Court Opinion

ID: 6426816
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-25 12:04:37.54438+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:52:01.459322
License: Public Domain

Morton, J.
The libellant says in her brief that “ although the bill of exceptions is not so clear as could be desired, it is apparent that the Superior Court dismissed the libel on the ground that the case at bar is not covered by Chapter 427, of the Acts of 1895,” and then proceeds to argue that the case comes within that statute. But so far as appears from the bill of exceptions the only request made of the court by the libellant was that it should rule upon the evidence “ as matter of law that the said *217libel should be granted.” As the bill of exceptions stands, therefore, the question presented by it is whether we can say that the refusal of the court to rule as requested by the libellant, that upon the evidence as matter of law the libel should be granted, was wrong. We do not see how we can say so. One of the conditions upon which a subsequent marriage which has been entered into under the circumstances described in the statute may be legalized is, that “ such subsequent marriage contract was entered into by at least one of the parties in good faith, in the full belief that the former husband or wife was dead, or that such former marriage had been annulled by divorce.” St. 1895, c. 427. We cannot say that the judge may not have found that the subsequent marriage was not entered into “ in good faith, in the full belief ” on the part of the libellant or libellee that the “ former marriage had been annulled by divorce.” The libellant was the only witness, and it cannot be held as matter of law that the judge was bound to believe what she said.
Dealing with the case as it comes before us, we think that it is clear that the exceptions must be overruled.

/So ordered.