Kellogg v. Blair
Kellogg v. Blair
Opinion of the Court
It seems now too late to raise a serious doubt upon the point, that the devise of all one’s “ estate,” without words of limitation to heirs and assigns, carries a fee. A recent case in this court, well sustained by authorities, is' directly in point. Godfrey v. Humphrey, 18 Pick. 537. In the present case, it is a residuary clause of all the testator’s estate; for, although the words “ rest and residue ” are not used, words of the same precise legal import are used, to wit, “ all my estate, real and personal, not disposed of, as above mentioned.” The leading authorities, in support of the proposition, that the words “ all my estate,” in a will, carry a fee, are cited in 4 Kent Com. (4th ed.) 535, referring to the elaborate treatises of Pres ton on Estates, and Judge Williams’s edition of Hobart’s Rep. pp. 3 — 7, to the same point.
The counsel for the demandant relies on another class of cases, in which it is held that words in a devise, which would otherwise create an estate for life only, will be enlarged so as to give a fee, if the devisee is charged with the payment of money; and then contends very successfully, that this will does not. charge the devisee personally with the payment of money, or other duty. But these cases have no bearing upon a devise, by the word “ estate,” which carries a fee, whether the devisee be charged with the payment of money or other onerous duty, or not. All the cases cited, it is believed, are those where the
Demandant nonsuit.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Giles B. Kellogg v. Edwin Blair
- Status
- Published