Hunnewell v. Lane
Hunnewell v. Lane
Opinion of the Court
The principal question to be decided in this case is, whether the property claimed by the plaintiff was held by her father, Jonathan Hunnewell, in trust for her use and benefit, as alleged in the bill. If it were so held, it is very clear that the defendant, his executor, and his heirs and creditors, are bound by the trust. It was not in the power of the trustee to devest or defeat the trust, without the consent of the cestui que trust, except by a sale of the trust property to a bona fide purchaser, for a valuable consideration, and without notice of the trust. Nor could the trustee vary the terms of the trust, or declare any new trust, to the prejudice of the cestui que trust, unless with her consent. The case therefore turns on the question stated, namely, whether the property claimed by the plaintiff was held in trust by her father for her benefit; for if the notes indorsed by her to her father became his property, in which she had no beneficial interest, the gift to her by his will would not be valid against his creditors, although it would be binding on his heirs and his executor, if his estate were solvent. But we
It has been argued for the defendant, that it may be reasonably inferred from the whole evidence, that the plaintiff gave up her property to her father absolutely, in consideration of his promise to make her his residuary legatee. But there is no circumstance from which any such inference can be drawn. There is nothing in the will inconsistent with the existence of the trust. Mr. Bigelow, who drew up the will, certainly did not suppose there was any such inconsistency ; for he well knew that the notes were held in trust; and by the will they are given in trust to his executors, to pay over the income to the plaintiff for and during her natural life, and to pay over the whole amount of the principal, which might remain at her decease, to such person or persons as she, by ner last will and testament, might order and direct; and in
Upon the whole, therefore, we are clearly of opinion that the trust, as set out in the bill, is fully and satisfactorily proved; and that the plaintiff is well entitled to the relief prayed for. It is probably not very material whether the trust be continued or not; but if the plaintiff elects to terminate the trust, and to be restored to the possession of the trust property, the defendant has no right to object to the restora tion. The trust was voluntary, and the sole object was to secure the property, and to have it managed in the most advantageous manner for her benefit. As her property will be under the control and management of her guardian, there seems no reason for the continuance of the trust.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Frances Hunnewell v. George Lane
- Status
- Published