Case Name: Abraham Roach vs. James Rutherford
Court: South Carolina Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: South Carolina
Decision Date: 1810-06
Citations: 4 Des. Eq. 126
Docket Number: 
Parties: Abraham Roach vs. James Rutherford.
Judges: Heard before Chancellor Desaussure.
Reporter: South Carolina Equity Reports
Volume: 4
Pages: 126–138

Head Matter:
Columbia.
Heard before Chancellor Desaussure.
CVSE XV IT.
Abraham Roach vs. James Rutherford.
The court will not set aside a contract for the purchase of a house and lot on the allegation of an imperfect or encumbered title, not clearly shewn to be so, after a long possession of the property by the purchaser, and after a confession of judgment for the purchase money. Such conduct amounts to a waiver of objections — though the court might give some relief, ultimately, if the title turned out to he really bad. The vendor having enforced the judgment for his purchase money, and bought in the property at a very 16\v rate, but offering to rescind the sale on payment of the debt, the court decreed accordingly.
The bill charges that the complainant in the month of Jane, 1806, purchased of the defendant a lot of land with improvements in Columbia, for the consideration of 0 1,300 ; for which lio gave defendant two notes of hand, and took from defendant a bond for titles, to be made when the whole of the purchase money should be paid. That when the notes became due, the complainant confessed judgment, not doubting the ability of the defendant to make titles | but, that afterwards, he learnt, that the-defendant had purchased the lots of oncMathiasRush, who had taken the benefit of the insolvent debtors’ act, and that the said lot was liable to the debts of Rush, many of which were judgments. That on looking into the clerk’s office, he found one judgment at the suit of Robert Patton, for a considerable amount unsatisfied ; and that several of the judgments are now open and unsatisfied. The bill further charges, that the complainant applied to Andrew Wallace, the acknowledged agent of defendant, for a sight of the title deeds ; and that Wallace would give no sort of satisfaction upon the subject; but ordered the sheriff to levy and sell under an execution issued on the said judgment. The bill further charges, that the complainant was desirous of selling the lot and house; hut that owing to said Andrew'Wallace’s refusal to submit the titles of the said James Rutherford., to the inspection of James S. Guigmml, lie was unable to do so without sacrificing the. property. That Rutherford ordered the sheriff' to proceed, and upon the sale he purchased the said lot at a low rate. The bill further charges, that the complainant has laid out and expended on the said lot, in good buildings, &c. between two and three thousand dollars. That after the complainant became acquainted with the circumstances of the case, he in-treated the defendant to take back the house and lot, which he refused, and actually levied for the balance of the debt upon two slaves of the complainant, for the purpose of satisfying the defendant’s demands. The bill prays that the defendant may be enjoined until he shews a good title to the lot, and for general relief.
JUNE, 1810.
The defendant in his answer sets, forth, that he admits the sale of the house and lot, &c. in the bill mentioned, by the defendant to the complainant, for the price, and on the terms therein stated; but insists that the .complainant has no right to complain, because by the terms of the bond which the defendant executed, and is exhibited by the complainant, he was not bound to make titles until the whole of the consideration money was paid: and that after a full knowledge of all the circumstances of this defendant’s title fairly disclosed, he made and entered freely and voluntarily into the said contract: and by virtue of that agreement, then entered on the possession, and has continued ever since by himself or tenants in the actual possession thereof; and that he still holds the possession, without the intervention or claim of any person whomsoever; and being conscious that lie had^purcbased of the defendant by a good title, long after the notes became due, ho confessed the judgment in the bill mentioned. But as soon as tiie defendant began to press for the recovery of his money, the complainant obtained an injunction and stayed the'defendant's proceeding, which injunction ivas afterwards dissolved and the bill dismissed. That the complainant did not ■allege in that bill the want of a title in the defendant, although he then possessed all the information on tiie subject which he possessed at the filing of his last bill: and .that Ms present bill is only filed to stay the payment of a just and honest debt. The defendant admits that he purchased the house, &c. of Mathias Rush, mentioned in the bilí, who never had, (as was well known to the complainant,) taken the benefit of the insolvent debtors' act in any of the courts in this state; nor arc there any judgments appearing against the said Mathias Rush, except one at the suit of Robert Patton, which has long ■ since been discharged and satisfied, as the defendant was informed and believes. The defendant further admits, that Rush purchased of J. Fleming, in the bill mentioned, who purchased of the commissioners appointed to seli the lands in Columbia: from whom the defendant deduces a title to himself; all which has been submitted to the complainant. And that Rush was not indebted beyond the value of his property, at the time the defendant became the purchaser of the lot in question : and that ■the defendant never has pretended that any one claiming to be a creditor of Rush, has ever set up any title to the lot in the hill mentioned. Thai if the complainant had performed his contract, she might have had the title from Rush, to the defendant recorded within the time prescribed by law ,* and that the defendant does not pretend thatltush has ever sold the said lot, &c. since the sale to the defendant. The answer further admits, that the complainant may have made the application in the bill mentioned, to Andrew Wallace, for a sight of the titles; but lie, not being an agent of defendant’s, but attending to bis affairs as a friend, might have refused to shew the said titles, before the filing of said bill to Abraham Roach or his counsel. The 'answer further admits, that the house and lot was purchased in for him at the sheriff’s sale, hut that the defendant is willing to release the purchase upon the payment of the principal and interest due him by the complainant. The answer further states, that after the sale of the house and lot,, he did proceed for the balance, expecting the complainant would hold him out of possession of house and lot, (not with a view' of imposing a bad title on complainant,) but for the enforcing a fair and just demand. The answer denies that the defendant was a stranger to the complainant, or that. there was any studied concealment of Uve circumstances in Uve defendant’s tille; but Unit at Uve time of Uve contract, ail circumstances were fairly and honestly exposed to the complainant.
Upon the heaving of the cause the following testimony was produced :
Mr. James Givignard, being sworn on the part of rowpiiiiaant, deposed, that Abraham Roach applied to the register’s office, to sec if Rutherford had any titles to a lot in Columbia, and none were found., Witness mentioned to Wallace, (agent for Rutherford,) that he would bo glád to see the titles. But Wallace declined ; saying, though he had .such titles in his possession-, ho would not shew them, as lie did not foe] justified to do so.
On the day of sale, he heard Roach again make enquiry of Wallace, of the titles of Rutherford ; but, he said, he would not shew him any titles at all. But Wallace told witness, Ive would give Uve titles to Mr. Etarke, (attorney at law for Rutherford,) who might do as lis pleased with them. There, are two judgments on record against Rush — one satisfied. There are- no titles on record from Iiush to any oilier person. There is a regular deduction of title from the commissioners to Rush. Roach has been in possession of the house and lot for four or five years past.
Mr. Taylor was sworn, and deposed, that Ive findersiood from Mr. WAilace, that' he was agent of Rutherford, and received particulars about the sale of the house and lot in Columbia. Witness was then deputy sheriff. The- property was sold under two of Riither-Ibrd’s executions (on this contract) and sold for 700 or 30 750. but no titles have ever been made by the sheriff. ■as Mr. Rutherford declined them.
Mr. Egan was sworn as a witness for complainant. He applied to Wallace for Rutherford’s titles, so Unit Roach ¡night be safe. He refused t,o shew them. Witness applied to Wallace, and enquired for incumbrances. Witness found an exeentionin the office against Roach for $> 250, and costs ,3 S2 ; and a return to it of nulla bona, in April 1805, on a judgment at suit of Patton.
Mr. Starke, counsel for complainant,
produced aw agreement between Patton and Roach, for a lot of land. and judgment by Patton against Roach fornon payment of' the purchase money. No titles for the land from Patton to Roach. Wherefore, as far .as the lots go they arc a security for the purchase money to Patton. Mr. Starke also produced a conveyance from Roach to Rutherford, on lfith May 1804, of the land in dispute, regularly proved, but not recorded, which had been left with Wallace for Roach. Produced the examination of Chas. Williamson, a witness for defendant, to shew that the judgment was paid off, as he was informed, by Barrage Purvis; but lie was sure the -payment was made.
Mr. Wallace, a witness for defendant,
deposed, that Pic titles of Mr. Rutherford to the land, were left with him by Mr. Rutherford, to deliver to Roach when the money should be paid, and his powers extended no further. Rutherford placed in witness’ hands, deeds from himself to Roach (September 1810) to be delivered when the mo-dey should be pi'tid. Witness placed the title in the hands of Mr. Starke, after the time of probate, in August 1807, to shew Roach if he deemed it proper : and witness told Mr. Starke of it. This power was to deliver-the titles when the money was paid. He refused to show them to Roach. After many repeated evasions by Roach, the sale was ordered, and he was authorized to go up in bidding at the sale, to the debt and costs. But no person hid against him, and he bid it off low. Witness offered to let the amount of Patton’s judgment remain in Roach’s hands, till the matter was clean'd up.
Mr. Egan says, he applied to Mr. Wallace for the titles, hut could not get them. Mr. Starke, says, ever since he has had thpin, he has been ready to shew them. Mr. Starke stated, that he had them, and declared he-was ready to produce them, wiicncver'they were wanted, He produced in evidence Rutherford’s bond to Roach, to make titles on payment of g 1,300.

Opinion:
Afterthe hearing, and after argument, tffe chancellor made the following decree :
This is an application to the count to relieve the,complain ant irons a judgment at law, which has been oh-tamed against him, as above stated: And, indeed, tore-lievo him from a contract, by which lie became the purchases' of a house and lot in Columbia, for which he gave his notes, on which the judgment was obtained. The relief is sought on several grounds.
First, — That the defendant had not a good title in him, so as to insure a perfect and indefeasible title to the complainant.
Second, — .That defendant has delayed very long in making out or disclosing his title to the complainant^ who, therefore, is entitled to this relief.
Third., — That the property is encumbered by judgments, which render the enjoyment of the estate precarious.
The complainant also states, that the sale of the house, made under the judgment at law of this defendantt, was •injured by the improper conduct df the defendant's agent, in refusing to shew the titles of the vendor; by which means purchasers were afraid to engage in the purchase, and the defendant was enabled to become tlic buyer of the property, at less than a fourth of its value $ and he seeks relief from that sale. And he also seeks reimbursement ibr large and expensive improvements put on the lot.
I have considered the circumstances of this case, and the arguments of counsel. It was argued by the solicitors for the complainant, very much as il this was a case resting solely in contract, and as if the vendor was now asking the aid of the court to carry that contract .into specific execution; in which case, the court exercises a high legal discretion, and either grants or refused that aid, according to the circumstances and thecquity of the case. But, that is by no means the real situation of the. parties, or of the transaction. Upon the agreement to purchase the house and lot in question, the purchaser, Mr. Roach, was satisfied to take a bond from Mr. Rutherford, the seller, dated the 19th June, 1806, by which he engaged, whenever the'sum of §1,300 was paid to him by Mr. Roach, to make good and sufficient titles to- the Louse and lot, to the said Abraham Roach or Lis re-presentativcs : And Mr. Roach gave bis notes of band, for the amount of the purchase money, payable at fixed periods, in the ordinary mode of giving notes. In pursuance of this agreement, Sir. Roach was put into possession of the bouse and lot, winch he has held and cn-joyed peaceably ever since, and put great improvements thereon. And by the bond which he took from Mr. Rutherford, it appears that he was to pay the money before lie was to have titles made to him for the house raid lot. That Money not having been paid at the time the notes fell due, the same., after some indulgences, were placed in suit, and judgment recovered upon them, against Sir. Reach j to avoid which judgment and a sale made thereunder, and to be relieved from the contract, as before stated, Mr. Iloach comes to this court, This was certainly an incautious bargain, by which he put himself very much in the power of the other party; anil placed himself in a position far different from that wherein the vendor is obliged to come to the court to ask its aid, to oblige the purchaser to go into a specific execution of the, contract. Yv'lierc the seller is obliged to come to the court for aid, a number of principles and rules are brought into operation, to protect the purchaser and to secure him a good title ; but, a matc-rial dltlbrcnce is made between establishing and rescinding an agreement. In the former case, a purchaser may demand an abstract of the title, and the court will at least nee that he has a good title, to amoral certainty, before, it will force him to ¡icccptthc tille and pay his money. Eat here, all is i'cvei'sod $ the party gave positive notes for ¡he money, and stipulated that ho should pay the mo-r-ey, before he, should have a title.
It is true, nevertheless, that the court will, in a clear and strong case, protect, a purchaser against the payment of his bond for the purchase money, <;r will even assist him in recovering it hack, if already paid, especially if no conveyances'he* yet executed'5 provided it shall be made to appear that the vendor cannot make Lins a good title: or he may, if he has only made a deposit of part «rtlio purchase money, recover back that deposit, even at jaw. But in sack case, it is not sufficient to shew that the title lias been deemed bad by conveyancers, but lie must prove the titles bad. See Sagden, 157 ; and 4 Espin. Rep. case 221, Camfield vs. Gilbert.
It was objected, on the other hand, by the defendant, that the complainant could not come to this court for relief, because he might have set up the pleas, which forms the foundation of his complaint in this bill, as a defence to the suit at law. That, however, is not certain, for it has not yet been settled, whether a court of law will enter into equitable objectisns to a title, whore a purchaser is plaintiff. And where the vender is plaintiff at law, to recover the purchase money from the vendee, the only ground on which it is said, that a court of law may in such action, take cognizance of equitable objections to a title, is, that as the vendor brings his action on the contract, and on the equitable circumstances between the parties, therefore, the equitable defe. ee may be set up. This, however, is doubtful ; for it rests on the authority of a single modern decision, made by the court of king's bench, in Shaw vs. Jackman, 4 East. 201. But if the point were more settled, it would not apply to this case, for the plain tiff at law, Rutherford, who is defendant iu' this suit, did not sue at law on the equitable circumstances between the parties. He brought a suit upon plain notes of hand, which did not there open the contract at all. I do therefore think, that as the complainant's remedy would have been very doubtful at law, he is not precluded from coining here for relief; mid this court would give him relief, if lie made out a proper case.
This has been attempted, and the complainant's counsel have relied on various grounds to support such a case.
It was insisted that the defendant ought to have made out a good title, and to have shewn it to the complainant : that his refusal or neglect lo do so, entities the complainant to relief; that even if lie could make out a good title, lie comes too late for specific execution, after Biich a great length of time. He ought to have done it in a reasonable time ; and that time is essential in such contracts. That the title, as at last made out, is objectionable, as the deed from Rush to Rutherford, has never been recorded, as required by law; and as there was an outstanding judgment which bound the land in favor of Rush, for $250 and costs.
The defendant, in answer to these objections, insists, that the complainant made no such defence to the suits brought long after the contract on the notes for the purchase money ; but confessed judgment thereon, and that m en when be hied a bill in equity upon another point, on this contract, which was dismissed, he made no mention of the present subject of complaint. And to be sure, this conduct on the part of the complainant furnishes a-strong presumption that he liad been satisfied of the goodness of the title j which opinion is greatly strengthened by the defendant's swearing in his answer, (which is uncontradicted in this point) that at the time of entering' into the contract, ho exhibited his title, to the complainant, part of which is noted and set forth in tlic bond which be gave to make good titles ; with which the complainant after a full knowledge thereof, and of ail the circumstances truly set forth and disclosed, was satisfied and entered freely and voluntarily into the contract; and did then take possession by the defendant's permission, of the house and lot, which he has held and kept ever since, and received the rents and profits undisturbed, and without any claim by any person whatever.
Tills certainly is a very conclusive answer to the complainant; for as the title was exhibited to him, and lie was so well satisfied as to give positive notes for the money, and afterwards to .confess judgment on them, and to take and bold possession for many years, and to put great improvements on the lot, it is extraordinary that he should now attempt to setup objections, which lie '.>oyht to have dene >ug before. The court must listen ¿lb suspicion to cn'.h objections gfter such a lapse of íj?ne. The decided cases are strong on this point, ami establish that where the vendee proceeds in the treaty for the parchase, after ho is acquainted with the title and the nature of the tenure, and does not object to it, ho will be. bound to fulfil his contract. Sec 4 Bro. C. C. 494, Fordyce vs. Ford ; 6 Vez. jr. 670 : and 10 Vez. jr. 508, and 1 Vez. jr. 221, Colcraft vs. Roebuck.
The takingpossession and keeping it for so many years, is greatly relied upon by the court in such cases; it is even deemed a waiver of objections to the title. See 12 Vezey, 25 6, Fludyer vs. Cocker. And this will be more relied upon in this country than in England, because it not only operates as a waiver of objections to the title, but as a positive title after the lapse of five years. For our statute of limitations fixes five years instead of sixty, as in England ; and it operates as a bar to the right, and not merely to the remedy,j as it does in England. Now the complainant has been in quiet and entire possession himself of the property for more .than five years, under the permission and the consent of the defendant, who had held it sometime before. If -it be answered, that this may not be an indefeasible title, as there may be infancy or coverture, or absence from the state, which would prevent the statute of limitations from being operative, the reply is conclusive: It is incumbent on you who object this, to prove it, after such circumstances of waiver, on your part, and of complete undisturbed enjoyment by you for the full time required by the statute. Upon this ground, therefore, I do not consider' the purchaser, who is the complainant, after long acquiescence and possession, as entitled to relief in this court, to get rid of a contract under such circumstances. But, in reality, there does not seem to be. any just ground to complain of the title itself, as deduced by defendant and stated to complainant. • it is deduced regularly from the commissioners of Columbia, to Mr, Rutherford. Every link in the chain seems to be com- * plctc. And if the defendant had been in default as to his title, as represented by the complainant, still, according to the decided cases, the defendant might and would he at liberty to perfect his title, at the time of the decree, so as to have the benefit of his contract. For the direction of the court to tiie master, is to enquire whether the seller can, not whether lie could, make a title at the time of executing the agreement. — See Sugden, 250 ; 2 P. Williams 629, Langford vs. Pitt; 6 Vez.jr. 646, Jenkins vs. Hill; 7 Vez.jr. 268, Seton vs. Slade ; 7 Vez. jr. 202, Wynne vs. Morgan ; 10 Vez. 294 ; and this is the rule at law too, 1 Rep. Cases, 184. And these cases operate, even where there had been a limitation of time to complete the contract: for time is not generally deemed essential in such cases, though it may become so, if evident disadvantages arise to the purchaser from the delay. See 7 Vez.jr. 265, Slade vs. Slade; 1 Atk. 12; 4 Vez. 689 ; 4 Bro. 469. In this case, the purchaser has no pretence for he stipulated for no time; nay, agreed to postpone his-having any title till he paid the purchase money' — and the delay of that has been his own fault.
An objection was relied on, that the deed from Rush to Rutherford has never been recorded ; and that it exposes the purchaser to inconveniences from double sales, and from judgments against Rush. Undoubtedly it was a neglect in Rutherford not to have recorded this deed, and might have exposed the purchaser to serious inconveniences. . But the conduct of the purchaser in so long waiving all objections to the title, diminishes his right to object at this time, and the strength of his possession takes away the apprehension of his suffering any ill consequences. Besides, the complainant has not shewn that-these effects have followed. The court will enquire whether any other deed from Rush is recorded, and -order-, this deed to be recorded immediately.
As to the judgment on record againt Rush, it would, if it still bound this land, he a subject of compensation ' sind deduction, and not of recision of the contract ,*— for it must bo indifferent to the purchaser to whom he pays bis money, provided he is not asked to pay more than tlie amount of his purchase. But according'to the cases decided at law, the possession of a bona ñde purchaser, will protect, under the statute of limitations, the holder of real estates as w ell as personal, against the operation of judgments. In this case, I presume the operation of the judgment in question is barred by the statute, upon the possession proved. But some precaution may be used to make the purchaser secure beyond all doubt.
The complainant also sought relief against the sale of the house and lot, which was bought in very low by the defendant, at the sale under his judgment and execution founded on the notes. I am not sure, that the evidence would have borne me out in setting aside the sale in this case. There does not appear to have been any fraud intended by the friend or agent of Mr. Rutherford. But, as the salé was made at a price very greatly below the value, and as that effect may have been produced by the extreme caution of the friend of Mr. Rutherford, which made him reluctant to produce the title deed from Rush to Rutherford, which might have discouraged purchasers, I am very glad that the defendant has offered to rescind the sale, and to give the complainant an opportunity of obtaining a fairer price for the property, if he should not he able to complete his payments, so as to prevent a resale. I gladly lay hold of this concession, which is just and proper in itself, and indicates a liberal temper in the defendant towards the complainant, to -set aside the sale which has been made of the house and lot under the judgment and execution.
It is therefore ordered and decreed, that it be referred to the commissioner to enquire and report if there be any conveyance on record, or mortgage of the house and lot in question, from Mathias Rush to any other person than to Mr. James Rutherford ; and also, if there be no other judgment on record against the said Rush, than that in favor of Patton, for the sum of § 250 and coste of suit. And that upon its appearing that there is such conveyance or mortgage, that the defendant do deposit the conveyances which form his title to the said house and lot, properly recorded, or certified copies of such as are not in his possession, in iho hands of the commissioner, to be kept in safety by him until the complainant shall pay the amount of the purchase money, due by Abraham Roach to defendant, James Rutherford ,• and thereupon, to be delivered to the complainant.
Mr. Starke for complainant.' — Egan for defendant.
That with respect to the judgment standing against the said Mathias Rush, and supposed to bind the said bouse and lot, it is ordered and decreed, that the complainant shall be at liberty to retain the amount appearing to be due on the face of the judgment and the costs, out of the purchase money, for the space of two years; and if, in the mean time, the same shall be revived, the complainant may apply so much of the purchase money to pay off said debt.
It is also further ordered and decreed, that the sale heretofore made of the said house and lot,, under the judgment and execution of the said defendant, be set aside; and that upon the delivery of the title deeds by the defendant to the commissioner, for the complainant as above directed, the injunction be dissolved, and the defendant be at liberty to proceed to á resale of the house and lot under his judgment at law. The complainant to pay th.e costs of suit.
HeNky W. Desaussu.ee.
An appeal was made from this decree; but it was af-terwards abandoned.
The only two decisions on the point, ave, one made by lord Kenyon, 8 Term, Rep. 516, that the judges at law could not take notice of an equity title; and the other by lord Alva dy, 3 Bos. and Pull that the purchaser might recover his deposit at la-v, on equitable objections to the t-itlo?
I wish to avoid being misunderstood on this subject. I by nor means mean to say, that the court would he disposed to oblige the pur-, chaser to take a title, depending wholly on the statute of limitations^ where the vendor came to the court, to compel the purchaser to a spiy qifie execution. of a «ontrset. But that is not the case here.