Case Name: Charles Torrence against Joseph Irwin
Court: Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Decision Date: 1797-04
Citations: 2 Yeates 210
Docket Number: 
Parties: Charles Torrence against Joseph Irwin.
Judges: CORAM, YEATES AND SMITH, JUSTICES.
Reporter: Reports of cases adjudged in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania (Yeates)
Volume: 2
Pages: 210–210

Head Matter:
AT NISI PRIUS, AT CHAMBERSBURGH,
APRIL ASSIZES, 1797.
CORAM, YEATES AND SMITH, JUSTICES.
Charles Torrence against Joseph Irwin.
Landlord cannot maintain trespass quarc clausum, fregvt, aflea haying parted with his-entire possesssion to his lessee.
Trespass for breaking and entering the plaintiff’s close, and cutting down and carrying away certain trees. Pleas, non cut, et liberum, tenementum. The plaintiff became entitled to certain lands in Peters township, under a conveyance, dated 22d March 1777. In 1788, he leased the same to Joseph Grubb, for two years under certain rents, but the lessee was restricted from cutting green timber. The lease was continued down from that time to the present by successive written agreements, and Grubb was in possession, when the trespass was committed, and still continues in possession.
It was objected, that the landlord could not maintain trespass, not having any possession in fact.
Messrs. Hamilton and S. Riddle, pro quer.
Messrs. Duncan and Watts, pro def.

Opinion:
By the court.
This species of action is founded on possession, 4 Term Rep. 490 ; and the plaintiff at the time of the commission of the trespass, must either have an actual or constructive possession. 1 Term Rep. 480. Though it has been held, that where the owner of lands contracts with others for the sowing it &c. on the halves, he only can have clausum fregit, Cro. El. 144, 1 Leon. 315, Goulds. 77, 3 Leon. 213, 2 Tri. per Pais. 545, yet wre know of no case wherein the landlord having leased to another paying rent, and parted with the possession entirely, can support trespass. Vide 3 Lev. 209. 1 Ld. Ray. 739.
Verdict for the defendant.
[A new trial was moved for in December term following, but the court refused it una vocel\