Case Name: Gibson's Appeal
Court: Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Decision Date: 1855
Citations: 25 Pa. 191
Docket Number: 
Parties: Gibson’s Appeal.
Judges: 
Reporter: Pennsylvania State Reports
Volume: 25
Pages: 191–193

Head Matter:
Gibson’s Appeal.
"Where a testator devised lands to his sons, and as to his daughter M. ordered, that she should, “ in case of need, be supported in a comfortable manner of the proceeds of my land,” it was Held, that the maintenance of M. was a tharge upon the land devised to the sons, and that'the Orphans’ Court had exclusive jurisdiction to fix the amount, and enforce the payment of the sum required for that purpose.
If the decision of disputed facts be referred to the determination of the Orphans’ Court, without asking for an issue, to try them, their finding of such facts is as binding on appeal, as the verdict of a jury.
This was an appeal by Thomas Gibson from the decree of the Orphans’ Court of Butler county ordering him to pay the sum of $30.78 presently, and the like sum annually, to Mary Denny, towards her maintenance.
Thomas Denny, the father of Mary, died in 1841, having previously made his last will and testament, in which he devised to his sons John and Thomas respectively 74 acres of land, and to his son James 40 acres. And as to his daughter Mary, ordered that she should, “ in case of need, be supported in a comfortable manner of the proceeds of my (his) land, so long as she shall live.” The devisees entered upon and took possession of the land severally devised to them, in pursuance of the said devise. The interest of John was sold at sheriff’s sale, and became vested in Thomas Gibson, the appellant, who was in possession of the same.
In June, 1854, the petition of Mary Denny was presented to the Orphans’ Court, setting forth the devise and the charge in her favour upon the land, that Gibson was the owner of a part of the land charged with her maintenance, and also alleging her need of the support ordered by her father’s will. And prayed for a decree that respondent pay to her his proportionate share of such sum as the Court might deem proper and reasonable for her comfortable maintenance.
The answer of the respondent admitted that the lands devised were charged with the comfortable maintenance of the said Mary during her life only in case of need, and alleged that she was not in such circumstances as to require a resort to this charge upon the land.
The case was heard upon depositions of witnesses taken by the complainant and respondent respectively.
His Honour the President of the Court, after stating the case, and tho facts presented hy the evidence, delivered the opinion and made the following decree:—
“ From the whole evidence, we are convinced that the petitioner has made out a case of need, not absolute pauperism or want, as Mr. Gibson seemed to think when he refused to acknowledge any liability to Mary, but that need of support in a ‘comfortable manner’ which the testator contemplated. This being the case, the portion of the land devised to John Denny has become liable in the hands of his assignee, and must be subjected to the burthen of the charge upon it: Craven v. Blakeney, 9 Watts 19.
"Thomas Gibson, Esq., the respondent, became the owner of John Denny’s 74 acres, as the assignee of the purchaser at sheriff’s sale. By privity of estate he is therefore personally liable to the payment of the charge upon it. This, we think, is abundantly shown in the following cases: Mohler’s Appeal, 8 Barr 26 ; Shaffer’s Appeal, Ibid. 44; Horner v. Horner, 5 Barr 351; Lobaug's Case, 6 Watts 167.
" As the legal title still remains in Gibson, who will be liable to Wilson on his contract to convey, and as the land itself will be liable to the decree also, we conceive no personal liability should be visited upon the latter.
“ According to the evidence, it would require $2 a week, or $104 per annum, to support Mary. This is charged on the testator’s whole land, 250 acres. The proportion which 74 acres gives of this is $30.78, leaving the other portions to bear their own burden.
“ And now, to wit, March 26,1855, the Court order and decree, that Thomas Gibson, the respondent, pay to Mary Denny, the petitioner, until otherwise ordered by the Court, or until his estate in the premises cease, or if his estate in a part cease then in proportion to the remainder, the sum of $30.78 forthwith, with the cost of this proceeding, and a like sum of $30.78 yearly and every year hereafter, during the life of the said Mary Denny; and in default of such payment, that the premises (that is to say, the tract of 74 acres devised to John Denny by his father Thomas Denny, and now owned by the said Thomas Gibson), be sold at public sale at such time and place, on such terms and by such person as the Court shall hereafter on application specially decree, for the payment of the said annual sum and costs.”
In this Court the following exceptions were filed:—
1. The Orphans’ Court has no jurisdiction.
2. The decree is not in accordance with the spirit and meaning of the testator.
3. The amount to be paid per annum is more than is justified by the testimony.
J. N. Purviance, for appellant.
Grraham, for appellee.

Opinion:
The opinion of the Court was delivered by
Black, J.
Testator devised lands to his sons, and as to his daughter Mary, ordered that she should, " in' case of need, be supported in a comfortable manner of the proceeds of my land." This is a proceeding in the Orphans' Court, commenced by Mary against the present owner of part of the land, who claims under one of the devisees, to compel him to give her that share of her comfortable maintenance which is chargeable upon the land owned by him.
We have no doubt that the land is charged with this burden— directly charged; and we are equally clear that the Orphans' Court not only has jurisdiction, but exclusive jurisdiction of the subject. Indeed the answer does not deny that it is a charge. The ground of defence which the respondent has taken on the record is, that the complainant does not need a maintenance out of this land, having other means of support. This was a question of fact, to try which an issue might have been ordered. But none was demanded. The matter was left to the Court, and being determined by the Court, it is as binding on us as if it had been found in the same way by a jury. We may add, however, that the construction given to the will, the adjudication upon the evidence, and the shape of the decree, have our entire approbation.
Decree affirmed.