Court Opinion

ID: 8503385
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-23 01:24:51.793071+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:50:46.901966
License: Public Domain

Woodbury, J.
The deed to Frye, under which the defendant claims, purports to convey to him “ the northerly “ half of the mill dam” in dispute, and also “ the privilege *534« 0f taking the water from any part of the said norther' j “ half of the mill dam for the use ami benefit of said / Vue, “ his heirs and assigns.” Under this grant, the defi ndant contends for a right totally to destroy the north half of the mill dam, of to draw water from it for his use in any quantities, in any manner, or at any period of time.
On the contrary, the plaintiff contends, that every thing, which passed under the grant was a right to use the north half of the mill dam for the purposes to which mill dams are usually devoted, without the legal power either to remove it, or permit decays so as to injure the plaintiff’s enjoyment of the other half of the mill dam ; and that the right to draw water from it is qualified in a similar manner, so that the water cannot be drawn at unusual times, or in quantities not commonly wanted for mills situated like those on the dam conveyed, or for purposes not fairly within the scope of the grant.
At the trial we were inclined to think the power of the defendant less limited than we are now satisfied it must be ón a just interpretation of the deed, and on a more full consideration of the nature of the interest conveyed.
From the circumstance, that when the deed was executed, mills were situated on “ the northerly half” of the dam, as well as on the south half, it is reasonable to presume, that the “ northerly half” was sold under an expectation it would be used to turn those mills, and not be altogether destroyed, or the gates so removed as to be tantamount to a total destruction of it for the purposes of a mill dam for the mills situated on both halves. Such a construction accords also with the elementary principle, that every person must so use his own property as not by the use to injure the rights of others. Utere suo ut ne lados alterum. Vatelle b. 1, ch. 20, sec. 254.—12 Mass. Rep. 224.
We have said the rights of others ; because the property of others may be lessened in value, or impaired incidentally ; and yet, if no rights are invaded, it is damnum absque injuria. 15 John. Rep. 213, Platt vs. Johnson et al.—17 ditto 100, Panton vs. Holland.—3 Caines 313, Palmer vs. Mulligan.
(1) t East-368’
Among these last cases, are digging one’s own soil without negligence or malice, and still so mar the land of another as to lessen its value and occasion inconvenience. 1 Sid. 167.—Com. Di. action on the case, “ Nuisance,” C.—17 John. Rep. 92.—12 Mass. Rep. 229. So the digging of mines beneath a canal to its injury, 7 East 308, Proprietors of R. & E. Canal Nav. vs. Bradley et al. Or the erection of a new mill near an ancient one on the same stream. 17 John. Rep. 213.—3 Caines 313. And so according to some authorities is the neglect to repair a house to the injury of an adjoining house. 6 Mod. 314, Tenant vs. Goldwin—4 Mass. Rep. 577, semb.—12 Mass. Rep. 227.
But other authorities hold this last caseto be actionable. Co. Litt. 56, b—Fitz. N. B. 295.—Kielway 98.—4 Mass. Rep. 575.—2 Cleri. Instruc. 251.—11 Mod. 7. And where the decay is suffered in a portion of a parly wall between cellars or houses, no doubt an action for the consequent damage can be sustained by the other owners. 1 Dall. 341, Ingles vs. Bringhurst.—Fitz. N. B. 127 page, 296 number. So it can be for the erection of a house, though upon the builder’s own land, if it obstruct the sight from a house built twenty years earlier, or a less time, and purchased from the same proprietor. 12 Mass. Rep. 226, 159, Storey vs. Odlin.—Bull. N. P. 89.—2 Saund. 175.—6 Mod. 116. So it can be for a spout or eaves, casting water upon another’s land; (3 Bl. Com. 216.—5 Co. 101.—Stra. 634, 651.) or for the diversion of water above, or for the flowing it back below; (9 Mass. Rep. 319.—13 ditto 420, 507,) or for digging beneath a house bought of the owner of the soil :(1) or for the total severance and remove' of one half of a divided house. 1 Domat 306.—Bull. N. P. 20, 79.-2 Wils. 313.—Dos vs. Morrill, Rock. Feb. 1809.
Where property is owned undivided, as between tenants in common, or joint tenants, probably this action might not be the best form of redress, since in such case a writ dt. reparations fatienda lies ; but still the remedy there for every neglect or misicazance affecting anolher’s rights, is no less ample than in other cases. Co. Litt. 56, 200, b.—Fitz. N. B. 127.
*536On a consideration of all these authorities, it seems to us manifest, that when two persons own separate houses, fields, &c. adjoining, either can use his own for any purpose and in any manner, not directly affecting a similar,or the customary use by his neighbor of his own houses and fields. Their rights are mutual and co-extensive; and arty use not thus limited would be unreasonable and unlawful. When they own- distinct portions of an article, as a building, bridge, mill-dam, &c., one of which portions cannot be actually severed, or permitted to decay, without directly impairing the customary use of the other, this principle seems to acquire new strength, and for any negligent or wilful act concerning one portion to the injury of the other portion, a suit can be sustained. Each has a direct interest in the preservation of the whole ; the preservation of the whole is necessary to the enjoyment of a part; and any misuser of a part directly impairs the ordinary employment of the remainder.
Thus, in the case under consideration, a neglect to keep the north half of the dam in usual repair, or to keep down the gates the usual quantity of time, lessens at once the quantity of water against the south half of the dam, and, if carried to a great extent, may render that half with the mills thereon totally worthless. Each, however, is entitled to draw water for his own use from his portion of the dam in any quantities.not exceeding what would naturally be drawn to accommodate mills situated at the dam. Because such quantities, whether used there or at mills some distance below, do not impair the rights of the other owner, by lessening the water against his half, more than it would be lessened, if the mills were situated at the dam. But should the dam be left unrepaired so as not to retain the usual quantity of water, or the gates be raised so long as to draw oil' more than is usual, or be kept raised constantly, or at times when mills at the dam would not generally be used, as when the water running, was too little to turn the machinery of a mill at the dam — it would be an use of the water, not probably contemplated at the time of the grant, not consistent with the customary employment of the other half of the dam, and hence, actionable.
(i) Coke Lift, 20@,b. — 13 & 7,26.
(2) Coke Litt. 200.
Richardson. C. J. ’
Before w-’ examine the clause in the _ ^ deed upon which the question now to be decided arises* it may be useful to consider what would have been the rights of the parties, had no such clause been inserted in the deed*
Where several persons own severally mills situate upon different parts of the same stream, and each has an equal right to the use of the water, each is bound ¡o use the water in.a" reasonable manner, and so as not to destroy and render useless the mills of the others. And if one shuts his gates and detains the water unreasonably, or lets it off in unusual quantities, so as to prevent those who are below from using it, he will be liable for the damage he occasions. 17 Johnson, 306, Merrill vs. Brinkerhoff.—8 Mass. Rep. 136, Weston vs. Alden.—10 Johnson, 241.—3 Caine's Rep. 307.-1 Ventris 237-2 Caine’s Cases, 86.—15 John. 213.— Carthew 116.—13 Mass. Rep. 507. So one may be liable for unreasonably diverting the water from its natural course to the prejudice of another. 6 East. 208.—1 Wilson 174, Brown vs. Beet. And if A. interrupt or divert the water, unlawfully, from flowing to the mill of B. by its ancient course, B. may lawfully enter upon Ads land, and remove the obstruction. 13 Mass. Rep. 420.—9 Mass. Rep. 316.—9 Coke 53, Batin's case.—5 Coke 101, Penruddock’s case.
A conveyance of one half of a dam is, in my opinion, a conveyance of the right to use one half of the water. The parties own the dam, neither as tenants in common, or as joint tenants, but each has all the title in his several part» Of the head water raised by the dam, they are, however, tenants in common. And in such a case, if one draws the water unreasonably, to the injury of the other, case may be maintained for the injury.
Lord Coke says, “ if two several owners of houses have a “ river in common between them, and if one of them corrupt “the riven the other shall have an action on thecase.’Yl) rr i ,, -r , ⅛ , . ; ' He also says, n there be two tenants in common, of a “ wood turbarie, pischarie, or the like, and one of them doth “ waste, against the will of his companion, his companion “shall have an action of waste.”(2) Where two have right of *538common. in the same land, and one surcharges, the other may maintain case. 3 Wilson 287.—2 W. Black. 817.
(1) Shepherd’s Touch. 86.
Where two own severally several parts of the same dam, there is an implied contract or covenant between them, running with the land, that each shall keep in repair, his portion of the dam, so long as he uses the water ; and that as soon as one ceases to use the water, hr shall permit the other to repair the whole. On this implied contract, our statute of June 16, 1801, entitled “ an act relative to the repairs of mills, &c.” is founded. 4 Mass. Rep. 559, Carver vs. Miller.—11 Mass. Rep. 325. And in such a case, each may use his portion of the water, in any reasonable way he pleases, but neither can wantonly waste the water, to the prejudice of the other.
We will now consider the clause in this deed, which gave to the grantee “ the privilege of taking water from any “part of the northerly half of the dam for the use of him. “ his heirs and assigns.”
It is a maxim in the law,that the construction of deeds shall be reasonable, and according to an indifferent and equal un-derstar.diiig.(l) Shepherd illustrates this rule, by the following examples:
“ If I grant to another common in all my manor, this shall be construed to extend to commonable places only, and not to my gardens, &lc.
“If one grant me ail his trees in his manor, by this, I shall not have his apple trees. “ If one grant me common for all my beasts, this shall be taken for all commonable beasts, and not for goats, and the like.
“And if one grant me to dig in all his land for tin, 1 may not. by this grant, dig under his house.”
If we apply the maxim, laid down by Shepherd, to the construction of this deed,there seems to me to be no difficulty in the case. No reasonable man can suppose, that Frederick Runnels could have intended, by this clause in the deed, to give Frye the right to open the waste gates,and draw off all the water at his pleasure. If he did so intend, it is not *539verv easily perceived, why he did not. grant the whole dam» Such a grant might have rendered his own mills useless.
1 am, therefore, of opinion, that the true construction of this clause, is, that Frye should be permitted to take his half of the water, from any parr, of the darn, and for any pur pose he pleased, and should not be confined in the use of it to his mills.

Mew trial granted* "