Court Opinion

ID: 6315100
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-02-18 20:25:32.730605+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:59:13.761892
License: Public Domain

The facts of the case sufficiently appear from the report of the preceding case, and from the opinion of the court, which was delivered by
Lowrie, J.
— On a former trial of this cause, the plaintiffs showed title in their ancestor, James Bones, and also gave in evidence a conveyance from him to Olwine, dated 14th April, 1831, for a tract of land, which contained the lots in controversy within its limits; but there was a clause in the deed excepting these lots out of the grant, and declaring that “the title thereto is now vested in other persons,” having been “ heretofore conveyed, and in which said James Bones and wife hold no estate.” On the strength of this exception, the Common Pleas ordered a verdict for the defendant, but the judgment thereon was reversed, on the ground, that this was not sufficient evidence of an outstanding title, and that the defendant appeared as a mere intruder.
On the next trial, it appeared, that Bones sold all the lots in controversy, and many others, in 1814, to persons whose names are given; that conveyances were made out for all of them, and that some of them were delivered; that the purchasers did not take possession Of their lots, but they remained enclosed with the other land of Bones, and were used by him, as part of his farm, until 1841; that then Bones sold the tract to Olwine, by deed, whereon was contained the above-cited clause of exceptions, and delivered to him the possession as fully as he had held it himself, and that possession has so continued down to this time by Olwine and by the defendant, who shows title under him. This evidence was submitted to the jury, and they found against the claim of the plaintiffs, and we think that they might well do so.
The sale of the lots is not disputed, and there is evidence that they were conveyed. But the vendor kept the possession for seventeen years, and then sold and delivered the tract, subject to the exception referred to. How could Bones, after that, get back the possession of the lots, without showing that he had got back their titles ? This he has not done. As against him, Olwine obtained a lawful possession, and was not a mere intruder. It was right, under the circumstances, to understand the *247conveyance and delivery to Olwine, as a grant of the whole tract, subject to any claim which the purchasers of lots might thereafter make. Their views make the evidence of James Lysle immaterial.
Judgment affirmed.
Knox, J., dissented.
Black, J., was absent.