NO. 12-15-00170-CV

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT

TYLER, TEXAS

LINDA ANN PARRISH RICHARDSON 

AND GARY BRUCE RICHARDSON, COTRUSTEES OF THE M.C. PARRISH, JR. 

TESTAMENTARY TRUST; JUDY 

CLEVELAND HUPPERT; JAMES COOKE 

WILSON, INDIVIDUALLY, AS COINDEPENDENT EXECUTOR OF THE 

ESTATE OF BETTY VIRGINIA KILEY 

WILSON, DECEASED, AND AS TRUSTEE 

OF ALL TRUSTS CREATED UNDER THE 

WILL OF BETTY VIRGINIA KILEY 

WILSON; MARGARET WILSON 

RECKLING, INDIVIDUALLY, AS COINDEPENDENT EXECUTRIX OF THE 

ESTATE OF BETTY VIRGINIA KILEY 

WILSON, DECEASED, AND AS TRUSTEE 

OF ALL TRUSTS CREATED UNDER THE 

WILL OF BETTY VIRGINIA KILEY 

WILSON; RANSOM CLARK LUMMIS; 

JANIE GRANGER SPICER; THOMAS S. 

DAVISON; FREDERICK R. LUMMIS II; 

PALMER BRADLEY LUMMIS; LINDA 

ANN PARRISH RICHARDSON AND 

GRAY BRUCE RICHARDSON, AS COTRUSTEES OF THE M.C. PARRISH, JR. 

TESTAMENTARY TRUST; ROBERT L. 

BRADLEY, JR.; WILLIAM R. LUMMIS, 

JR.; CLYTIE HARRIS THOMAS PHELPS; 

MARY GAIL THOMAS CAMPBELL; 

JOHN K. HARDY; AND JOHN TURNER 

NEVITT, APPELLANTS

V.

DONALD ROGER MILLS, RHONDA 

MILLS, AND BEVERLY MILLS POOL,

APPELLEES

§

§

§

APPEAL FROM THE 145TH 

JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, TEXAS

OPINION

This suit involved the construction of a 1906 instrument pertaining to the minerals under 

certain property and a 1908 release. The trial court determined that Donald Roger Mills, Rhonda
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Mills, and Beverly Mills Pool (Appellees) owned an undivided one-half interest in the oil, gas, and 

other minerals described in the 1906 instrument and that the heirs, devisees, and assigns of Robert 

Lindsay and June C. Harris1(Appellants) take nothing. Appellants raise four issues on appeal. We 

reverse and render.

BACKGROUND

For years, Appellees had received royalty payments for one-half of the oil, gas, and other 

minerals of the subject property. When those royalty payments abruptly stopped in October 2010, 

Appellees filed suit against Appellants, seeking to have the payments resumed.2 Appellees’ dispute 

with Appellants revolves around the construction of two instruments. First, they contend that the 

following instrument recorded in Volume 64, Page 64 of the Deed Records of Nacogdoches 

County, Texas, and recorded on July 23, 1906, is an oil and gas lease and not a mineral deed.

S A Mills et al Volume 64 Page 64

to Deed Records of Nacogdoches County

Robert Lindsey et al

The State of Texas

County of Nacogdoches

Know all men by these presents: That we, S.A. Mills, Sophronia Mills, wife of S.A. Mills, R.E. Mills, 

Mary Ann Mills, wife of R.E. Mills, Thos Mills and wife Z.A. Mills parties of the first part are the 

owners of the several tracts of land hereinafter described, and there exists upon said land evidences in 

the way of surface indications which have moved said parties of the first part to believe that oil, 

[g]as[,] and mineral[s] of other kinds exist in quantities of greater or lesser proportions underneath the 

surface, and whereas said parties desire to have the title to their lands examined, abstracted, and 

perfected if any defects exist, and desire to have certain indebtedness existing against the premises in 

the shape of notes for the purchase money for said land paid off and concentrated into the hands of the 

parties of the second part, and desire to have investigations, tests[,] and demonstrations made in order 

to ascertain whether or not oil, gas[,] and other minerals aboun[d] in, under[,] and upon said land, and 

to have the property managed and controlled so as to bring results beneficial to them either by 

development and operation of said property for oil, gas or other mineral[s], or by selling said property 

if deemed best in their [j]udgment at such enhanced value as may result from the test, 

demonstration[,] and investigations to be made by said parties of the second part, and whereas said 

 

1 The heirs, devisees, and/or assigns of Robert Lindsay and June C. Harris are Judy Cleveland Huppert; James 

Cooke Wilson, Individually, as Co-Independent Executor of the Estate of Betty Virginia Kiley Wilson, Deceased, and 

as Trustee of all Trusts Created under the Will of Betty Virginia Kiley Wilson; Margaret Wilson Reckling, Individually, 

as Co-Independent Executrix of the Estate of Betty Virginia Kiley Wilson, Deceased, and as Trustee of all Trusts 

Created under the Will of Betty Virginia Kiley Wilson; Ransom Clark Lummis; Janie Granger Spicer; Thomas S. 

Davison; Frederick R. Lummis II; Palmer Bradley Lummis; Linda Ann Parrish Richardson and Gray Bruce Richardson, 

as Co-Trustees of the M.C. Parrish, Jr. Testamentary Trust; Robert L. Bradley, Jr.; William R. Lummis, Jr.; Clytie 

Harris Thomas Phelps; Mary Gail Thomas Campbell; John K. Hardy; and John Turner Nevitt.

2 Appellees contend only that they own one-half of the minerals of the subject property. They recognize that 

their predecessors-in-interest conveyed the remaining one-half mineral interest in 1962.
3

parties of the second part have agreed to perform the work of testing, demonstrating[, and]

investigating the oil upon said premises, and to generally handle the property for the best interest of 

all parties concerned by doing and performing such necessary things in the premises as will enhance 

the value of said property, - making it more salable, valuable and desirable by such usual proper and 

practical means as in the [j]udgment of the parties may seem best, and have agreed to abstract the title 

to said property to thoroughly examine and investigate said titles, and to do such things as are proper 

and necessary to perfect said titles, and have agreed to perform such other and further things as may 

seem necessary and proper to carry out the purposes and intent of this agreement.

Therefore in consideration of the premises, the services rendered and to be rendered by said parties of 

the second part, as hereinbefore specified and set forth, we, the said S.A. Mills, Saphronia [sic] Mills, 

R.E. Mills, Mary Ann Mills, Thos Mills and Z.A. Mills have bargained, sold and conveyed, and by 

these presents do grant, bargain, sell and convey unto Robert Lindsey and June C. Harris, the parties 

of the second part, an undivided one half interest in the oil, gas, and other minerals which do or may 

exist, in, under and upon the several tracts of land hereinafter described, with the rights of ingress and 

egress, and such other and further rights and privileges as are necessary and proper for the 

performance of the work of prospecting, testing, demonstrating, developing and operating for oil, gas 

or other minerals, the land and premises are described as follows:

[property description omitted]

To have and to hold the above described premises, together with all and singular the rights and 

appurtenances thereto in anywise belonging unto the said Robt. Lindsey and June c. Harris, their heirs 

and assigns forever, and we do hereby bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators to 

warrant and forever defend all and singular the said [p]remises unto the said Robt Lindsey and June 

C. Harris, their heirs and assigns against every person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the 

[s]ame or any part thereof.

Witness our hands at Nacogdoches, this the 9 day of July A.D. 1906.

June C. Harris S.A. Mills

Robt. Lindsey R.E.Mills

M.A. Mills

Sophronia Mills

T.B. Mills

Z.A. Mills

[acknowledgements omitted]

Filed for record July 23, 1906 at 12 o’clock m

P.M. Sanders County Clerk

Appellees, as part of their suit, also contend that the following release dated January 18, 

1908, and recorded on April 5, 1927, in Volume 15, page 92 of the Oil and Gas Lease Records of 

Nacogdoches County, Texas, released the 1906 instrument.

3

 

3 The release is recorded in Volume 137, Page 576, of the Deed Records of Nacogdoches County, Texas, on 

July 14, 1934.
4

RELEASE LEASE

JUNE C. HARRIS ET AL

TO

THE STATE OF TEXAS §

R. E. MILLS ET AL

COUNTY OF NACOGDOCHES §

WHEREAS on the 9th day of July A. D. 1907, R. E. Mills, Tom Hills and Sam Mills 

executed and delivered to the Nacogdoches Land Company, a firm composed of Robt Lindsey and 

June C. Harris, a certain contract or lease covering land described in said contract or lease, a part of 

the John Cooper, T. J. Cooper and the M. J. Mills surveys in Nacogdoches County, Texas, providing 

for the development and exploitation of said property for oil and other mineral, and 

WHEREAS by the terms of said contract or lease the time for said development has expired 

rendering null and void said lease.

THEREFORE this is to acknowledge a full and complete release and relinquishment of my 

right or claim held or claimed by said Nacogdoches Land Co., Robt. Lindsey or June C. Harris by 

virtue of said contract, lease or agreement, and the same is hereby declared to be extinguished and of 

no further force or effect.

WITNESS our hands at Nacogdoches, Texas, this the 18th day of January A D 1908.

JUNE C. HARRIS

ROBT. LINDSEY

[acknowledgements omitted]

Filed, April 5, 1927, at 11 o’clock A. M.

Recorded, April 5, 1927, at 4 o’clock P. M.

W. R. Bailey, Clerk, County Court,

Nacogdoches County, Texas.

After a bench trial, the trial court issued findings of fact and conclusions of law in which it 

found that the 1908 release was intended to, and did in fact, release the 1906 instrument. It 

concluded that the two instruments were ambiguous when construed together, and that extrinsic 

evidence was admissible to determine the parties’ true intent. The trial court alternatively found 

that the 1906 instrument was released when Lindsey and Harris did not perform their obligations as 

described in the 1906 instrument within a reasonable time. The trial court concluded further that the 

1906 instrument was a contract containing executory promises by Harris and Lindsay, the 

instrument did not have an express term for time of performance, the law would supply a term that 

their promises were to be performed within a reasonable time, and that a reasonable time for 

performance had passed. The trial court also found that Appellants failed to meet their burden of 

proof on their affirmative defenses. Therefore, the trial court determined that the one-half mineral 

interest had reverted to the Millses, who were Appellees’ predecessors. Accordingly, the trial court 
5

signed a judgment that Appellees take one-half of the oil, gas, and other minerals under the subject 

property and that Appellants take nothing. Appellants filed a motion for new trial, which was 

overruled by operation of law, and this appeal followed.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE 1906 AND 1908 INSTRUMENTS

In their first issue, Appellants argue that the trial court erred in its determination of the legal 

construction and effect to be given to the 1906 instrument and the 1908 release. 

Standard of Review

Whether a written instrument is ambiguous is a question of law for the court. J.M. 

Davidson, Inc. v. Webster, 128 S.W.3d 223, 229 (Tex. 2003); Coker v. Coker, 650 S.W.2d 391, 

394 (Tex. 1983). Therefore, we review the trial court’s decision de novo. See Kachina Pipeline 

Co. v. Lillis, 471 S.W.3d 445, 449 (Tex. 2015). When conducting a de novo review, we exercise 

our own judgment and redetermine each issue while according no deference to the trial court’s 

decision. Hausser v. Cuellar, 345 S.W.3d 462, 467 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2011, pet. denied). 

If, after we apply the relevant rules of construction, the written instrument can be given a definite 

legal meaning or interpretation, it is not ambiguous. Frost Nat’l Bank v. L & F Distribs., Ltd., 165 

S.W.3d 310, 312 (Tex. 2005) (per curiam), R & P Enters. v. LaGuarta, Gavrel & Kirk, Inc. 596 

S.W.2d 517, 519 (Tex. 1980). We review an unambiguous instrument without considering parol

evidence. See Stewman Ranch, Inc. v. Double M. Ranch, Ltd., 192 S.W.3d 808, 810 (Tex. App.—

Eastland 2006, pet. denied).

Applicable Law

Our primary duty when construing an unambiguous deed is to ascertain the intent of the 

parties from all of the language in the deed by applying a fundamental rule of construction known 

as the “four corners” rule. See Luckel v. White, 819 S.W.2d 459, 461 (Tex. 1991). We discern the 

parties’ intent from the entirety of the deed’s language without reference to matters of mere form, 

relative position of descriptions, technicalities, or arbitrary rules. See Stribling v. Milligan DPC 

Partners, L.P., 458 S.W.3d 17, 20 (Tex. 2015). No single provision taken alone will be given 

controlling effect. SAS Inst., Inc. v. Breitenfeld, 167 S.W.3d 840, 841 (Tex. 2005) (per curiam). 

We consider the entire writing and attempt to harmonize and give effect to all of its provisions by 

analyzing those provisions with reference to the document as a whole. See Frost Nat’l Bank, 165 

S.W.3d at 312. We must assume the parties to the instrument intended every clause to have some 

effect; therefore, the language of the deed should be interpreted so that no clause is rendered 
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meaningless. Union Pac. R.R. Co. v. Ameriton Prop., Inc., 448 S.W.3d 671, 678 (Tex. App.–

Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. denied).

Characterization of the 1906 Instrument

During the bench trial, Appellees contended that the 1906 instrument is ambiguous and that 

the trial court should consider parol evidence in determining its meaning. Appellants argued that 

the 1906 instrument is unambiguous and that the trial court should construe it under the “four 

corners” rule. See Luckel, 819 S.W.2d at 461. We will therefore conduct a de novo review to 

determine whether the 1906 instrument is ambiguous. See Hausser, 345 S.W.3d at 467.

In the first paragraph of the instrument, the Millses state why they are entering into an 

agreement with Robert Lindsey and June C. Harris. They explain that, based upon “surface 

indications,” they believe oil, gas, and other minerals exist underneath the surface of their land. 

Because of that belief, they specify certain actions they want Harris and Lindsey to take. First, they 

want them to examine and abstract their title to the property and cure any defects. Second, they 

want Harris and Lindsey to pay off any purchase money indebtedness existing against the property. 

Third, they “desire” to have “investigations, tests[,] and demonstrations made” to determine 

whether oil, gas, and other minerals are under the subject property. Fourth, they want Harris and 

Lindsey to manage and control the property in such a way that it will be developed for oil, gas, and 

other minerals, or alternatively to sell it if it has an enhanced value as a result of their “tests, 

demonstrations[,] and investigations.” 

The paragraph provides further that Harris and Lindsey will perform the following services: 

(1) testing, demonstrating, and investigating the possibility of oil on the premises, (2) doing 

whatever is necessary to make the land more valuable, (3) examine title to the land and do whatever 

is necessary to perfect said title, and (4) do other things needed to carry out the purpose and intent 

of the parties’ agreement.

It is significant in reviewing the recitals in the instrument that Harris and Lindsay may have 

a right to develop the oil, gas and other minerals under the land, but no duty to do so. It is also 

important that neither the Millses nor Harris and Lindsey specify a time period within which the 

enumerated actions must be taken. 

The second paragraph begins with a statement that the consideration for the agreement is the 

services rendered and to be rendered by Harris and Lindsey. The second sentence of the paragraph 

is the granting clause of the instrument. The purpose of the granting clause is to define and 

designate the estate conveyed. Gibson v. Watson, 315 S.W.2d 48, 54 (Tex. Civ. App.—Texarkana 
7

1958, writ ref’d n.r.e.). The granting clause in the 1906 instrument specifies that the Millses “grant, 

bargain, sell and convey . . . an undivided one-half interest in the oil, gas and other minerals” to 

Harris and Lindsey.

The third paragraph of the instrument, which follows the legal description, begins with an

habendum clause. The habendum clause in Texas deeds delineates the extent of the interests being 

granted and any conditions affecting the grant. Anadarko Petrol. Corp. v. BNW Prop., Co., 393 

S.W.3d 846, 851 n.6 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2012, pet. denied). We believe it is significant that the

habendum clause here includes the word “forever.” That means there is no limitation or condition 

upon the one-half mineral interest being conveyed to Harris and Lindsey.

A warranty clause follows the habendum clause in the third paragraph of the instrument. 

The purpose of the warranty clause is to warrant that neither the same estate nor any right, title, or 

interest therein has been conveyed to any person other than the grantee and that the property is free 

from encumbrances. Stewman Ranch, Inc., 192 S.W.3d at 811. As with the habendum clause, it is

significant that the word “forever” is used in the warranty clause. That means the Millses did not 

limit their warranty of the one-half mineral interest being conveyed. 

Appellees contend that the 1906 instrument was only a contract between the parties 

requiring Harris and Lindsey to develop the subject property for oil, gas, and other minerals. We 

disagree. As we have noted, there is no time specified in the instrument for any development. 

Further, the language in the instrument presents no requirement for Harris and Lindsey to actually 

develop the property. However, Appellees contend that there was an implied covenant that Harris 

and Lindsey would develop the property for oil, gas, and other minerals. This is the same argument 

made by the landowners in Danciger Oil & Refining Co. of Texas v. Powell, 154 S.W.2d 632 (Tex. 

1941). There, the Texas Supreme Court held that there is no implied covenant for development 

when there is language of an unconditional conveyance and the instrument is silent about whether

the grantee is required to either explore the land for oil and gas or develop it in any manner after the 

discovery thereof. Id. at 636. The holding in Powell applies here. Therefore, the 1906 instrument 

does not include an implied covenant for development.

An oil and gas lease is a fee simple determinable estate. See Jupiter Oil Co. v. Snow, 819 

S.W.2d 466, 468 (Tex. 1991). This means that when it terminates, the mineral estate reverts to the 

grantors of the lease, their heirs, or assigns. Id. In contrast, a mineral deed does not contain such 

limitations or qualifications on the mineral interest conveyed. See Loomis v. Gulf Oil Corp., 123 

S.W.2d 501, 504 (Tex. Civ. App.—Eastland 1938, writ ref’d). In this case, based on the language 
8

of the 1906 instrument, there were no limits on the one-half mineral interest being conveyed by the 

Millses to Harris and Lindsey. To construe the instrument any other way would have the effect of 

rewriting it, which we are not authorized to do. See Consol. Petroleum, Partners, I, LLC v. Tindle, 

168 S.W.3d 894, 899 (Tex. App.—Tyler 2005, no pet.).

Appellees also contend that the 1906 instrument was a contract for exploitation of minerals 

and that the conditions described in the first paragraph of the instrument weigh in favor of its being 

classified as a mineral lease rather than a mineral deed. See Cont’l Royalty Co. v. Marshall, 239 

S.W.2d 837, 838 (Tex. Civ. App.—Texarkana 1951, no writ). In that case, an instrument entitled 

“Contract” stated that the landowners “do hereby bargain, sell and convey unto the Continental 

Royalty Company, a Corporation, an undivided one-half interest in and to all mineral rights, in and 

under the following described tract of land . . . .” Id. However, the contract further stated that the 

sale of mineral rights was conditioned on a good and merchantable title to said property and that 

following delivery of such, the contract would have to be approved by the board of directors of the 

Continental Royalty Company. Id. at 839. According to the evidence at trial, the landowners never 

took the steps necessary to show that they had a good and merchantable title to the real property and

the Continental Royalty Company’s board of directors never approved the sale described in the 

contract. Id. at 840. The Texarkana court determined that even though there were words of 

conveyance used, the instrument was not a deed. Id. at 840. The court stated that “if from the 

whole instrument it is manifest that further conveyances were contemplated by the parties, it will be 

considered an agreement to convey and not a conveyance.” Id. at 840-41.

In the instant case, there were no further conveyances contemplated in the instrument. 

Harris and Lindsey were to perform future services as part of the consideration. Performance of the 

services was not a condition to the transfer of the minerals to them. The 1906 instrument is much 

more similar to the instrument reviewed by the Fort Worth court of civil appeals in Crumpton v. 

Scott, 250 S.W.2d 953 (Tex. Civ. App.—Fort Worth 1952, writ ref’d n.r.e.). In that case, the 

landowners conveyed one-third of their mineral interest to an attorney for services he was to 

perform regarding the land. Id. at 954. The landowners’ successors in interest contended that the 

instrument was merely an executory contract and that the attorney never performed the services 

described in the mineral deed. Id. The Fort Worth court held that the instrument was valid on its 

face and therefore was effective to pass title to one-third of the minerals owned by the grantors on 

the date of its execution. Id. at 955. The court went on to say that the landowner had the right to 

set aside the deed if the attorney had failed to perform his services but no such suit had been 
9

pursued. Id. at 956. In reaching its ultimate conclusion, the court reasoned that the law favors a 

rule of construction requiring an interpretation under which a deed will be valid and operative in 

preference to one that will nullify it. Id.

In the case before us, the 1906 instrument includes a number of recitals regarding the 

services to be performed by Harris and Lindsey. The record does not reflect that the Millses made 

any attempt to set aside the 1906 instrument for failure of consideration. This further supports that 

the 1906 instrument was not a mineral lease.

Based upon the foregoing analysis, we hold that the 1906 instrument is an unambiguous 

mineral deed by which the Millses conveyed a one-half interest in the minerals under the subject 

property to Harris and Lindsey. We likewise hold that the trial court erred in concluding that the 

1906 instrument was an executory contract. Moreover, we hold that the trial court erred when it 

concluded that the law supplied a term in the 1906 instrument that Harris and Lindsey’s alleged 

obligations must be performed within a reasonable time, that a reasonable time for performance had 

passed, and that the mineral interest therefore reverted to Appellees. 

Effect of the 1908 Release

Appellants contend that the 1908 release refers to an unrecorded oil and gas lease. 

Appellees argue that the release related back to the 1906 instrument, which we have construed to be 

a mineral deed.

When an instrument connects itself with a prior conveyance through its recitals, the two 

conveyances are to be construed together to determine the intention and effect of the instruments. 

Tate v. Sartain, 793 S.W.2d 45, 47 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1990, writ denied). We must look 

within the “four corners” of the release to determine whether it connects itself with the 1906 

mineral deed or an unrecorded instrument. See Luckel, 819 S.W.2d at 461; see also Stribling, 458 

S.W.3d at 20. Appellees argue that the only document recorded and in their chain of title that the 

1908 release could possibly connect to is the 1906 instrument. A purchaser is bound by every 

recital, reference, and reservation contained in or fairly disclosed by any instrument that forms an 

essential link in the chain of title under which the purchaser claims. See Westland Oil Dev. Corp. v. 

Gulf Oil, 637 S.W.2d 903, 908 (Tex. 1982). Appellants respond that it is not unusual for 

instruments relating to the exploration of oil, gas, and other minerals to be unrecorded. See id.

The 1908 release states that it is releasing an instrument dated July 9, 1907. The 1906 

mineral deed was executed on July 9, 1906. The 1908 release specifically refers to the document 

being released as a “contract” or “lease,” but never describes it as a “deed.” The release specifically 
10

states that “by the terms of said contract or lease the time for said development has expired 

rendering null and void said lease.” The 1906 mineral deed includes no language specifying a time 

period for the development of oil, gas, or other minerals. The 1908 release states that the “contract 

or lease” was delivered to the Nacogdoches Land Company, a firm composed of Robert Lindsey 

and June C. Harris. No reference to “the Nacogdoches Land Company” appears in the 1906 

mineral deed. Only three of the six grantors in the 1906 mineral deed are mentioned as having 

signed the “contract or lease.” None of the three wives listed in the 1906 mineral deed are listed as 

having joined in the 1907 instrument. Further, it appears the same three men signed both the 1907 

instrument and the 1906 mineral deed. However, only initials or nicknames are used to refer to 

those who executed the 1907 instrument rather than the more formal first names used in the 1906 

instrument. Finally, although it is not within the four corners of the 1908 release, we think it is 

significant that the recording information for the 1906 mineral deed is omitted from the 1908 

release. Generally, the recording information for the instrument to be released is specified in the 

release itself.

Appellees contend there is a latent ambiguity in the 1908 release that can be properly 

explained by parol evidence, which would connect the 1908 release to the 1906 instrument. A

latent ambiguity arises when a contract that is unambiguous on its face is applied to the relevant 

subject matter and an ambiguity appears by reason of some collateral matter. Ludwig v. Oncor 

Med., L.P., 191 S.W.3d 285, 290 (Tex. App.—Austin 2006, pet. denied). If a latent ambiguity 

arises from this application, extrinsic evidence is admissible for the purpose of ascertaining the true 

intention of the parties as expressed in the agreement. Id. Appellees contend that “1907” was 

mistakenly placed in the 1908 release when, in fact, the drafters meant “1906.”

A latent ambiguity exists when the contract appears to convey a sensible meaning on its 

face, but it cannot be carried out without further clarification. Id. A latent ambiguity does not 

readily appear in the language of a document, but instead arises from a collateral matter once the 

document’s terms are applied or executed and two or more possible meanings arise. See Latent 

Ambiguity, BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY (10th ed. 2014). Here, the 1908 release refers to a “contract 

or lease” executed in 1907 that has expired under its own terms. In contrast, the 1906 instrument is 

a conveyance of a mineral interest by deed without limitation. The numerous differences we 

described between the 1906 mineral deed and the “contract or lease” described by the 1908 release 

lead to the conclusion that the release of a 1907 contract or lease is not simply a mistaken date 

reference. The 1906 mineral deed and the 1908 release are unambiguous on their face. Applying 
11

both of them to the relevant subject matter, as expressed in the language of the documents, results in 

the conclusion that the 1908 release refers to some instrument other than the 1906 mineral deed, 

such as an unrecorded oil and gas lease. In other words, the reference to a 1907 instrument in the 

1908 release does not create a latent ambiguity when applied to the 1906 mineral deed.

Similarly, Appellees contend in a short paragraph in their brief that the error was one of 

mutual mistake, and that extrinsic evidence is admissible to show the parties’ true intent. Appellees

did not allege this theory in their pleadings or argue it in the trial court. But even if they had, we 

have concluded that both instruments are unambiguous on their face, and that given the numerous 

differences in the terms of the instruments, they are unconnected and no latent ambiguity is created 

when construing them. Parol evidence cannot be used to create an ambiguity in an unambiguous 

instrument. See Kachina Pipeline Co., Inc. v. Lillis, 471 S.W.3d 445, 450 (Tex. 2015).

Appellees also argue that the parol evidence rule does not prohibit the admission of evidence 

to contradict a false recital regarding the date a contract was signed. See Carr v. Christie, 970 

S.W.2d 620, 625 (Tex. App.—Austin 1998, pet. denied). Carr involved the allegation of fraud by 

one of the signatories to an employment contract. The respondent to a summary judgment motion 

attempted to show that the employment contract had been signed on a different date than the one 

stated. Id. at 622-24. When fraud is alleged, parol evidence is admissible to vary the terms of a 

contract or deed. See Lindsey v. Clayman, 254 S.W.2d 777, 780 (Tex. 1952). Here, Appellees did 

not allege fraud in the execution of the release.

As further argument that parol evidence may be used to show the date listed in the 1908 

release was incorrect, Appellees cite us to Maupin v. Chaney, 163 S.W.2d 380 (Tex. 1942). In that 

case, a foreclosure sale was challenged based on the property description in a deed of trust. Id. at 

383. The deed of trust stated that the property described was the same property conveyed by two 

named grantors to two named grantees on April 18, 1929. Id. Parol evidence showed that the only 

deed involving those grantors and grantees was actually dated April 9, 1929. Id. The court allowed 

the use of parol evidence, holding that if there appears in the instrument enough information to 

enable one by pursuing an inquiry based upon the information to identify particular property to the 

exclusion of others, the description will be held sufficient. Id. The court repeated the general rule 

that a description is adequate when it refers to another instrument that contains a proper description 

of the property. Id.

Those facts are distinguishable from the instant case. Here, all parties with knowledge of 

the transactions who could have testified are deceased, and in any event, as we have concluded, the 
12

instruments are unambiguous. Moreover, the parol evidence offered by Appellees consists of

testimony from an attorney who had reviewed the 1906 mineral deed and 1908 release. He offered 

possible explanations as to why the release included the “1907” date rather than “1906.” Such 

opinion testimony of a witness more than one hundred years after the document was signed can

only be conclusory or speculative. Opinion testimony that is conclusory or speculative is not 

relevant evidence, because it does not tend to make the existence of a material fact “more probable 

or less probable.” City of San Antonio v. Pollock, 284 S.W.3d 809, 816 (Tex. 2009) (citing TEX. R.

EVID. 401). This testimony could not be considered to vary the terms of an unambiguous 

instrument. 

We hold that the 1908 release is unambiguous and that it does not have a connection to the 

1906 mineral deed. Consequently, the trial court erred in determining otherwise and considering

extrinsic evidence to construe the instruments. 

Appellants’ first issue is sustained. Because we have sustained Appellants’ first issue, we 

need not address their second, third and fourth issues. See TEX. R. APP. P. 47.1. 

DISPOSITION

We have sustained Appellants’ first issue, which is dispositive. Accordingly, we reverse the 

trial court’s judgment and render judgment that Appellees take nothing, and that they have no 

interest in the oil, gas, and other minerals under the real property described in Volume 64, Page 64 

of the Deed Records of Nacogdoches County, Texas.

JAMES T. WORTHEN

Chief Justice

Opinion delivered July 12, 2016.

Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.

(PUBLISH)
COURT OF APPEALS

TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT OF TEXAS

JUDGMENT

JULY 12, 2016

NO. 12-15-00170-CV

LINDA ANN PARRISH RICHARDSON AND GARY BRUCE RICHARDSON, COTRUSTEES OF THE M.C. PARRISH, JR. TESTAMENTARY TRUST; JUDY 

CLEVELAND HUPPERT; JAMES COOKE WILSON, INDIVIDUALLY, AS COINDEPENDENT EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF BETTY VIRGINIA KILEY 

WILSON, DECEASED, AND AS TRUSTEE OF ALL TRUSTS CREATED UNDER THE 

WILL OF BETTY VIRGINIA KILEY WILSON; MARGARET WILSON RECKLING, 

INDIVIDUALLY, AS CO-INDEPENDENT EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF BETTY 

VIRGINIA KILEY WILSON, DECEASED, AND AS TRUSTEE OF ALL TRUSTS 

CREATED UNDER THE WILL OF BETTY VIRGINIA KILEY WILSON; RANSOM

CLARK LUMMIS; JANIE GRANGER SPICER; THOMAS S. DAVISON; FREDERICK 

R. LUMMIS II; PALMER BRADLEY LUMMIS; LINDA ANN PARRISH 

RICHARDSON AND GRAY BRUCE RICHARDSON, AS CO-TRUSTEES OF THE M.C.

PARRISH, JR. TESTAMENTARY TRUST; ROBERT L. BRADLEY, JR.; WILLIAM R. 

LUMMIS, JR.; CLYTIE HARRIS THOMAS PHELPS; MARY GAIL THOMAS 

CAMPBELL; JOHN K. HARDY; AND JOHN TURNER NEVITT,

Appellants

V.

DONALD ROGER MILLS, RHONDA MILLS, AND BEVERLY MILLS POOL,

Appellees

Appeal from the 145th District Court 

of Nacogdoches County, Texas (Tr.Ct.No. C1127605)
THIS CAUSE came to be heard on the appellate record and the briefs filed 

herein, and the same being considered, it is the opinion of this Court that there was error in the 

judgment as entered by the trial court below and that the same should be reversed and judgment 

rendered.

It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the judgment of 

the court in favor of Appellees, DONALD ROGER MILLS, RHONDA MILLS, AND 

BEVERLY MILLS POOL, be, and the same is, hereby reversed, and judgment is rendered 

that Appellees, DONALD ROGER MILLS, RHONDA MILLS, AND BEVERLY MILLS 

POOL, take nothing, that they have no interest in the oil, gas, and other minerals in the real 

property described in Volume 64, Page 64 of the Deed Records of Nacogdoches County, Texas.

All costs in this cause expended both in this Court and the trial court below 

be, and the same are, adjudged against the Appellees, DONALD ROGER MILLS, RHONDA 

MILLS, AND BEVERLY MILLS POOL, for which let execution issue; and that the decision 

be certified to the court below for observance.

James T. Worthen, Chief Justice.

Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.