Case Name: Jackson, ex dem. Helmer, against Harter
Court: New York Supreme Court of Judicature
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1817-05
Citations: 14 Johns. 226
Docket Number: 
Parties: Jackson, ex dem. Helmer, against Harter.
Judges: 
Reporter: Johnson's Reports
Volume: 14
Pages: 226–227

Head Matter:
Jackson, ex dem. Helmer, against Harter.
NEW-YORK,
May, 1817.
Where two contiguous patents had become forfeited to the state, and the commissioners of forfeitures granted a lot in one patent to A- and an adjoining lot in the other patent to B. without reference in the deeds to the boundaries of the patents, it "was held, that whatever difficulty there might be as to the true boundary between the patents yet that as the title to both was in the state, and the commissioners plight grant without refer ence to the boundary. A., who had the pri or grant of tne premises in question, as part of one patent was entitled to hold them, although according to the true location they m ght he comprehended within the pther patent.
THIS was an action of ejectment which was tried before Mr, Justice Van Ness, at the Herkimer circuit, in June, 1816.
The premises in question were claimed by the plaintiff as part of lot No. 1., in the subdivision of great lot No. 5., in the general division of Glen’s purchase, in the town and county of Herkimer. The plaintiff gave'in evidence a deed from two of the commissioners of forfeitures of the western district, to James Caldwell, dated the 27th of August, 1788, for the lot No. 1., which was described therein as lot No, 1., in the division of lot No. 5„ in the patent to Glen, De Lancey, and others, and which had become forfeited by the attainder of De Lancey, estimated as containing 125 acres. Caldwell, by deed dated the 16th of July, 1794, conveyed to the lessor of the plaintiff.
The defendant claimed the premises as part of lot No. 165., in the first allotment of the patent to Sir William Johnson, called the royal grant, and produced in evidence a deed of lot No. 165., from the commissioners of forfeitures of the western district, to Peter Bellinger, Adam Harter, Michael Myers, and Frederick Harter, dated the loth of February, 1788, which was described therein as lot No, 165., in the first allotment of thepatentto Sir William Johnson, which had become forfeited by the attainder of Sir John Johnson. Three of the grantees, by deed dated the 1st of January, 1790, released their interest to Frederick HarterK the other grantee. The boundary line between the two patents had been run by directions of Sir William Johnson, in 1772, according to which the premises in question would be included in Glen’s purchase ; and in 1786 a boundary line between the patents was run by John Van Alen, by order of the commissioners of forfeitures, by which the premises fell within the patent to Johnson. A variety of testimony was given at the trial as to the true location of the patents, but which it is unnecessary to state.
A verdict was found for the plaintiff, subject to the opinion of' the court.
Ford, for the plaintiff
Storrs, contra.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
The lessor of the plaintiff claims the premises Both patents had become forfeited, and the title vested in the people of this state. Whatever difficulty, therefore, might have existed with respect to the lines, the commissioners had a right to convey, without reference to the division line between the patents. They caused the land to be run out by John E. Van Alen; and they conveyed according to Van Alen's survey. The deed to the defendant is the oldest, and ought to hold the land. Though the deeds of the respective parties mention the lots in the different patents, the plaintiff's, as being lot No. 1., in the subdivision of Lot No. 5., in' Glen's purchase, and the as being lot No, 165., in the royal grant; yet, in the boundaries, no mention in either deed is made of between the two patents. We are, accordingly, of opinion, that the defendant is entitled to judgment. in question, as being in lot No. 1., of lot No. 5~, in Glen'.~ purchase. The defendant claims the.same, as being in lot No. 165., in the royal grant. rfhcre is considerable difficulty in ascertaining the true line between these patents; but this Is not very important for the purpose of settling the present question. Both parties claim under deeds from the commissioners of forfeitures.
Judgment for the defendant.