Delaware Court of Common Pleas, 1798

Wingate v. Nelson

Wingate v. Nelson
Delaware Court of Common Pleas · Decided April 15, 1798
2 Del. Cas. 98

Counsel

Ridgely, Wilson [for plaintiff]. Peery, Miller [for defendant]., Wilson.

Wingate v. Nelson

Opinion of the Court

Chief Justice.

Difference in opinion of counsel. Defendant pleads non culpa and liberum tenementum. If he cut or carried away the trees, and they were not on his freehold, you will find him guilty. Boundaries when proved are more certain than course and distance. When binding words in a grant or patent, as “by and with” or “down the branch,” it will go by the run, not the cripple of the branch.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.