Frost v. Spaulding
Frost v. Spaulding
Opinion of the Court
afterward drew up the opinion of the Court. In the interpretation of deeds and other instruments in writing, courts are bound to effectuate the intention of the parties, if it can be done consistently with the rules of law. When, however, such intention is doubtful, other rules of construction are to be observed, in order to ascertain with reasonable certainty, if it can be done, the true intention of the parties ; one of which rules is, that where in a deed of conveyance the land conveyed is described by reference to monuments, and by courses and distances, which do not correspond with each other, the monuments are to control the courses and distances, they being the surest indication of the intention of the parties as to the extent and limits of the land conveyed. Without some such rule grants might be void for uncertainty : which are never to be so adjudged, if by any reasonable construction it may be avoided.
Applying these rules of construction to this case, we are of
Where a lot is bounded, in a conveyance, by monuments on a supposed line of an adjoining lot and the monuments do not in fact correspond with the true dividing line, the monuments must govern, as the most certain indication of the intent of the parties. And if the monuments should extend beyond the dividing line, upon an estate not belonging to the grantor, he would be liable on his warranty. This principle is so well established, and so well known, that I apprehend no skilful conveyancer would ever advise a sale by metes and bounds when it was intended that a certain line of another lot should be binding ; especially if that line were uncertain. If the line were to govern, the referring to monuments would be useless, and worse that useless, for the grantor might thereby be deceived as to the extent of the grant.
Now we are of opinion, that this rule of construction is applicable to the present case, for although the monument C on the plan is not referred to in the deed, yet it is proved that it was pointed out as a boundary of the lot conveyed, immediately after the sale ; and the evidence is sufficient to show that it was so considered by the parties. This was proved by a witness called by the defendant, and is pertinent evidence to aid the construction of the grant. Waterman v. Johnson, 13 Pick.
Upon the whole there can be no question as to the extent of the land intended to be conveyed. The description is perfect in every particular, excepting as to that part which bounds upon Moor’s line. The parties no doubt supposed that the land conveyed would extend to that line. But this supposition was founded in a mistake. The line was uncertain, and they were informed that it ran from C to B, and the whole description shows that that line was referred to in the deed. The true dividing
As to the defendant’s title by possession, it depends on the question, whether the cutting of wood by the defendant and by those under whom he claims, amounts to a disseisin; and this question has been so often' decided, that it must be considered as settled and not open to argument.
Judgment on the verdict.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Sarah Frost versus Noah Spaulding
- Status
- Published