Case Name: JACOB J. Q. TAYLOR vs. THOMAS W. TAYLOR
Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
Jurisdiction: North Carolina
Decision Date: 1849-06
Citations: 6 Ired. Eq. 26
Docket Number: 
Parties: JACOB J. Q. TAYLOR vs. THOMAS W. TAYLOR.
Judges: 
Reporter: North Carolina Reports
Volume: 41
Pages: 26–27

Head Matter:
JACOB J. Q. TAYLOR vs. THOMAS W. TAYLOR.
Though fraud, circumvention or undue influence will avoid the execution of a deed, yet fair argument and persuasion may be used without having that consequence.
Cause removed from the Court of Equity of Nash County, at the Spring Term 1849.
The plaintiff is the administrator of Mrs. Mary Taylor, who died in 184S, at the advanced age of ninety. He alleges, that for the last five or six years of her life, his intestate had entirely lost her intellect, and was incapable of making a valid contract; or, at all events, her mind had become very feeble, so as to render her easily influenced, liable to be imposed on, and an easy prey to any one, who chose to take advantage of her weakness: that in'1844, the defendant, by fraud, circumvention, and undue influence, procured his intestate to execute a deed, by which she conveyed to him, absolutely, all of her personal estate : That his intestate left, her surviving, a daughter and several grand-children, among whom are the plaintiff and defendant, who are brothers; and made no provision for any of them, except the defendant by the deed aforesaid. The prayer is, that the deed may be declared void, and surrendered up to be cancelled.
The defendant admits the execution of the deed. He denies, that his grandmother had entirely lost her intellect; but he admits, that her mind was quite feeble from old age. He alleges, that she executed the deed voluntarily. and with a full knowledge of its contents; and denies that any fraud, circumvention, or advantage was used to obtain its execution. He had the deed registered soon after it was executed, took possession of the property,-and supported the old lady for the rest of her life.
B, F. Moore, for the plaintiff.
Miller and Busbee, for the defendant.

Opinion:
Pearson, J.
Many depositions Were read on the heating. We are satisfied that Mrs. Taylor had mental capacity to make a deed, but she was very feeble, both in body and mind, and was in a condition to be easily imposed on.
There is no proof,that any fraud or circumvention was used, or any advantage taken of the old lady. The donee was her grand son; she executed the deed voluntarily and surrendered the possession of the property; the deed was registered ; and she lived four years afterwards, during which time she made no complaint of having been imposed on, and expressed no wish to have the deed set aside. Indeed, it appears, that the deed makes nearly the same disposition of her property, that she had made by a will executed the year before.
Fair argument and persuasion may be used to obtain the execution of a deed or will. There is no evidence in this case, that any advantage was taken or any undue influence exercised. The plaintiff fails entirely to make out a ground to assail a will, much less a deed.
Per Curiam.
Bill dismissed with costs.