Sproule v. Winant's heirs
Sproule v. Winant's heirs
Opinion of the Court
delivered the Opinion of the Court.
Absalom Bridges gave his bond or covenant without penalty, to convey a tract of land to William Miller and Ralph Lilburn.
Lilburn assigned this bond, or his interest therein, to his co-obligee, Miller; Miller assigned the whole bond to Oliver Sproule.
Sproule gave his bond to convey the same land to the heirs of John Winant, naming each heir, and bound himself to make the title, so soon as he could get a title to the land from Absalom Bridges.
The heirs of Winant filed their bill to compel a conveyance, and charge the title to be in Bridges; and that Sproule never took any steps to get it from Bridges, for the purpose of fulfiling his contract with them. Sproule answered, insisting that he has not forfeited his bond, because he never could get a title from Bridges, on which event he was to convey.
The court below decreed in favor of the complainants, and various exceptions are taken to the decree by the assignment of error.
It does not appear what consideration passed from Miller and Lilburn to Bridges, for the land. The bond imports a valuable consideration, but how much is not manifest from the bond, or any part of the record. The consideration which passed from the complainants to Sproule, does appear.
The court decreed that both Bridges and Sproule should unite in a joint conveyance of the land — the deed expressing the consideration which passed between the complainants and Sproule. This is incorrect. For the consideration for which Bridges ought to be bound, may be far less than that between the complainants and Sproule; and as the complainants have not shewn it to be as great, and have contented themselves without ascertaining what it is, it follows that Bridges ought to be directed to convey to Sproule by deed, with general warranty, reciting the sale bond which he had made, and the bond which he had given as the consideration, leaving the precise sum open and subject to inquiry, if at any time hereafter, Bridges shall become liable to an action on the warranty. This warranty, it is true, after the conveyance of Sproule to the complainants, will belong to them; and incase of eviction, they may sue on it as assignees thereof, instead of bring-*
It may also be remarked, that the conveyance to some of the female complainants, has beep directed to be made to their husbands, when the bond was to them alone. The conveyance ought to be directed to the wife only, leaving the husband to take his right under the marriage. .
The court, instead of decreeing that the parties should convey by a final decree, and then afterwards on their failure, appointing a commissioner, if applied for, by a decretal order, has fallen into a common error, of which we have had often to complain. The decree was made interlocutory, and directed the defendants to convey by a certain day, and if they failed, a commissioner should convey, leaving with the commissioner, the right to judge of the failure. The court then retained the cause till the commissioner ascertained the failure, and reported the conveyance, which the court approved, and then made a final decree settling the costs.
Sproule complains that he was charged with costs, when Bridges never conveyed to him, and he was only bound to convey when Bridges conveyed. We do not see how to release him from costs. He was bound to convey so soon as he could get a title from Bridges. He has not shewn that he attempted to get one, or that there was any obstacle to his getting one, if he had tried it.
Decree reversed with costs, and cause remanded for such decree, and proceedings to be had as shall conform to this opinion.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.