Case Name: James & Mitchell Love, vs. Mary Dennis
Court: Constitutional Court of South Carolina
Jurisdiction: South Carolina
Decision Date: 1823-11
Citations: 1 Harp. 70
Docket Number: 
Parties: James & Mitchell Love, vs. Mary Dennis.
Judges: Huger, Johnson, JTott and Richardson, Justices, concurred.
Reporter: South Carolina Law Reports
Volume: 16
Pages: 70–72

Head Matter:
James & Mitchell Love, vs. Mary Dennis.
Wife of a tenant, remaining in possession after her husband’s death, shall not be permitted to set up a title against the husband’s landlord.
Tenant shall not be permitted, by taking a lease from a third person, to aid such done in setting up a title against the landlord.
In this case it appeared that the defendant, was the wife of the tenant to the plaintiff, and the presiding judge refused to permit her to question the title of plaintiff; and a verdict was giv-eh for plaintiff, A motion was now mads for a new trial, on the ground, that the rule cannot apply to the wife of a tenant; that by death, the connexion of husband and wife being dissolved,, she must be considered as a stranger to the plaintiff.

Opinion:
The opinion of the Court was delivered by
Jtir. Justice ColcorJc.
It is a universal rule that a tenant shall not be permitted to set up any objection to the title of his landlord: and this is not merely a technical rule, but one founded in public convenience,, 'and policy. 1. Selwyn, 542.
And this rule applies to all kinds of tenancy'', whether for years, at will, or by sufferance. Now the defendant in this case must be considered as a tenant. When she. entered, it was by virtue of the lease to her husband: she was then by law identified with him: they were one. If the term was unexpired at his death, it would enure to the benefit of the estate of the deceased. But suppose she was not tcchuicallya tenant; the point cannot be disputed, that any cne who goes into possession by permission of another, whether as tenant or otherwise, must restore such possession: and this results from the principles of justice, as well as the rales of policy, and I think was decided in the case of Wilson ads. Wcatliersby. There the defendant, who had been, a tenant, went out of the possession for a time and returned again. It was contended, that under these circumstances, he ought not to he considered as a tenant, and that the rule could not apply to him. But, Mr. Justice Clvevcs, who delivered the opinion of the court, observes, "that the ground was founded on a misconception of the principle, which is not confined to cases of tenancy, in the common acceptation of the term.These cases have only furnished examples of the application of tlie principle, which is, that wherever a defendant has entered into possession under the plaintiff, he shall not bo permitted* while he remains in possession, to dispute the plaintiff's title. He has a right to purchase any title he pleases, but he is bound, bona fide, to give up possession and to bring his .action to try title," and he refers to 6 Johnson, 34, Jackson, ex. dem. Smith vs. Steward. 2. Binney, 471, Galloway vs. Ogle. The same position is laid down in Richardson, vs. Broughton, 2. Nott and M'Cord, 417,
It was said however, that the defendant's husband, had taken a lease from. Gréen, áfter he went in under the plaintiff, and that she must therefore be considered as holding from Greem But this would be permitting her to commit a fraud for the benefit of another, which she would not be permitted to commit for her own benefit. The same principle which prevents her from Getting up a title in her self, will prevent her from aiding another in doing so.
The motion is dismissed. —
Huger, Johnson, JTott and Richardson, Justices, concurred.
Reported in note* 1. Watt and M'Card, 373..