Supreme Court of North Carolina, 1821

Den on Demise of Sanders v. Hyatt

Den on Demise of Sanders v. Hyatt
Supreme Court of North Carolina · Decided June 5, 1821 · Haex
8 N.C. 247

Counsel

The case was argued by Eure for the appellant, and submitted by Seawell for tiie appellee.

Den on Demise of Sanders v. Hyatt

Opinion of the Court

Haex, Judge.

The clause in the will gives the land .over, if Lawrence should die without a lawfully begotten heir. Now he cannot die witiiout heir as long as tiie persons live to whom tiie ulterior limitation gives it upon the happening of that event; for they may become heirs at law after the death of others more nearly related. *248 The word heir, in the singular number, must therefore mean issue; and by that means the estate first given in fee is turned into an estate tail, and by the act of 1784, is converted into a fee-simple again in the first taker, The ulterior limitation is therefore void, and nothing passes by it.

By the Court. — Judgment affirmed.

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