Case Name: M'Cluney vs. Lockhart
Court: South Carolina Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: South Carolina
Decision Date: 1827-06
Citations: 4 McCord 251
Docket Number: 
Parties: M'Cluney vs. Lockhart.
Judges: 
Reporter: South Carolina Law Reports
Volume: 15
Pages: 251–252

Head Matter:
M'Cluney vs. Lockhart.
The doctrine that where a parent suffers property to go and remain in the possession of a married child, a parol gift is. presumed, applies as well, where the property goes into the possession of the child at marriage as afterwards..
It is always a question of fact to he determined under all the circumstances, whether a gift was intended or not.
The presumption is strongest where the property goes into the possession of the child at marriage.
This was 'an action of trover for a slave. The plaintiff provéd that about a year after he had married the defendants daughter, the defendant permitted the negro in question to come, or sent her to his house, where the slave remained until the death of his daughter, when the defendant elaimied the negro. There was contradictory evidence, as to the fact whether the slave had been given or only loanéd.
Huger, J. who tried the cause charged the jury that the rule of law that 'wheré a párent suffered property to go with a child upon marriage, a gift was implied, did not apply in this case. That here the property went into the possession of the son in law, a year after marriage. That in such cases the rulé did not apply.
The jury found for the defendant arid the plaintiff appealed.
Williams, for the appeal.
Clendenen, contra.

Opinion:
Curia, per
Col'cock, J.
We are constrained to grant a new trial, for the position as stated by the court is not the law, and it may have influenced the jury in making up their verdict. The long and well established doctrine is that the presumption of a gift may arise from the circumstance of a parents sending a slave to a married child and suffering it to remain in the possession of such child without any express stipulation on the subject, and that whether the property be sent immediately on the mar- wage or some time after. The time at which it was sent may strengthen or weaken the presumption. If sent home with the child immediately on the marriage it is almost conclusive. If a long while alter, still the presumption may arise, although it is not so conclusive. If a long while after, still the presumption may arise, although it is not so conclusive. And this is manifest when we advert to the reason on which the doctrine is supported. There is a moral obligation on parents to provide for and support and assist their children according to their means; and for the honor of human nature most parents are equally pleased with their children when they are able to do so. This obligation does not cease when a child leaves its parent, unless such provision as is consistent with his situation in life is then made. It may not be in the power of a parent at the particular time of his childs marriage to assist him, but he may after-wards acquire the means of doing so. Some are disposed to withhold their assistance at first with a view to excite the child to proper exertions. These and thousand other reasons may retard the discharge of this moral duty, but it is a duty which can only end with life, and which a parent may be as much disposed to discharge at one period as another. In the case of Hatton vs. Banks the negroes were not sent when the young people first went home.
If this case had been submitted to the jury to determine whether under all circumstances it was not a gift yre should not have sent it back.
New trial granted.