Payne v. Cabell
Payne v. Cabell
Opinion of the Court
delivered the Opinion of the Court.
On the 10th of October, 1818, Cabell sold and conveyed to Payne, by deed of general warranty, three hundred and eighty-one acres of land, lying in the county of Christian, on Little river, in consideration of six thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight dollars — being at the price of eighteen dollars per acre, and delivered possession.
In June, 1822, Payne exhibited his bill, and obtained an injunction against a judgment at law for about 01,200, besides interest and costs, the balance due on a bond given for the last payment of about $1,600.
The grounds of complaint in this bill are, that Ca-bell has removed to Missouri, and is insolvent; that he has discovered that the claims sold to him are conflicted with by Joseph Williams’, to the extent of about five acres; also, by one of James C. Cravens, of forty-two acres; and that to the tract of 67 acres, part of the 381, so sold, the vendor derived his title by purchase under the patent of Nicholas Hawkins; that Jane and Joseph Hawkins had conveyed, being the widow and son of the patentee, but that Jesse and Enoch Hawkins, two of the heirs of the patentee, had not conveyed — they being infants. To this bill Payne, Williams and Cravens, are made parties, anti the claims of Williams and Cravens, are alleged to be superior to that of Cabell, and the defendants are required-to litigate and settle these questions. By an amended bill, the complainant suggested, that Thomas Hays held a conflicting claim of
The complainant also charges that two of Cabell’s surveys conflict with each other, five acres; that is to say, Hatfield’s of 80 acres, and Robert Harrison’s of 42 acres; that by consequence, the quantity sold is lessened by five acres. He farther alleges, Hatfield’s survey, instead of 80 acres, holds out more than 100 acres; but he cannot find any conveyance from Hatfield to Hawkins, of whom Cabell bought this; that these interferences and defects of title, had spoiled the tract, and he prays the contract to be rescinded.
Cabell, by his answer, denies his insolvency, and every matter of complaint alleged, except the infancy of Jesse and Enoch Hawkins, at the date of his conveyance to Payne; but of that defect he alleges that Payne was informed, and agreed to risk the acquisition of the title from them at full age, according to abond their friends had given, covenanting, that they should convey. But to obviate that, he produces their deed after their full age, dated 5th Dec. 3822, duly acknowledged, and recorded in Christian, on the 28th December, 3 822; the youngest having, according to the proof, arrived at full age in May preceding. He also produces another deed from himself to Payne, duly acknowledged and recorded in Christian county, of the 6th Aprils 1823.
The defendant Boals, by liis answer, denies that his small interference was ever intended to be asserted by him as the superior claim; and he disclaims all title and claim under it.
The other defendants, Cravens, Williams and Hays, answer, and allege their entries by virtue of head-right certificates, to be superior to the claim of Cabell, so sold to Payne.
The court dissolved the injunctions, but gave no damages, and dismissed the bill with costs, and Payne appealed.
The interferences of the adversary conflicting claims, alleged by the bill, are not traced to any foundation which can create a probability, or even a suspicion, that they can disturb the claim and possession so sold and transferred by Cabell to Payne. The adversary claimants themselves, with Payne to assist them, have not produced any adversary rights, which in law or in equity, wear a semblance of validity and superiority over those of Cabell. Grants, or copies of grants from the land office, or other documents upon which rights and interests to lands are adjudicated, are not produced in evidence, so as to enable this court to pronounce such asserted adversary claims conflicting with those sold to Payne, to be valid in law or in equity. The deficiency of documentary evidence, and of other testimony to sustain these asserted adversary rights, is so great, as that the title of Cabell, which Payne has acknowledged, by accepting the deed and possession, cannot be said to have been thrown under a suspicion, to be inferior to those of Williams, Cravens and Hays.
The defect for want of conveyances from Jesse and Enoch Hawkins, has been obviated by their conveyances after they attained their ages of maturity.
The complainant argumentatively asserts, that because the survey of Robert Harrison, of 42 acres, and the part of the claim of Hatfield, as conveyed to him by Cabell, clash with each other to the extent of five acres; that, therefore, there is a deficiency of quantity thence arising, and claims an allowance for the deficiency of that five acres. In one breath he alleges.this conflict to the extent of five acres between Harrison and Hatfield’s surveys, the one for 42 acres, the other for 80 acres; and thus argues
The insolvency of Cabell is denied, not proved, but repelled by the evidence. His removal to Missouri was contemplated at the time of the contract, and known to the complainant.
The vendee has accepted the deed, he lias received possession, he has enjoyed it without disturbance; he alone has stirred up adversary claims, and when so stirred, neither himself nor the alleged claimants, have been able to make good their claims. A vendee will not bo compelled to accept a conveyance under an executory contract, until the vendor exhibits a regularly deduced title, free from incumbrance, and apparently sufficient to assure the estate according to the contract. But a vendee who has accepted a deed, and the possession, with a covenant of warranty, is presumed to have inspected the derivations of title, and to have been satisfied with assurances; and to have received the title papers. After such acceptance of the possession, and deed, and covenant of warranty, a vendee, before eviction or disturbance, cannot receive the aid of a court of equity, to assist him to withhold the purchase money, or rescind the contract, hut by taking on himself the burden of showing a defect in the title of the vendor, of a latent character, and of proving superior, outstanding, subsisting adversary rights and interests. This task the complainant did undertake, but has wholly foiled of the performance.
It seems to this court, that the complainant has made out no case which requires the interposition of a court of equity, to relieve him from the payment of his purchase, or to rescind the contract; but that he should be left to seek his redress upon the covenant of warranty, in case of eviction, if such event shall ever happen; of which, however, the complainant has not shewn any probability. There is no error in the decree, to the prejudice of the appellant. It is, therefore, ordered and decreed, that the said decree of the circuit court be affirmed.
Appellee to he paid his costs.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.