Case Name: Francis M. Holmes & others vs. George C. Winchester & others
Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Decision Date: 1885-02-27
Citations: 138 Mass. 542
Docket Number: 
Parties: Francis M. Holmes & others vs. George C. Winchester & others.
Judges: 
Reporter: Massachusetts Reports
Volume: 138
Pages: 542–543

Head Matter:
Francis M. Holmes & others vs. George C. Winchester & others.
Worcester.
Oct. 3, 1884.
Feb. 27, 1885.
C. Allen & Colburn, JJ., absent.
An estate of homestead, under the St. of 1855, c. 238, does not exist in land held in common and undivided.
While the St. of 1855, c. 238, was in force, a parcel of land was purchased by a firm with a view to its occupancy by one member as his home. Immediately after-the purchase, the amount was charged to this member on the books of the firm, and he took possession of it and occupied it. After the repeal of the St. of 1855, the other partner released his interest to the one in possession. Held, that no estate of homestead was acquired under the statute.
Writ of ENTRY, by the assignees in insolvency of the estate of George 0. Winchester, against said Winchester, Sarah W. Winchester, and Susan A. Whitney, to recover a certain parcel of land in Ashburnham. Trial in the Superior Court, before Knowlton, J., who allowed a bill of exceptions, in substance as follows :
It appeared that the demanded premises constituted the dwelling-place of George C. Winchester; and that it was conveyed to him at several times by various parties.
The first tract purchased was conveyed to Charles Winchester and George C. Winchester, on June 10, 1856, by one Austin Whitney; and on January 17,1859, Charles Winchesteureleased his interest in it to George C. Winchester, by a deed in which George C. Winchester joined in the granting clause, the grantors being described as “traders, and doing business under the style of C. and G. C. Winchester.” The in testimonium, clause began as follows: “ In witness whereof, we, the said Charles Winchester, Nancy M. Winchester, and George C. Winchester (as partners in the firm) have hereunto set our hands and seals.” All the other portions constituting the dwelling-place were conveyed to George C. Winchester after the conveyance by Whitney.
It appeared that, on August 30, 1879, certain of the creditors of George C. Winchester instituted proceedings in insolvency against him; that the plaintiffs were appointed assignees of his estate; and that on January 26, 1880, the estate of said Winchester was duly assigned to them.
Sarah W. Winchester was the wife of George C. Winchester, they having been married about 1849.
George C. Winchester and Sarah W. Winchester contended that they were entitled to a homestead in the tract described in the deed from Whitney ; and offered to prove that the land described in said deed was bought and paid for by the firm of C. and G. C. Winchester with a view to its being occupied as a home by George C. Winchester; that, immediately after it was bought, the purchase money was charged by the firm to George C. Winchester, and he began to alter and improve the property, fitting the building upon it for a dwelling-house for himself to live in; that the alterations and repairs were completed in March, 1857, and in that month he began to live in it with his family; and that he and his family have ever since occupied it as a homestead.
The judge ruled that the facts offered to be proved would not, if established, constitute a defence to the action; excluded the evidence ; and directed a verdict for the demandants. The tenants alleged exceptions.
F. A. Gaskill, for the tenants.
S. Hoar, for the demandants.

Opinion:
Field, J.
George C. Winchester and Sarah W. Winchester, his wife, two of the tenants, claim under the St. of 1855, c. 238, an estate of homestead in the tract of land conveyed by Austin Whitney to Charles Winchester and George C. Winchester on June 10, 1856. But until Charles Winchester released his interest in this tract to George C. Winchester, on January 17, 1859, the two Winchesters were tenants in common of the land. An estate of homestead was not created by that statute in land held in common and undivided; and the statute was repealed before the conveyance of January 17, 1859. St. 1857, e. 298, § 18. Thurston v. Maddocks, 6 Allen, 427. Bates v. Bates, 97 Mass. 392. Howes v. Burt, 130 Mass. 368. Weller v. Weller, 131 Mass. 446.
The evidence offered by Mrs. Winchester had no tendency to prove that she was seised of a legal estate of freehold in the demanded premises, or in any part of them.
Exceptions overruled.