Lovell v. Frost
Lovell v. Frost
Opinion of the Court
The only question in this case, is whether the plaintiff’s intestate acquired title to the premises by adverse possession, under the operation of the Statute of Limitations. The premises are a part of the Santa Teresa Rancho, and the survey of the rancho having been confirmed, the premises were set off, in an action of partition, to the defendant. The Court did not expressly find whether the plaintiff’s intestate did or did not hold the premises adversely during the period of five years, but as the judgment was for the defendant, it will be presumed that the finding was against the plaintiff on that issue. The Court, however, found certain facts, among which is the fact that, “ pending the action of partition (which was before the five years had run under the Statute of Limitations of 1863) plaintiff’s intestate, in his lifetime, inquired of the defendant whether he would not rent or sell the land to him if it should be allotted to him, the defendant, in the partition of the ranch, and the defendant promised him that he would.’’ There is evidence in the record to sustain this finding, at least all except that the defendant promised that he would sell or rent the land, but that fact is not material to the question. The offer to purchase or rent the property, and not merely to purchase an outstanding or adverse claim or title to quiet his possession or protect himself from litigation, as in Cannon v. Stockman,
Some of the findings are not sustained by the evidence, but they need not be considered, for they are not material, and have no bearing on the issue of adverse possession.
Judgment and order affirmed.
Mr. Chief Justice Wallace did not express an opinion.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- WM. M. LOVELL, Administrator of the Estate of Henry Haslett v. ELEAZER FROST
- Cited By
- 19 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Finding on Facts.—If the Court, in its findings, do not expressly find on an issue made, it will be presumed that the finding on such issue was in favor of the party who prevailed in the action. Statute on Limitations.—A party, in order to acquire title to land by the Statute of Limitations, must not only have a possession adverse to the true owner, but also must claim the title as against the owner during the entire statutory period. Idem.—If a party in possession of land offers to purchase it from the true owner, and this offer is made, not merely-to buy an outstanding or adverse claim in order to quiet his possession or protect himself from litigation, the offer is a recognition of the owner’s title, and will stop the running of the statute. Erroneous Finding on Immaterial Point.—A new trial will not be granted because the Court made an erroneous finding on an immaterial point.