Bryan v. Averett
Bryan v. Averett
Opinion of the Court
By the Court.
delivering the opinion.
It will be perceived that there were two demises láid in this writ, one from Bonvail Brown, and a joint demise from Benjamin Bryan and Moses Bryan. Benjamin Bryan died before verdict, but the fact not being known, no suggestion of his death was made, and the jury found generally for the defendant.
In England, there could be no doubt upon this point, because there it is well settled, and we think upon principle, that the death of one joint lessor of the nominal plaintiff inejectment does not abate the suit. Adams on Ejectment, 186; 2 Bac. Abr. Title Ejectment, p. 178-190, note. And the same doctrine is held in many of the States of the Union. 1 Hen. & Munf. 531; 2 ib. 614; 8 Johns. 495; 2 Har. & J. 249; 5 Little, 129.
But by the act of 1828, the jus acrescendi or law of survivorship in joint tenancies, is abolished in this State. Cobb 545. Upon the death of Benjamin Bryan, therefore, his moiety of the land belonged to his legatees or distributees. But we see no reason why- a recovery could not have been had in favor of Moses Bryan for a moiety of the land at least, as well as his portion of the mesne profits. And if so,
In this case, really no amendment was necessary. There was a general finding for the defendant, but no judgment for cost entered, and the only reason for making the suggestion was to restrict the judgment to the' surviving plaintiff, otherwise it must have conformed to the verdict.
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Benj. Bryan, administrator, in error v. Albright Averett, in error
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