Court Opinion

ID: 6502218
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-19 18:14:55.164608+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:54:38.502631
License: Public Domain

COLLIER, C. J.
It is perfectly clear, that the deed, by which the slaves in question were conveyed by Anderson Aber-crombie in trust for Martha E., created an estate to her sole and separate, use; in fact, it asserts, in terms most explicit, that such was the intention of the donor. This being the case, it was competent for her to d.spose of them by will. [Henly v. Philips, 2 Atk. Rep. 49; Ross v. Ewer, 3 id. 160; 3 Bro. C. C. 8.] In Rich *466v. Cockel, [9 Ves. Rep. 369,] the instrument expressed a trust for the separate use of the wife, without adding any power of disposition by deed, will or other writing. The Lord chancellor held, that as incident to such an interest, she might dispose of it by will. That although a married woman cannot, in contemplation of law, make a valid will, yet if she executes a writing, purporting to be a will of her separate property, a court of equity will treat it as such, and require it to be proved in the proper court before they will pronounce upon it; and probate will be granted without the assent of the husband. [Wagstaff v. Smith, 9 Ves. Rep. 520.] Whether, in the present case, the donee took such an interest in the slaves as would authorize her to dispose of them by will, we need not inquire; for, conceding that she was only entitled to their hire or earnings during her own life, she was expressly authorized by the donor to declare by will, in whom they should vest after her death. Without adding more on this point, we will proceed to inquire whether the facts disclosed in the bill, warrant the interference of chancery for the protection of the complainant’s rights.
Where a specific legacy is given to one for life, and after his death to another, the legatee in’ remainder was formerly entitled, in all cases, to come into a court of equity, and have security from the tenant for life for the delivery of the legacy to the remainder-man. But the modem rule is not to entertain such a bill, unless there be some allegation and proof of waste, or of danger of waste of the property. Without such ingredients, the remainder-man is only entitled to have an inventory of the property bequeathed to him, so that he may be enabled to identify it; and when his absolute right accrues, to enforce its due delivery. [1 Story’s Eq. 562; Foley v. Burnell, 1 Bro. Ch. Rep. 379; Slanning v. Style, 3 P. Wms. Rep. 336; Covenhoven v. Shuler, 2 Paige’s Ch. Rep. 132.]
Mr. Justice Story says, in all cases “where there is a future right of enjoyment of personal property, courts of equity will now interpose, and grant a relief upon a bill quia timet, where there is any danger of loss or deterioration, or injury to it in the hands of the party who is entitled to the present possession. [2 Story’s Eq. 140-1-2-3, and note 1; Randolph’s adm’rx v. Kinney, &c., 3 Rand. Rep. 397; Latimer, et al. v. Elgin, et al. 4 Dess. Rep. *46728-9-30; 1 Eq. Cases Ab. 360; Fearne on Rem. 414-15; Mad. Ch. 218; Lamb v. Wragg & Stewart, 8 Porter’s Kep. 83.]
The grounds, upon which the interposition of equity is asked in the case before us, are — 1. That the person entitled to a life estate in the slaves, is greatly embarrassed with debts, and judgments for a large amount have been recovered against him, and suits, for the recovery of more than four thousand dollars, are still pending. 2. He has made an assignment of much valuable property. 3. The complainants have been informed, that he is preparing speedily to remove the slaves in question. 4. They are apprehensive that executions will be levied on them, and they will pass into the hands of strangers and be carried without the State, so that the complainants will lose their rights, or be compelled to sue abroad for their recovery. 5. That Jonathan A. Hudson is entirely insolvent — has been arrested in Georgia on several writs of capias ad satisfaciendum, — has given bond for his appearance to take the benefit of the act for the relief of insolvent debtors; and according to the laws of that State, will be compelled to deliver up the slaves in controversy in order to obtain his discharge. 6. That Granberry Hudson has interposed a claim to them, which is now in a course of litigation between him and some of the judgment creditors of his co-defendant, in the circuit court of Russell.
Whether the bill, as originally filed, was such as authorized the precautionary or preventive redress which it sought, we will not inquire, as we think, what is called the amended and supplemental bill, presents a proper case for equitable interference. In the posture in which the case comes before us, we must take all the allegations of the complainant to be true This being the case, we are to suppose that Jonathan A. Hudson is insolvent — has been arrested on ca. sas. in Georgia — has given bond to take the insolvent oath, and that the laws of that State are such as they are alleged to be. It cannot be intended that the bond was given merely to obtain a temporary discharge from confinement; and it is quite as fair to infer that the principal obligor contemplated a literal performance of its condition, as that it was his purpose to satisfy the execution by the payment of the money. In fact, the latter presumption cannot be indulged consistently with the idea of insolvency. The execution of the bond, when considered in reference to the laws of Georgia, is equivalent to an *468avowal of intention to remove the slaves into that' State, that they might be there sold for the payment of the obligor’s debts. The allegation on this point shows, that the rights of those in remainder are in jeopardy, and require protection.
■Again: the assertion of a right to the slaves, by G. Hudson, and the litigation thereof with the judgment creditors of his co-defendant, is, in itself, a strong circumstance in favor of the relief sought. But whether this, and the grounds stated in the original bill, are sufficient to sustain the jurisdiction of the court of chancery, is an inquiry which we need not make; coupled with the ground already noticed, they detract nothing from its force, but greatly strengthen and support it. It follows from what has been said, that the chancellor erred in dismissing the bill for the want of equity. His decree is, consequently, reversed, and the cause remanded.