Ledyard v. Morey
Ledyard v. Morey
Opinion of the Court
This is an action brought by the plaintiff for the rise and occupation of certain premises in the city of Grand Rapids. In 1875 the parties owned together the west part of lots nine and ten, fronting on Pearl street. They sxibsequently divided these lots between them, and Ledyard conveyed to Morey a part of lot eight, lying in the rear of lots nine and ten. After the lots were built on, there remained a strip of groxxnd between their respective parcels, belonging to Mr. Ledyard, about twelve and one-half feet wide, and extending back to the rear end of the buildings of both parties. This strip was the only convenient means of access to two of. Morey’s stores, and that part of lot eight which Morey had purchased of Ledyard. • At the time of the division of the property referred to between the parties, it is claimed, and the testimony tends to show, that Morey agreed to buy of Ledyard one-half of the twelve and one. half feet at two hxxndred dollars per foot, but the purchase seems not to have been completed. In 1875, after the buildings were erected, Ledyard permitted the strip to be used by Morey and his tenants for passage, Morey to pay therefor $120 per year. The defendant xxsed the same until January 1, 1877. After that date the compensation was- reduced, by agreement, to $100 per year, and defendant continued his use of the strip xxxxtil July 1, 1882, at which time there was due to plaintiff, upon such agreement, as claimed by him, the sum of $300 ; and for this balance the plaintiff brought this suit.
The defendant claimed that he bought the property for which the rent is claimed for $1200, and paid interest on the purchase price to the amount of $190; that after he had paid interest two years he demanded a deed of the plaintiff, but he could not make title to the property, but wanted to deed the defendant the right of way.
Upon these two theories the testimony in the case was taken and submitted to the circuit judge, who found the facts to be substantially as claimed by plaintiff and as above stated, and that he was entitled to judgment for $300. The court also found that on the 27th day of April, 1871, the
To these conclusions of law counsel for defendant excepted, and upon these he assigns error. We can see no error in these findings of the law. No exclusive right of passage over the land was conveyed to either Gunn, Perkins or Rathbun.
There is nothing in the record showing or tending to show that the defendant did not have the use of the property in accordance with the terms of his agreement with the plaintiff, and the finding of the court is that he did so have the use of the property. The finding also shows $300 due and unpaid to plaintiff from defendant, and unless the findings of fact in the case are based upon improper or inadmissible testimony we cannot disturb the judgment.
In perusing the bill of exceptions but two appear to be really relied upon as showing improper. rulings by the court in receiving testimony. They relate to the use of the premises by the express company, which was a tenant in one of Morey’s buildings, and as to what Morey said to the company’s agent about his right to use the same when he made" the lease to the company. The evidence objected to was received by the court to the effect that the company did occupy the building of defendant, and did use the land for passage, and that Morey told the agent, at the time the company rented of him, that the latter had the right to the use of the premises for passage. We think this was proper testimony. It not only tended to show the use of the premises in question by defendant, but that the right to such use was obtained from the plaintiff. The objection to this testimony'
We find no error in the record, and
The judgment must be affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.