Elbert v. Wilmington Turngemeinde
Elbert v. Wilmington Turngemeinde
Opinion of the Court
after stating the facts as above, delivered the opinion of the court:
There appears to be no decision in this state upon the precise point involved in this case., But because of the former decisions of our courts to which reference has been made, it was suggested in the argument of' counsel that the validity of the title of the defendant in error and of its right to convey a good fee simple title to the real estate in question should be judicially determined.
The question in this case stands the same as if the controversy was between Blouth et al., the grantors in the deed mentioned in the statement of facts, and “Wilmington Turngemeinde,” plaintiff below, which has been in possession of the premises mentioned and described in said deed since the execution and delivery thereof. Under the agreed statement of facts the said deed, though made to “The Wilmington Turngemeinde,’’ is effectual to convey the title to said premises to “Wilmington Turngemeinde,” the obviously intended corporation grantee. In all such cases, evidence aliunde the deed is competent to identify the actual grantee.
Speaking generally, it is the opinion of the court that the inclusion or the exclusion of the word “the,” where it is, or is not properly, a part of a corporate name, will not vitiate a grant of lands either to or by the corporation.
Under the facts of this case, it is manifest that Wilmington Turngemeinde, the plaintiff below, is the grantee in the said deed from Blouth et al., and the court below did not err in its finding.
It is the unanimous opinion of the court that the judgment below should be affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Samuel G. Elbert, in error v. Wilmington Turngemeinde, a corporation of the State of Delaware, in error
- Cited By
- 3 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- 1. Parties—Misnomer—Plea in Abatement—Amendment. Misnaming plaintiff or defendant in an action is ground for plea in abatement, but not for defeating the action if the misnamed party is clearly identified, in which case plaintiff will be allowed to amend. 2. Parties—Misnomer—Objection. A misnomer must always be pleaded, and in the settled order of pleading, except for matter arising after commencement of the action, or without the knowledge of defendant at the time of the pleading. 3. Judgment—Arrest—Misnomer of Corporation. A corporation defendant cannot take advantage of a misnomer in arrest of judgment but must plead it in abatement. 4. Evidence—Misnomer of Grantee—Extrinsic Evidence. In case of misnomer of a grantee, evidence aliunde the deed is competent to identify the actual grantee. 5. Corporations—Deeds—Misnomer of Corporate Grantee. Deed to “The Wilmington Turngemeinde” conveyed title to “Wilmington Turngemeinde,” the proper name of the corporation, since misnomer of a corporate grantee does not defeat the grant if its identity is manifest and the corporation áccepts the deed as delivered.