Court Opinion

ID: 6574147
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 19:32:41.578899+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:57:01.217226
License: Public Domain

Hosmer, Ch. J.
Before I proceed to a discussion of the *499controvertible points in the case, I will express an opinion on some questions raised of no real difficulty.
Ebenezer Bolles was interested neither in the immediate result of this cause, nor in the record, and consequently, was a legal witness.
The enquiry whether at the execution of the deed in question, Patty Bolles was under the government of a parent or guardian, is not, as the plaintiff has contended, a question of fact, but of strict law. All the facts bearing on the point were submitted to the jury ; and the enquiry raised relates exclusively to their legal operation and effect
The title of the plaintiff, as tenant by the curtesy, is not defective for the want of actual seisin in his wife. A husband, in this state, may be tenant by the curtesy of lands, although his wife was not actually seised, during the coverture. Bush & al v. Bradley, 4 Day 298.
The material enquiry relates to the validity of the deed, executed by Patty to Ebenezer Bolles, when she was a minor, of the age of eighteen years.
The plaintiff has insisted, that the grantor was under government of a parent and guardian, Deborah Bolles, and that by statute, the deed is absolutely void ; that it is also void at common law; and that it was not ratified or affirmed, by Patty, after her arrival at maturity; nor has it been, by the plaintiff, since.
The Court has come to the following results: 1. That the deed in question is not void, by statute, as Patty was not under the government of a parent or guardian. 2. That at common law, the deed is not void, but voidable only. 3. And that after the arrival of the grantor at full age, it was ratified and affirmed. It will be my endeavour to sustain these positions.
1. Patty Bolles resided at New-London with her mother, who was a widow until the year 1790. She then went to the state of New-York, to live with her sister, and remained there until her death, In April, 1791, when eighteen years of age, she executed the deed in question, and four years afterwards, was married to the plaintiff.
It is now insisted, that the above-mentioned deed is absolutely void by statute, because, as it is said, Patty was under the government of her mother.
Before I recur to the law referred to, it will be proper to ascertain what were the rights of Mrs. Bolles over her daughter, *500both at common law, and under the statute relating to guardians.
At Common law, there are three species of guardians, viz. guardians in socage, by nature, and for nurture.
Guardians in socage exist only where an infant is seised of lands held in socage. In this state, there is no such tenure, and there can be no such guardian. In October, 1793, the legislature declared and exacted, that every proprietor in fee-simple of lands has an absolute and direct dominion and property in the same. Stat. 433. ed. 1808. Our tenure of lands is strictly allodial, not being held of any superior. 2 Bla. Comm. 47. 60. The discussion of this point, however, is immaterial, as guardians in socage ceast, when the child arrives at the age of fourteen years. Litt. sect. 123.
Guardian by nature is the father, and perhaps, on his death, the mother. On the part of the father, this guardianship extends to the age of twenty-one years of the child, but to the custody of his person only. Co. Litt. 84. a. Litt. sect. 123. The King and Queen v. Thorp & al. 5 Mod. 221. S. C. Carth. 384. 386. Such guardian has neither possession nor controul of the estate, whether real or personal. Genet v. Tallmadge, 1 Johns. Chan. Rep. 3. Miles v. Boyden, 3 Pick. Rep. 213.-It is asserted, by the late Ch. J. Swift, that a mother is never considered as guardian of her children, unless it be of nursed children until the age of seven years. 1 Swift’s Dig. 50. But upon this enquiry, I think it unnecessary to enter. The material object, so far as this case is concerned, is, to ascertain the rights of the mother, not over the person, but over the estate and contracts of her children.
A guardian by nurture extends only to the person, and determines when the infant arrives at the age of fourteen, 3 Rep. 38. 1 Bla. Comm. 461.
From this short view of the subject, it appears, that at common law, the mother of Patty had no government over her; at least, in relation to her contracts or estate.
This subject, in Connecticut, is regulated entirely by statute. The authority of Mrs. Bolles over her daughter, so far as relates to the deed in question, must be tested by the act of May, 1797. By this law, it is enacted, that when it shall so happen, that there shall be any minor of age for choosing a guardian, “who hath neither father, guardian or mother,” the judge of probate within whose district he lives, shall appoint some per*501son for a guardian. Stat. 373. ed. 1808. On inspecting the statute, it will appear, that nothing is said concerning mothers; nor do they seem to have been in contemplation. If there be no father, nor guardian before appointed who has the controul and management of the infant’s estate, nor master, the court is to appoint a guardian, not merely to superintend the person of the ward, but his property. To this end the person appointed is to give sufficient bond, and to render an account of his guardianship to the court, or to the minor when he shall arrive at full age. From these provisions it is apparent, that the guardian spoken of, in the first clause of the act, was not one who was to have the custody of the person only, but of the estate-To provide for the superintendency of the minor’s property, and the right disposition of its avails, was the great object of the law. As the act is silent relative to the mother, and as she had no controul at common law, at least over the minor’s estate, it is perfectly clear, that she is not referred to, by the term “guardian,” used in the statute Burk v. Phips, 1 Root 487. it is said, by the court, that th er is not the guardian of her son, a minor of sixteen year of age nor in any way entitled to his services ; but that the father of the natural guardian of the children. And this corresponds with the before cited passage from Ch. J. Swift, that the mother, except for nurture, is never considered as the natural guardian.
The preceding observations prepare the mind for a right construction of the statute relating to masters and others, on which much stress has been laid. By the second section of this law. (Stat. 487. ed. 1808.) it is enacted, “That no person under the government of a parent, guardian or master, shall be capable to make any contract or bargain, which in the law shall be accounted valid, unless the said person be authorized or allowed to contract or bargain, by his or her parent, guardian or master; in which case such parent, guardian or master shall be bound thereby.” It has been argued for the plaintiff, that Patty Bolles was under the government of her parent within the meaning of this law; and that the deed executed by her without authority, was absolutely void. No part of this proposition is admitted.
In the first place, she was not under the actual government of her parent. It never could have been the intention of the law to disable an infant from entering into any contract, when distance from her parent, and the actual exigencies of her situa- *502tion, should require assistance. If sickness and extreme poverty should render support from others necessary, it would be a harsh and illiberal construction of the statute to deprive her of the possibility of relief, except from charity. At common law, it has been decided, that if an infant female live with her mother, she cannot bind herself for necessaries; (Bainbridge v. Pickering, 2 Bla. Rep. 1325.) but if she reside beyond the sphere of her government, she undoubtedly may. This is a just and necessary principle, applicable to the construction of the statute, and clearly indicating, that the “ government” spoken of in the law must be actual as well as legal.
In the next place, it is, at least, questionable, whether Patty Bolles, at the execution of the deed in question, was under the legal government of her mother, in any sense.
But what is most important, she was not subject to her mother’s guardianship and controul, in respect of the subject matter of her contract. The law provides, that she shall not contract, unless with the consent of her parent or guardian ; and having been by such parent authorized. Now, what authority could Mrs. Bolles confer on her daughter regarding the disposal of her property? Clearly, none. It is further declared by the statute, that when the parent empowers the infant to contract, he shall be bound thereby. What possible obligation rests, or can rest, on a parent, who has authorized her child to execute a deed of release ? And yet, if a deed is a contract within the statute, Mrs. Bolles, had it been executed by her authority, would, in some indefineable way, be bound by the engagement.
It is not within the power of a parent, at common law, or by statute, to authorize his minor child to convey away his real estate ; and from this consideration and the preceding remarks, it is obvious that the law under discussion relates to executory contracts only. In respect of these, the guardian is competent to give authority, and, if they are not performed, to incur the obligation of fulfilling them.
I am clear, therefore, that at the execution of the deed in question, Patty Bolles was not under the government of her parent, within the sense of the statute law; and that such deed is not absolutely void.
2. At common law, this deed is voidable only.
The acts of an infant, for the most part, are only voidable, and not void. When he arrives at maturity, it is, with some exceptions, considered sufficient to allow him the privilege of *503avoiding the acts done, and contracts made, by him, during his infancy, or of availing himself of them, at his discretion. The object of the law is his protection, and not to deprive him of any advantage ; and this cannot be more effectually accomplished, than by permitting him, at maturity, to affirm his contracts, or to break through and avoid them, at his pleasure. This is a sufficient security against imposition. Those who deal with him, know, that they are at his mercy ; and this will annul, or greatly diminish, the temptation to defraud him. If, however, any person should be so hardy as to do it; yet as at full age, the infant can rescue himself from any inequitable grant or agreement, there appears no great mischief, in the meantime, to suffer the contract to hang in equilibrio, and defer any sentence upon it. On the contrary, to hold the contract void, annuls his privilege of judging for himself, when of mature understanding, and may deprive him of a contract highly beneficial. If the act is void, it is a nullity, and obligatory on neither party.
There is some contradiction in the books relative to the precise line of discrimination between those acts of an infant, which require affirmance to render them valid, or disaffir-mance to avoid their operation. In this position, however, they generally agree, that wherever the act done may be beneficial to the infant, it shall not be deemed void, but voidable. This rule is highly reasonable, most beneficial to the infant, and sanctioned by many judicial opinions. Zouch d. Abbot & al. v. Parsons, 3 Burr. 1794. 1808. Jackson d. Wallace & al. v. Carpenter, 11 Johns. Rep. 539. Oliver & al. v. Houdlet, 13 Mass. Rep. 237. Rogers & ux. v. Hurd, 4 Day 57. 62. Maples v. Wightman, 4 Conn. Rep. 376. 379. 1 Swift’s Dig. 56. Roberts v. Wiggins, 1 N. Hamp. Rep. 73. Wright v. Steele, 2 N. Hamp. Rep. 55.
In Keane v. Boycott, 2 H. Bla. 511. Lord Ch. J. Eyre has expressed the principle very intelligibly, and with all its practical distinctions. Such contracts as the court can pronounce to be to the infant’s prejudice, are void ; others, a more numerous class, of a more uncertain nature as to benefit or prejudice, are voidable, and in the election of the infant to confirm or avoid; and others still, when for the infant’s benefit, as for necessaries, are valid. These were declared, by Judge Story, to be founded on solid reason, and to give the subject all the pre*504cision, of which it is susceptible. United States v. Bainbridge, 1 Mason's Rep. 71. 82.
It has been urged, in the argument, that all deeds of conveyance of land, are void, except a feoffment; and that this diversity is founded on the solemnity of the conveyance. It is not true, that the solemnity referred to, is greater than that which attends every legal deed in this state ; and, as was said, by Lord Mansfield, in Zouch d. Abbot & al. v. Parsons, 3 Burr. 1794. there is no difference, in this respect, between a feoffment and deeds which convey an interest. “ The delivery of the deed,” said he, “ must be in the presence of witnesses, as much as livery of seisin The ceremony is as solemn. The presumption that the witnesses would not attest, if they saw him an infant, holds equally in both.” To this I would subjoin the observation, that in this state, the registration of all deeds of land, gives a permanent notoriety of our conveyances, to which there is no parallel in livery of seisin, before either a few or many witnesses. As far back as the reign of Edward VI., Perkins, in his treatise on Conveyancing, "wittily and learnedly composed,” as was said, by Sir Edward Coke, in his preface to 10 Rep., laid down the following rule : " That all such gifts, grants or deeds, made by an infant, which do not take effect, by delivery of his hand, are void; but such gifts, &c., w hich take effect, by delivery of his own hand, are voidable.” Sect. 12. 13. This rule was acknowledged in Zouch d. Abbot & al. v. Parsons, and in Conroe v. Birdsall, 1 Johns. Ca. 127.; and has been recognized in many other cases. Littleton says : “ If before the age of twenty-one, any deed or feoffment, grant, release, &c. be made, (by an infant) all serve for nothing, and may be avoided.” Sect. 259. It is observable, that grants, releases and deeds of every description, are here classed with feoffments ; and they are all declared not to be void, but voidable. In 2 Inst. 673. it is said, “ that a bargain and sale enrolled by an infant, he may avoid when he will.’ Whether leases for years made by an infant, without the reservation of rent, are voidable or void, is a vexed question ; but if rent is reserved, they are voidable only. Co. Litt. 45. 6. 308. a. 3 Mod. 307. 3 P. Wms. 210. 3 Burr 1806.
The same observation is equally true with respect to deeds of partition, (Co. Litt. 171.) of exchange, (Co. Litt. 51. b.) and of grant. Litt. sect. 259. They are not void, hut only voidable. In Zouch d. Abbot v. Parsons, an infant’s conveyance by lease *505and release, was held voidable, and not void ; and this determination, never contradicted, and often recognized, has settled the law on the subject in question. Until the present case, that decision was universally considered as law. To this effect are the determinations in the state of New-York, (Conroe v. Birdsall, 1 Johns. Ca. 127.) of Massachusetts, (Worcester v. Eaton, 13 Mass. Rep. 371.) and of Maine. Hubbard & al. v. Cummings, 1 Greenl. 11. In the Commentaries on American Law, (vol. 2. p. 193.) it is said, by the learned author : “ The doctrine of the case of Zouch d. Abbot v. Parsons, has been recognized as law in this country, and it is not now to be shaken.” And equally pointed are the observations of the late Ch. J. Swift, in his Digest, vol. 1. p. 55.
The deed in question, although in the form of a release, by the law of Connecticut, has the operation of a grant and conveyance, without warranty. 1 Swift’s Dig. 133. It was executed for a valuable consideration ; has the semblance of benefit; and took effect, by the delivery of the infant’s hand. It follows, that it was not void, but voidable only.
3. Has the deed in question been affirmed ?
Patty Bolles arrived at full age more than a year before her intermarriage with the plaintiff and about three years after the deed was executed. She died in the year 1815; and after this event,the plaintiff suffered ten years to elapse before he brought. his action. During all this period, there was neither expression nor act tending to a disaffirmance of the deed in question. The defendant was in possession of the land ; the promissory note, given in consideration of the deed, was retained by the plaintiff; and the service of the plaintiff’s writ, was the first act or attempt to annul the conveyance.
All avoidable acts may be affirmed, by an infant, when he arrives at maturity, or he may disaffirm them.
There are three modes of affirmance.
The first and most obvious, is by an express ratification. 4 Leon. 4.
The second is, by the performance of an act or acts, from which an affirmance may reasonably be implied. 1 Pow. on Cont. 55.
A ratification of the contract has often been inferred from the silence of the infant, after his arrival at full age, coupled with his retaining possession of the consideration, or availing himself, in any manner, of his conveyance ; such as his recep*506tion of rent under a voidable lease ; (Litt. sect. 258. Morgan v. Morgan, 1 Atk. 489.) the remaining in possession of lands leased or conveyed to him ; (Evelyn v. Chichester, 3 Burr. 1717. Ketsey’s case, Cro. Jac. 320. Com. Dig. tit. Enfant. C.) receiving interest on a contract; (Franklin v. Thornebury, 1 Vern. 132.) the occupancy of land taken in exchange for other land; (Cecil & al. v. Salisbury, 2 Vern. 225. Co. Litt. 51. b.) and any other act indicating an intention to affirm. And in the same manner, a disaffirmance will be implied, by the performance of an act, evincing an election to disaffirm. Jackson d. Wallace & al. v. Carpenter, 11 Johns. Rep. 539. Jackson d. Brayton & al. v. Burchin, 14 Johns. Rep. 124.
The omission to disaffirm a contract within a reasonable time, has been held sufficient evidence of a ratification. In Holmes v. Blogg, 8 Taun. 35. 39, 40. it was observed, by Dallas, J. (afterwards Ch. J.) “ The infant is bound to give notice of the disaffirmance of a voidable contract, in reasonable time ; and if the case before the court were that simple case, I should be disposed to hold, that as the infant had not given express notice of disaffirmance, within four months, he had not given notice of disaffirmance in reasonable time. This principle is recommended, by its justice and general convenience.It is unjust, that the infant, after his arrival at maturity, and the lapse of a reasonable time, should hold the scales in his hands, and decide as future circumstances should incline. In the mean time, the purchaser under him is at a stand, and incapable of making any necessary and permanent improvement on his estate. Of this opinion is the author of Commentaries on American Law. “ His confirmation,” said that learned jurist, “ of the act or deed of his infancy, may be justly inferred against him, after he has been of age for a reasonable time, either from his positive acts in favour of the contract, or from his tacit assent under circumstances not to excuse his silence.’’ 2 Kent’s Comm. 195. Acquiescence merely, for an unreasonable time, is an act, that denotes an intent not to rescind the contract. 1 Swift’s Dig. 58.
The deed in question has been ratified, by every implied mode of affirmance. The consideration note was held, by Patty Bolles, a year after her arrival at full age, and before her marriage ; and by the plaintiff has been held ever since. During all this period, until the commencement of the plaintiff’s action, a profound silence was observed, relative to the dis-*507affirmance of the contract; and the defendant was permitted to remain in the unquestioned occupation of the land. These acts imply an affirmance of the deed, not unlike the holding possession of land leased or exchanged, and authorized the same inference. Besides, the omission to disaffirm alone, for eleven years, a period almost sufficient to give a title by possession, is an acquiescence in the conveyance amounting to a tacit affirmance.
Brainard, Lanman and Daggett, Js. were of the same opinion.
Peters, J.
Whether the deedof an infant be void or voidable, has been a questio vexata from the days of the year-books. Perk. sect. 13, 14. 1 Selw. N. P. 586. And it seems likely to continue so ; though it has been decided at least once, by this Court; (Rogers & ux. v. Hurd, 4 Day 57.) and much oftener, by the English courts, but was considered as an open, debateable point, in Holmes v. Blogg, 8 Taun. 35. in 1817 ; and we have now gone over the ground again, in my opinion, to very little purpose. According to a late learned commentator, (Bingham on Infancy 45.) upon a review of all the cases, the only safe criterion is, that acts capable of being ratified, are voidable, and acts incapable of being ratified, are absolutely void. And according to a later and more learned commentator, when we attempt to ascertain from the books the precise line of distinction between void and voidable acts, we meet with much contradiction and confusion. 2 Kent's Comm. 191.
But whatever may be the common law on this subject, the capacity of our citizens, and the conveyance of their real estate, are not regulated by that law. By statute, it is enacted, “ that all persons of the age of twenty-one years, of right understanding and memory, whether excommunicated or other, not otherwise legally incapable, shall have full power, authority and liberty to make their wills and testaments, and all other lawful alienations of their lands and other estates.” Stat. 42. ed. 1808. This certainly implies, that infants have no such power,
But admitting that the deed was voidable only, no express ratification is claimed. The grantor was sui juris one year only before she died, during the existence of the particular estate, and when she had no right of entry'. In Rogers & ux. v. *508Hurd, 4 Day 57. where the wife, while sole, and an infant, had executed a quit-claim deed of her land jointly with her guardian, and she, after she came of age, before her marriage, and both the plaintiffs afterwards, acquiesced in her deed, and expressly affirmed the same, it was unanimously decided, by this Court, that “ the same evidence ought to be required of the confirmation of a voidable contract, after full age, as of the execution of a new one.” The requisites of a deed are prescribed by statute, (Stat. 652. ed. 1808.) of which acknowledgment and recording are essential parts, and cannot be proved by parol, or acquiescence.
I advise a new trial.
New trial not to be granted.