Case Name: Mary Oxnard and Others versus The Proprietors on THE KENNEBECK PURCHASE
Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Decision Date: 1813-06
Citations: 9 Tyng 179
Docket Number: 
Parties: Mary Oxnard and Others versus The Proprietors on THE KENNEBECK PURCHASE.
Judges: 
Reporter: Massachusetts Reports
Volume: 10
Pages: 187–189

Head Matter:
Mary Oxnard and Others versus The Proprietors on THE KENNEBECK PURCHASE.
Since the statute of 1785, c. 62, summons and severance will not he for co-helrs or joint-tenants. If they join in their action, notwithstanding the provision of the statute, the disability of one demandant abates the writ as to all, whether it exists at the commencement of the action, or occurs afterwards.
This was a writ of right, brought by sundry heirs to recover certain lands alleged to have descended to them from a common ancestor.
The tenants, at the last October term, pleaded, in abatement, “ that, since the last continuance of the writ, viz., on the 1st day of July last past, the said Caroline Fox, one of the . demandants in the said writ, intermarried with John Potter, Esq., and is now covert of the said Potter, her husband, who is yet living, viz., at Augusta aforesaid, and this, &c.; wherefore, inasmuch as the said J. P. is not joined in said writ, the said proprietors pray judgment of the said writ, and that the same may be quashed, and for their costs.” To this plea the demandants demurred generally, and the defendants joined in demurrer ; and the last term being holden by one judge only, the cause was continued to this term for judgment on the demurrer.
Mellen, in support of the demurrer.
By the statute of 1785, c. 62, heirs may join in their action, or one or more of them may bring their action. From the equity of that statute it should seem that the writ in this case would * not abate [ * 180 j for the cause alleged in the plea, except as to the demandant who has intermarried.
Wilde and Williams for the tenants.
The action stood continued nisi for advisement; and at the ensuing September term, in Berkshire, the opinion of the Court was pronounced by

Opinion:
Jackson, J.
No question was made in the argument as to the form of the plea in abatement filed in this case; and there is no doubt that the fact suggested is sufficient to abate the writ.
If there be two or more plaintiffs, a disability in one of them shall stop the proceedings of the others on their writ. And the effect is the same, whether the disability exists at the commencement, of the action, or occurs afterwards, provided the defendant takes notice of it seasonably by a proper plea.
This is the general rule. But there are some exceptions at common law, when the party disabled has been previously summoned and severed. If the party severed enter on the land demanded, or, being a female, is married after severance, these, being voluntary acts of one who has no longer any right to interfere in the action, nor to control the proceedings of the other- plaintiffs, shall not abate the writ. In the case at bar there has been no summons and severance ; and, of consequence, the disability of one of the demand-ants abates the writ as to all of them.
By the statute of 1785, c. 62, cited at the bar, co-heirs and joint-tenants may all, or any two or more of them may, join in a suit to recover their land, or each one may sue alone for his particular share. As they are not, since that statute, compellable to join, there is no further occasion for this method of excluding one of the claimants, who is not willing to prosecute with the others ; and it has been accordingly decided by this Court, that summons and severance will not now lie for co-heirs or joint-tenants, If still they do join, they are subjected to all the inconveniences of a joint action at common law.
This consequence is to be regretted, as it is obviously convenient and advantageous for all parties that such a claim [ * 181 ] * should be decided in one action, instead of subjecting them to the expense of a separate action for each demandant ; and heirs will be deterred from joining by the delay and expense to which they are exposed in a case like the present. But it is not competent to this Court to remedy the evil. The legislature alone could do it, if it should be thought of sufficient importance to deserve their consideration,
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
[Where a writ of entry is brought by several demandants, some of whom have no title, the names of the latter may be stricken out, and the others recover their share! of the property. — Thayer vs. Hollis, 3 Metc. 369.
See Maybury vs. Evans, 19 Wend. 625. — Gillet vs. Stanley, 1 Hill, 121.- F- H.]
The judgment of the Court is, that the plea in abatement is sufficient to abate the demandants' writ, and that the tenants recover their costs.
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
[As to misjoinder of plaintiffs, see Winsor vs. Lombard, 18 Pick. 57. — F. H.]
Gilb. Hist, and Pract. C. C. P. 254.
10 Co. 134.
[Vide Poor vs. Robinson, ante, 136. — Cutts vs. Haskins, 11 Mass. Rep. 56.—Ed.]
[Vide Stat. 1826, c. 70. — Ed.]