Case Name: Henry Staples, Executor, vs. Levi Staples et al.
Court: Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Decision Date: 1897-10-21
Citations: 20 R.I. 264
Docket Number: 
Parties: Henry Staples, Executor, vs. Levi Staples et al.
Judges: Present: Mattesou, C. J., Stiness and Tillingliast, JJ.
Reporter: Rhode Island Reports
Volume: 20
Pages: 264–264

Head Matter:
Henry Staples, Executor, vs. Levi Staples et al.
PROVIDENCE
OCTOBER 21, 1897.
Present: Mattesou, C. J., Stiness and Tillingliast, JJ.
When a mortgagor remains in the possession of the mortgaged premises for more than twenty years, without paying interest on the mortgage note, or recognizing it as an existing obligation, there is a presumption that the mortgage has been paid or released.
Bill in Equity for an accounting under, and the foreclosure of, an unrecorded mortgage many years outstanding.
Heard on pleadings and proofs.
Irving Ohamplin, for complainant.
James Tillingliast, William It. Tillingliast and Theodore F. Tillingliast, for respondents.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
The testimony shows that the mortgagor has remained in possession of the mortgaged premises for more than twenty years, without the payment of interest, or a recognition by him of the mortgage as an existing obligation. These facts give rise to a presumption that the mortgage has been paid or released. 2 Jones Mort. 4 ed. § 1195, 1196. Consistently with this presumption, the respondent, Levi Staples, testifies that his mother, the mortgagee, forgave him the mortgage debt,, and in this he is corroborated by the testimony of his wife, and also of his brother Charles. We think, therefore, that the bill must be dismissed with costs.