Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, 1868

Brightman v. Brightman

Brightman v. Brightman
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · Decided October 15, 1868 · Chapman
100 Mass. 238

Brightman v. Brightman

Opinion of the Court

Chapman, C. J.

The clause in Israel Brightman’s will devising certain real estate to Daniel and John Brightman and to their heirs and assigns,” taken by itself, gave them an estate in fee simple. The subsequent clause providing that “ if the said Daniel or John shall decease, leaving no issue of his body lawfully begotten, then what I have devised to such one, I here devise to the survivor thereof and his heirs and assigns,” created an executory devise limited upon that fee simple. Richardson v. Noyes, 2 Mass. 56. But the contingency did not happen; for Daniel died first, and left issue; and when John died Daniel did not survive him. Upon the decease of Daniel leaving issue, the contingency mentioned became impossible, and the estate in fee simple remained. Judgment for the tenant.

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