Source: https://chestofbooks.com/real-estate/Law-Of-Real-Property/Marriage.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 03:10:31+00:00

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The first requisite of curtesy is lawful marriage. If the marriage was absolutely void, no curtesy will attach; but if it is only voidable, and is not annulled during the wife's life, then the husband will take his curtesy.27 Birth of Issue-curtesy Initiate.
26 2 Bl. Comm. 126; Alexander v. Warrance, 17 Mo. 228. There is considerable difference of opinion as to the origin of curtesy. 1 Washb. Real Prop. (5th Ed.) p. 170; Wright, Ten. 192, 193; 2 Bl. Comm. 12G. Many questions which might arise in connection with curtesy will be found discussed in treating of dower (post, p. 83). The rules stated there may be applied by analogy to the estate by curtesy if similar questions should arise.
27 2 Bl. Comm. 127; 1 Washb. Real Prop. (5th Ed.) 172; Wells v. Thompson, 13 Ala. 793.
28 Schermerhorn v. Miller, 2 Cow. (N. Y.) 439; Comer v. Chamberlain, 6 Allen (Mass.) 166; Ryan v. Freeman, 36 Miss. 175. A child born out of wedlock, but made legitimate by a subsequent marriage, gives curtesy. Hunter v. Whitworth, 9 Ala. 965.
29 Day v. Cochran, 24 Miss. 261; Heath v. White, 5 Conn. 228, 236; Barker v. Barker, 2 Sim. 249; Sumner v. Partridge, 2 Atk. 46.
30 Brock v. Kellock, 30 Law J. Ch. 498; Goff v. Anderson, 91 Ky. 303, 15 S. W. 866; In re Winne, 1 Lans. (N. Y.) 508; Ryan v. Freeman, 36 Miss. 175; Doe v. Roe, 5 Houst (Del.) 14; Goff v. Anderson, 91 Ky. 303, 15 S. W. 866.
31 Co. Litt 29b; Marsellis v. Thalhimer, 2 Paige (N. Y.) 42.
32 Co. Litt. 29b; 2 Bl. Comm. 128; Jackson v. Johnson, 5 Cow. (N. Y.) 74; Comer v. Chamberlain, 6 Allen (Mass.) 166; Guion v. Anderson, 8 Humph. (Tenn.) 307; Heath v. White, 5 Conn. 236; Witham v. Perkins, 2 Me. 400. Cf. Hathon v. Lyon, 2 Mich. 93.
If curtesy has once become initiate, it will not be defeated by the subsequent death of the issue, either in the mother's lifetime or after her death.33 In several states the birth of issue is made unnecessary by statute,34 and in Pennsylvania the husband has curtesy if the issue, had any been born, could have inherited.35 Seisin of Wife.
33 Co. Litt 29b; 2 Bl Comm. 128; Jackson v. Johnson, 5 Cow. (N. Y.) 74; Heath v. White, 5 Conn. 235; Foster v. Marshall, 22 N. H. 491.
34 1 Stim. Am. St Law, § 3301 B; Kingsley v. Smith, 14 Wis. 360.
35 Brightly, Purd. Dig. Pa. "Intestates," 4.
36 The reason assigned for this is that the husband can at any time perfect the wife's seisin by making an entry. 2 Ham. Bl Comm. 233, note 32; Van-arsdall v. Fauntleroy's Heirs, 7 B. Mon. (Ky.) 401; Mercer v. Selden, 1 How. 37. For the difference between seisin in fact and in law, see ante, p. 31.
37 Co. Litt 29a; Stinebaugh v. Wisdom, 13 B. Mon (Ky.) 467; Petty v. Molier, 15 B. Mon. (Ky.) 591; Mercer v. Selden, 1 How. 37; Den v. Demarest, 21 N. J. Law, 525; Parker v. Carter, 4 Hare, 400, 416; Davis v. Mason, 1 Pet 507. Contra, Bush v. Bradley, 4 Day (Conn.) 298.
38 Wass v. Bucknam, 38 Me. 356; Reaume v. Chambers, 22 Mo. 36, 54; Bush v. Bradley, 4 Day (Conn.) 298; Kline v. Beebe, 6 Conn. 494; Mitchell's Lessee v. Ryan, 3 Ohio St 377; Powell v. Gossom, 18 B. Mon. (Ky.) 179; Ellsworth v. Cook, 8 Paige (N. Y.) 643; Mercer v. Selden, 1 How. 37; Mccorry v. King's Heirs, 3 Humph. (Tenn.) 267; Adams v. Logan, 6 T. B. Mon. (Ky.) 175; Wat-kins v. Thornton, 11 Ohio St 367; Rabb v. Griffin, 26 Miss. 579; Childers v. Bumgarner, 8 Jones (N. C.) 297.
39 Borland v. Marshall 2 Ohio St. 308; Day v. Cochran, 24 Miss. 261; Adair v. Lott 3 Hill (N. Y.) 182; Jackson v. Johnson, 5 Cow. (N. Y.) 74; Chew v. Commissioners, 5 Rawle (Pa.) 160; Stephens v. Hume, 25 Mo. 349; Harvey v. Wickham, 23 Mo. 115; Carr v. Givens, 9 Bush (Ky.) 679; Enis v. Dittey (Ky.) 23 S. W. 366; Merritt's Lessee v. Horne, 5 Ohio St 307; Eager v. Furnivall, 17 Ch. Div. 115; Withers v. Jenkins, 14 S. C. 597; Mckee v. Cottle, 6 Mo. App. 416.
41 See note 41 on following page.

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