered. ■ The agreement of performance is in these words : And this plaintiff further shows that he has faithfully kept ■and performed the terms of the said agreement on his part, by having, with Sarah Davis, his wife, on the sixteenth day of September, 1856, upon the request of the said John Henderson, acting as agent aforesaid, made, executed, acknowledged and delivered to him, in his name, a good and sufficient warranty deed in fee simple, with the usual covenants of warranty and seizin of, in and to the land hereinbefore described, as state land ; and at tbe time of tbe execution and delivery of tbe same, tbe defendant John Henderson again expressly promised and agreed, in consideration of tbe said agreement and of tbe delivery of tbe said deed to bim * * * to execute and deliver tbe mortgage then to be given.”

This we tbink a sufficient averment of performance. Tbe objection taken is, tbat it is not alleged tbat tbe plaintiff bad procured tbe patents from tbe state. Tbe agreement did not in terms require tbis, tbougb sucb was its undoubted legal effect, as also tbe verbal understanding of tbe parties. It seems to be well settled that upon sucb an agreement tbe purchaser is entitled to demand a clear title, as well as tbat it be assured to him by proper covenants. Rawle on Cov. for Title, 562-3, and notes; Goddin v. Vaughn, 14 Graft., 102. Had the' defendant John refused tbe conveyance because tbe patents were not exhibited, or a clear title not shown, a very different question would have been presented. But be did not. He accepted it. It was made at bis request, and upon bis promise to secure tbe purchase money as bad been previously stipulated. It must be presumed, from these facts, tbat tbe patents were produced, and satisfactory evidence of title given, or else that all investigation of title was waived, tbe agent choosing to rely on tbe covenants. In either case, the defendants are precluded from refusing performance on their part. If tbe plaintiff bad no title, and nothing passed by the deed, those are facts which may be shown in defense ; but tbe complaint undisputed shows a good cause of action.

Order affirmed.