Peters v. Bowman
Opinion of the Court
The questions now presented arise from the complainants’ demurrer to the cross-bill, filed by J. R. Chal-mers and wife, and George B. Peters, a portion of the defendants, to the original bill. The cross-bill contains the following allegations: Jonathan Bostick and D. W. Bowman were the joint owners of the lands described in the pleadings. Bostick made and published his last will and testament, which has been proven and admitted of record, in which he nominated and appointed said Elliott as executor of his will, so far as the same related to his estate and business to be transacted in the state of Tennessee, and A. B. Guinn as executor of his estate in Mississippi. The testator had his residence in Mississippi, but died in Tennessee. The will, among other things) provided that the lands mentioned, and other joint property, consisting of stock, &c., belonging to testator and Bowman, should remain on the place, and be managed by Bowman and Guinn, the executor, until Bowman should desire a sale, when Guinn should unite with Bowman in making a sale and conveyance. That, on the 25th Jan., 1869, Bowman and W. Y. Elliott, the Tennessee executor,' did make a sale and conveyance •of the land to defendants, Jaquess Brothers, receiving therefor $4,000 cash, and the notes of the vendees for $24,000, in equal annual payments, with six per cent, interest from date, the one first falling due having been paid; and that on the 26th Jan., 1S70, Jaquess Brothers sold the land to George B. Peters, for the sum of $11,925 cash, and an agreement upon the part of Peters to pay the three outstanding notes so given by Jaquess Brothers to Elliott and Bowman, which assumption upon the part of Peters it is alleged was not in writing, and therefore void. Chalmers and wife were put in possession of the land, under an agreement with Peters to occupy and cultivate it, and to pay off the balance due and so assumed, and then to have one-half the land. When the sale was made by Elliott and Bowman to Jaquess, a deed of conveyance, with warranty of title, was enacted, retaining in the deed a lien for the payment of the purchase money. When the sale was made by Jaquess Brothers to Peters, a deed of conveyance with warranty of title was made by them to and accepted by Peters, who knew the true condition of the title, and defects, if any, and relied upon the warranty and the promise of the vendors that the necessary proceedings would be had to perfect the title. The cross-bill alleges that Elliott, being the executor of the estate in Tennessee only, had no power to sell and convey the interest of Bostick in the lands; that the Jaquesses have become insolvent; that Chalmers and wife have made large and valuable improvements upon the land, greatly exceeding the rents and profits, and prays that the contract be rescinded, and that the amount so paid by Peters to Ja’quess Brothers, with interest, be declared a lien upon the land, together with the value of the improvements so made by Chalmers and wife. To all of which Elliott and Bowman demur, and assign for causes of demurrer: 1st. That this court has no jurisdiction of subject matter or parties to grant the relief prayed for. 2nd. That said cross-bill does not contain any matter of equity or other thing upon which this court can grant any relief against the defendants thereto or either of them. 3rd. That said cross-bill is manifestly brought merely for the purpose of delaying the trial of the original cause without disclosing any substantial merits.
The main ground relied upon for the relief prayed in the cross-bill is that Elliott had no authority under the will to make the sale and conveyance of the Bostick interest in the land. There is no charge of fraud, mistake, or other cause usually held sufficient for the rescission of contracts of sale of real or other estate. On the contrary, it is stated that Peters, or Chalmers his agent, knew of the defects complained of and relied upon the promise of the vendors, the Jaquesses, to make the title good. It is unnecessary to enquire whether or not Peters is entitled under the facts stated in the bill to a reseis
Reference
- Full Case Name
- PETERS v. BOWMAN
- Status
- Published