Court Opinion

ID: 8503284
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-23 01:24:46.312007+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:50:46.679414
License: Public Domain

Woodbury, J.,
pronounced the opinion of the court.
The first object in this case is to settle the respective interests of these parties in the waters ol Ttfrkey river. The most conclusive evidence as to these interests was the occupation of the parties during twenty years. Because that is the common and peculiar mode of acquiring rights to the use of water(l) •, and because so long an occupation of a stream not navigable raises á presumption, that grants, now lost by time or accident, have passed between the parties in conformity to this occupation. 6 East 216.—1 Camp. N. P. 260, 463.-2 Barn. & Ald. 662, Vooght vs. Winch.— 10 John. 236.—16 ditto 218.—3 Caine’s Rep. 316.
On this point of; the casé the jury were properly instructed, and the plaintiff had leave to read the bond, which was rejected when offered to control the construction of the deed. But as the bond was not in fact read ; as the plaintiff may have omitted it, relying upon the exception that it had before been improperly rejected ; and as the jury may have grounded their verdict upon the other testimony, in consequence of the occupation not having been peaceable or uniform during twenty years, we shall examine the other evidence concerning the interests of these parties.
It is admitted, that by grant, or otherwise, Flanders1 in A. D. 1780, possessed a right to use “ the whole stream of “ Turkey river” from its source to its junction with the Merrimack. It is proved, that he then executed a deed to Dimoni, under whom the defendant claims, of ⅛ a certain “ part” of that “stream”; “ beginning at the mouth of Great*
“ Turkey pond, and so extending to the head of the lesser “..pond.” ■ ;
(1) 2 BL Com. m
(2) Coke Litt.
(3) Coke Litt. 122,-a. note.
(4) 2 BL Com. 18.
(5) Yelv. i43, Chailenor vs. Thomas.
(6) Plow. €om« 15.
The plaintiff contends, that no interest whatever passed by this description ; or if any, that it was only a right ta irse a fractional part of the water, which flowed in this stream between the two ponds; that such a right could pass without a deed ; and consequently, that the bond between Dimond and Flanders was competent evidence to aid, if necessary, in putting the above construction upon what was conveyed by the deed.
If nothing passed by this deed, it is on the ground, either that the language used is altogether inappropriate and insufficient to describe the premises, or that the premises are so uncertain as to render the deed void.
But it is a settled rule of construction, that in deeds between individuals all doubtful expressions are to be taken in a sense most favorable to the: grantee, and that every deed is, if possible, to be made to take effect. 1 N.H. Rep. 355, Canning & ux. vs. Pinkham, and auths. there cited. See, also, Willes 684,-Popham 166.—11 Mass. Rep. 493.—16 John. 172.
We are well aware of the elementary' principle, that a grant of “ water,”{1) or of “ aquetm suamflfi) does not pass the soil beneath. Probably, because the soil beneath, not being named, and not being an incident to “ water,” cannot be considered as embraced by that word. So “ water” cannot be demanded in a precipe ;(3) because it is “a moveable “ wandering thiog,”(4) and the same “ water” demanded would not remain to be delivered upon the writ of. possession's) So in Surry vs. Pigot, (Popham 167,) it is quaintly said, thaj an ejectione firma will not lie for £i water “ because it is not firma sed curritP
But notwithstanding these principles, whose correctness we are not now disposed to question, it seems to be equally well settled, that as all, which the words contain, shall “ pass by a grant,”(6) a grant of mere “ water” is not voids but. passes a right to use it for fishing ; or, in the words of Bacon, “ passes both the water and piscary,” Bac. Ab. Grant, H. 3.—Co. Litt. 4 b. 122 a.—Plow. Com, 154.—2 Bl. Com. 19.
(1)2 Bi. Com. 402.--Vin. Ab. supra. B.
(2) Rees’ Cyclopedia, *• Mills.”
(3) Shepi T_ S5>
(4) fiow. Com',57-
(5) , Phinips, ¿w 417-8 b-
Many cases exist of actions for disturbance in the use of water, where the title of the plaintiff was .merely to the use of the water ; but whether acquired by grant, or occupation, and what .were the words of the grant, do not appear. Yelv. 142.—Viner Ab. Title “ Water course.
Probably the scarcity of cases on this point may arise from the circumstance, that occupation or prescription and not grants are in England the usual modes of acquiring title to the use of water ;(l) and that the use of water for mills 1 . , has not been so much encouraged there as here on account of their injury to agriculture by flowing, and to sawyers by $awing.(2) & . 1
But if here, in a grant of “ water," there would pass a right to use it for no purpose except fishing; yel the language in this deed describes something more than the word “ water” does. It is “ a certain part of a stream,” named and bounded; and it has always been held even in England, that, where the language of the deed indicates some natural or fixed boundary to the water, there not only passes a right to fish in the water ; but also a right to use it for other appropriate purposes. Vaughn. 108, Prim vs. Braham—Coke Litt. 5 a. b.—Plow. 154, 161.—Bac. Grant. H. 3.
The examples under this head are grants of “ a pool,” or a gulph” ;(3) and surely such grants are no more compre-liensive in their nature than grants of a “ stream,” or ot“ a “ part” of a“ river.”(4) in such cases the intention of the parties seems to extend beyond the mere water then in be-log, and to include at least the perpetual use of the water within the boundaries mentioned.
The next objection relates to the uncertainty of the description in the deed. But by “ a certain part of a stream” we do not apprehend, that the grantor meant some fractional part of the whole water, which run in the stream, and, not having defined the extent of that par!, that the deed must be adjudged void for a patent amb%uity.(5)
On the contrary, as the grantor owned the whole length - of the river, we think that by. “ a certain part” he intended to convey a part of the whole length ; and that this part of *260the whole length is defined and made “ certain,” by describing it. as “ beginning at the mouth of Great Turkey pond, ⅛ and so extending to the bead of the lesser pond.” All that part of the river, which flows between those boundaries, was intended to be conveyed. This construction gives operation to the deed ; is consistent with its language; and accords well enough with the nature of the transaction.
In A. D. 1780, in a period of perilous war, such a privilege would be conveyed with less reluctance and at a smaller price ; the actual use for water was, from thinness of population, and the absence of most .manufacturing machinery, very limited ; and from physical causes the quantity of it in this river was then probably much greater. 4 Mass. Rep. 561.-T-1 Williams’ Vermont 62, 75, & Apx.—M'Kenzie's Voyages 432.
Hence, without any imputation of folly or blindness, the grantor might, for a moderate compensation, convey the use of the whole river at a place some distance above his own mills.
The next question arises from the rejection of the bond, when offered in evidence to vary this construction of the deed. But, under these views, there was no latent ambiguity, which it might have been Competent to explain. 1 Phil. Ex. 410,—5 Coke 68 b. Lord Cheney's case.
As between the original parties, however, the bond being a specialty, might have been competent evidence to contradict the deed. And bonds of defeazance and leases under seven years have sometimes been held competent evidence against deeds, even in suits by third persons. Yet the present bond partook of neither of these characters; and this action is not between the original parties to that bond. The controiing principle on this point is, that property, which passes by a deed of conveyance, and w.hich, from its nature, cannot pass by parol, or by a writing of less solemnity than a deed, can: be divested or affected only by a deed of. conveyance, or a writing equally solemn. 1 N. H. Rep. 147, and auths, there died.—Helley 138.—Vin. M. “ Fails,” X. 2,
(1) 1 N. H. Makepeace vs. Warden et al.
(2) Domat b. ¿ración B.'T.
To (he application of this principle the plaintiff’s' first ob-jeción is, that though a right to use the water within the termini named may have passed by the deed under consideration ; yet a sufficient interest did not pass with this right to render a conveyance by deed necessary, and hence the bond is competent, evidence to modify the right. But in grants of this kind some interest in the soil, covered by the water, must pass to enable the grantee to enjoy his grant. As a grant of a right of way passes a sufficient interest in the soil to enable the grantee to build and use the road.(1) A ^rant of standing trees passes such an interest in the . ° 1 soil as is necessary to their growth and severance. Cr. Ja. 48.—1 Inst. 53 a.—Burr. 1824.—4 Mass. Rep. 266.—1 Cruise 64.—Com. Di. “ Grant” E. 5. And so does a grant of standing grass. 2 Strange 874.-4 D. & E. 671-5.—6 East 602.—1 John. 267. By the civil law, likewise, a grant ofiany easement or “ service,” under which was classed the use of streams of water, a right to the soil passed'so far as was necessary to the enjoyment of the service.(2)
According to many authorities, however, no interest in the soil for any other purpose would seem to pass. Vid. Supra, and 1 Burr. 1 48.—22 Edw. IVth, 8th plea, 24th page.—1 Conner. Rep. 103.—15 John, 447.-2 Hen. Bl. 527.—Com. Di. “ Chemin” A. 2.— Popham 170.—1 Maul. & Selw. 659.— Livingston’s Answer as to the Batture 200. While, by other authorities, the grant of a “ pool,” a “ gulph,” &c. would ser ai to pass the whole soil beneath. Shep. 95-7.- Co. Litt. 122 a.— Plow. 154 a.—2 Salk. 637.—1 D. & E. 360.
But whichever of these positions maybe most correct, a suffi-km interest in the soil passes to require a deed for its c a vs v <nce ; since these interests belong to the realty; are m.-.-parable from it, and were in this instance to continue p.-over. By the civil law services of this kind were called “ to} ami liad most of the incidents to real estate. Domath. 1. t. 12, s. 1.—Justin. Inst. 89 note, 467.
in L inland they are enumerated as the subjects to be co. • • - ---d by deed. Shep. T. 230.—Perk. Con. sec. 61.—2 Bl. Com. 1 8, 42, 317, 379, 382.—Co. Lift. 122 a.—2 Pierre *262Wms. 27, Drybutter vs. Bartholomew.—4 East 107, Fentiman vs. Smith, So in Pennsylvania; (2 Binney 490, Carson vs. Blount.) So in New-York; (4 John. 81, Thompson vs. Gregory,) A widow, also, may be endowed of a third part of a “ gulph(11 Edw, III.) and she may be endowed in some kinds of fisheries; (Roberts’ Frauds 127.) A precipe lies for a gulph or a pool, (Ydv. 143) ; and a right to fish in certain water and its appurtenances is real estate, so as to be liable for poor rates. (1 Maul. & Selw. 652, King vs. Ellis.) In Fitz. Na. Br. 191, it is said, “ a writ of entry sur disseisin, “ made unto his ancestors of a stream, lieth,” &c.
(1) 1 N. H. Laws 191.
* These principles of the common law are enforced with some additional requisites by our statutes.(l) For they not only require some writing as evidence of any contract for the “ sale of lands, tenements, or hereditaments or any interest in or concerning them ; ” but that every conveyance of any such interest, except a lease not over seven* years, shall be invalid as to third persons, unless attested by two witnesses, acknowledged before a magistrate and “recorded at length in the registry of deeds.”
The interest, which passed in this case, was clearly in lands, tenements or hereditaments ; and in the humblest view of it amounted to more than is defined in the books to constitute a “tenement.” 4 D. & E. 673.—1 D. & E. 360.—2 Bl. Co. 17, 18.—Coot. Di. “Grant” E. 1.—Chipman's Rep. 167.
A conveyance by deed was) therefore, necessary. Hence the interest, which passed by the deed to Dimond, could not be varied or diminished in respect to this defendant by a bond, whose existence does not appear to have been known to him, and which, independent of its informality as a conveyance, was neither, acknowledged nor recorded.
The only remaining point is the direction to the jury, that any change by the defendant in the mode and object of using the water within his own boundaries, was not actionable, unless he thereby prevented the usual quantity from running to the mills below. Changes of this kind, by introducing new or rival machinery, are in general damnum *263absque injuria : and it is doubtless fortunate for the public that there is no check upon them,unless they actually divert a part of the water from those below, or unless they are in violation of express prohibitions in deeds., 1 Barn. & A Id. 258, Saunders vs. Newman,—15 Mass. Rep. 313, Bigelow et al. vs. Battle et al.—15 John. 218.—3 Caines 313.—(17 John. 320.)

Judgment on the verdict.