Kendall v. Clapp
Kendall v. Clapp
Opinion of the Court
The plaintiff contends that the deed tendered to him conveys less than the fee, because the provisions of Pub, Sts. c. 126, § 4, apply to the devise under which the defendant holds. That statute has no application when the language of a devise shows that the intention of the testator was to give a fee. Weld v. Williams, 13 Met. 486, 496. Barton v. Bigelow, 4 Gray, 353, 357. Hayward v. Howe, 12 Gray, 49. Trumbull v. Trumbull, 149 Mass. 200. For the statute to operate there must be a creation of an estate for life, and then a devise or a grant in remainder to the heirs of the life tenant. As we construe the devise under which the defendant holds, it gives her the fee, and does not create a life estate in her, nor a remainder in her heirs.
The testator gives and devises to his wife by name all his real property, “ for her sole use and comfort during her natural life, and to her heirs and assigns forever.” The words “ heirs and assigns ” are the usual technical words in a deed to signify a fee, and, although unnecessary for that purpose in a will, are commonly used in wills with the same meaning. The use of the word “ assigns ” implies that she has the power of disposal.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Henry C. Kendall v. Lydia C. Clapp
- Cited By
- 14 cases
- Status
- Published