Carson v. Carson
Carson v. Carson
Opinion of the Court
The main question presented in this case, and the only one which at present we think it proper to decide, arises npon the construction of the deed executed by Jonathan L. Carsoh and George M.-Carson to William M. Carson, on the 6th of May, 1842, in trust for his wife and children. The question is whether the trust in favor of the-children, is confined to the children of the trustee’s then wife Aimyra, or does it embrace also the children which he had by bis second wife Catharine.
We are clearly of opinion, that upon any admissible construction of tbe deed) it includes tbe children of the first wife only. The recital of the consideration on which the deed was made is the sum of one dollar, and “ the good will and affection they (the grantors) have for Aimyra T. Carson, wife of said William and the ehildren of the said William and Aimyra, namely. John, Martha M, Mary M, Matilda H, and William, and such as they may have here
There is a subsequent clause of the deed which provides “that if the said Almyra shall depart this life before the said-William, then and in such case, her interest in said property of all kinds'is to cease and to determine.” This is also urged as a manifestation of intention, that shé and her children were not the only objects provided for by the deed. It seems clear to us that the only purpose of this clause was to prevent the husband from taking any inter
In all the clauses of the deed following that which we have just noticod, it will he seen that the grantee’s wife Almyra and her children were the'oniy persons in the contemplation of the parties to the deed ; and such being the case, the hardship of excluding the children of ihe grantee by his second wife, no matter how great it may he deemed, can not induce the conrt to adopt a construction in. oppo-sitiofftfco the plain meaning of the instrument.
Having ascertained that there is no trust declared in favor of the children of the second marriage, in the deed executed to William M. Carson by his brothers, we are of opinion that he acquired no right to give to such children by deed, will, or otherwise, the property, part of the trust fund, which he convejed to his soti John on.the 6th day oí January, 1860, and-took back by another conveyance of the same date. The deed to John pm-ports tp he an advancement to him by bis father in execution of the power conferred on him as trustee : 'hut the deed of re-conveyance executed at the same time, shows that, the true pur
There are other questiohs presented by the pleadings, which we are unwilling to decide without the aid of an argument. One of these questions is, whether the children of Willian M. Caraen by his first wife, had during the lifetime of their father, such an interest in the trust property not advanced -to them by their father as trustee, as survived upon the deaths of some of them to their respective ad-ministra tors. A second question 'is, whether the trustee had power to devise and bequeath by his will any part of the trust property to the children of his deceased daughter Martha Burgin. .
Tiles’; questions will bo reserved for future consideration : but there may be á decree , now declaring that the defendants Catharine Oarsún and George S. Carson, children of William M. Carson by his second wife, do not take by the will of iholr father any part of the property real or personal conveyed 1o their father in trust by his brothers Jonathan L, Carson and Oeoreo M. Carson, he having acquired no power to devise and bequeath it to them by reason of the conveyances of the same to and from liis son John on the 6th of January, 1SG0. There may also ps a decree; for the sale oí the land belonging to the trust fund, not specifically given or devised by the trustee fo any cf his children. &nd the parties may have a reference for'an account of the trust fund, if they desire it. ' *
Reference
- Full Case Name
- JOHN CARSON, Exr. of W. M. CARSON and others against GEORGE S, CARSON and CATH. CARSON, and others
- Status
- Published