Carter v. White
Carter v. White
Opinion of the Court
after stating tbe case. Tbe plaintiffs contend that the defendant is estopped from asserting title to any portion of or interest in tbe land in controversy, first, by tbe verdict and judgment in the civil action rendered at Pali Term, 1896; and, second, by tbe final judgment in tbe special proceedings for partition of September 23, 1898.
Tbe defendant admits that be is estopped to assert any title which be owned at the time of tbe institution of said action and of said special proceding, or which he has derived from tbe parties to said action, or any person claiming under said parties, but insists that be is not estopped to assert title derived from Thomas Land, who claims under Jeremiah Land, neither of whom were parties to or in any manner bound by tbe judgment in said action or proceeding. This is the sole question presented upon this record.
Before proceeding to discuss tbe authorities relied on by counsel, it will be well to ...-rmta-Hie rHspnsitirvn of this case made by this Court at August Term, 1902 (131 N. C., 14). The case as then presented was an appeal from an order continuing to the bearing an injunction restraining tbe defendant from trespassing upon the land pending litigation. Tbe Court decided that tbe Judge was in error in making said order. It is not contended that tbe judgment then rendered was final or worked an estoppel upon tbe plaintiffs to further prosecute this action. The appeal was not from any “judgment” but from a “judicial order” as provided in section 548 of Tbe Code. Tbe term “order” is sometimes applied
We will not entertain a proposition to “rehear” a case by means of a second appeal. Fretzfelder v. Ins. Co., 123 N. C., 164, 44 L. R. A., 424; Setzer v. Setzer, 129 N. C., 296. This principle, however, cannot be so extended as to include such a case as this. The only question presented by the former aupeal was whether his TTonnr shmilrl have made the interlocutory order continuing the injunction to the hearing, and in no manner involved the final detennination of the case or the rights of the parties upon the trial thereof. We'therefore conclude that it is our duty to decide this appeal as if presented for the first time, giving to the views expressed by this Court such weight as in our opinion they are entitled. The learned Justice, writing for the Court, says: “In the action of ejectment the only title in issue was that of the defendants; the plaintiffs’ title was not in controversy. It'was there found and adjudged that the defendant was a tenant in common with the plaintiffs.” The record shows “that the action was in trespass and not ejectment. The plaintiffs expressly put their title in issue by alleging that “they were the owners in fee-simple and in the possession of the land.” The defendant not only joined issue by denying the allegation of ownership, but by affirmative averment put his title in issue, alleging that he was
In tbe last ease be said: “If tbe defendant bad relied on bis special plea, there would bave been an estoppel in respect of bis title.” Tbe effect of a verdict and judgment in actions involving title to land under Tbe Code system is discussed by Pearson, O. J., in Falls v Gamble, 66 N. C., 455, where be says: “Had Gamble brought bis action against Palis for trespass on tbe land, and Palls in bis answer bad admitted tbe possession of Gamble and tbe committing of tbe alleged trespass by bis orders and put tbe defense on bis title, * " * * a verdict and judgment would bave worked an estoppel in tbe same way that it would have done in tbe old action, trespass quaere clausum under tbe plea of liberum tenementum. Indeed, under Tbe Code of Civil Procedure, in an action for land, when the complaint avers title in tbe plaintiff, tbe answer admits possession, denies tbe title of tbe plaintiff and sets up title in tbe defendant, a verdict and judgment will conclude tbe parties and privies in respect to tbe title. * * * In an action for land, tbe plaintiff, if be does not wish tbe action to try title, should merely allege that be is entitled to tbe possession and that tbe defendant withholds it to bis damage; and tbe defendant, if be does not wish tbe action to conclude tbe title, should in bis answer merely deny tbe allegation of tbe complaint so as
We "therefore conclude that the defendant is estopped by the judgment to deny the facts found by the jury, to-wit, “that the plaintiffs are entitled to fifty-three fifty-fourths of the land. The effect of the judgment was to leave the parties in possession as tenants in common, each having, as between themselves, the interests adjudged by the Court ja-]5on the verdict.
In the view which we take of the effect of the partition proceeding, it is not necessary to decide the effect of this estoppel upon an after-acquired outstanding title, and we forbear to express any opinion thereon.
The question next arises as to the effect of the final judgment in the partition proceeding which was put in evidence. It is therein settled that the plaintiffs and the defendants are the owners and entitled to the possession of the several portions of the land allotted to them by the commissioners. The defendant admits that he has entered upon that portion of the land allotted to the plaintiffs and committed acts of trespass thereon. He seeks to justify such entry by alleging that since said partition he has become the owner of one-ninth undivided interest in said land by virtue of a deed from one Thomas Land who was, at the time of said partition by title paramount the - owner of such interest; that neither said Land nor those under whom he claimed were parties to said proceeding. Is the defendant estopped to assert such title against the plaintiffs? The plaintiffs say that he may not do so for that, first, the final judgment in the proceedings in partition settled the rights of the parties to the entire tract of land, that the quantity to which each party was entitled was fixed by the judgment, and that neither party shall be heard to bring into question the fact so settled and determined, either by showing that he then
In regard to tbe first question, it is interesting to trace tbe development of tbe law on tbis subject. We are thereby •enabled to better understand and distinguish tbe conflicting decisions. It was held at one time “that a writ of partition or a petition for partition, which is but a substitute for tbe former, is a mere possessory action” and that judgment therein did not bar or estop tbe parties in an action of higher dignity involving title. Freeman on Oo-tenancy, section .529. Mr. Freeman says: “In tbe greater portion of tbe United States actions for partition, like actions in ejectment, have ceased to be merely possessory actions and have come to involve tbe right as well as tbe possession.” He bas collected in tbe note (Nicely v. Boyles, 40 Am. Dec., 638) an interesting history of tbe law and a number of decided cases upon tbe subject. It is not necessary, however, that we go beyond our own Reports to find a strong, able and exhaustive discussion of tbis question. Judge Pearson, writing for the Court in Armfield v. Moore, 44 N. C., 157, not only vindicates tbe wisdom in which tbe law of estoppel is founded, '“without wbiflh.it..would be impossible to administer law as •a systemT_-bn-t.,.a.pplies it to proceedings for partition. This . •case is one of tbe landmarks of our jurisprudence, familiar to every lawyer in the State. It is there settled beyond •controversy that a final decree or a petition for partition works an estoppel of~record"'u^nT~inie''parties*~th'eTetov---and- • ■that neither shall be heard to say"flrár~any"ó:T~ the Tacts therein settled were not-trua._He says: “Herewe~have ~~ facts agreed on by tbe parties, entered on tbe record, partition and decree in pursuance thereof, possession in sever-alty.” * * * Mr. Freeman says: “At the present time
The defendant’s counsel in his well-considered brief insists that the estoppel operates only upon the title which the parties to the record then owned, and does not affect his right to buy in and assert an existing and outstanding title 'not’affected by the judgment. We have found but one case in our Reports in which this question is presented and decided. In Mills v. Witherington, 19 N. C., 433, it appeared ^that partition had been made upon petition of the defendant against the lessor of the plaintiff in the County Court; that the report of the commissioners was duly confirmed and final judgment rendered; and the lessor of the plaintiff afterwards obtained a grant from the State for the land which had been assigned to the defendant in severalty, alleging that the same was vacant. In the action of ejectment against the defendant, she rested her right to recover on the grant. The defendant set up the judgment in the partition .proceeding as an estoppel. Daniel, J., said: “If the land sought to be recovered by the plaintiff was embraced in the report of the commissioners, which report had been confirmed and final judgment rendered thereon, then we think the lessor of the plaintiff, who had been a party to that judgment, was concluded, bound and estopped to controvert anything contained
The Supreme Court of Missouri, in Forder v. Davis, 38 Mo., 107, says: “We decide nothing here, now, concerning the rights of any stranger to the partition, or of any person not a party thereto. But in reference to this plaintiff, we think this judgment operates as a bar against him at law, not only in respect of the estate and title which he then had, but in respect of any title which he might thereafter acquire. There is here no covenant of warranty by deed; but there is such a thing as an estoppel in pais and by matter of record, which, like an estoppel by deed, may have the effect to pass an after-acquired title by operation of law. The partition establishes the title, severs the unity of possession and gives to each party an absolute possession of his portion. A partition is sometimes altogether the act of the parties rather than the act of the law. The binding and conclusive judgment is, in its very nature, very much like the old livery of seizin under - a feoffment, which was matter in pais, or like a fine or a common recovery which was matter of record, and these ancient assurances were of that solemnity and high character that they not only passed an actual estate and divested what title the party then had, that operated by way of estoppel to pass all future estate and possibility of right which he might thereafter acquire. Shep. Touchstone, 2-6 ;■ 204-6; Rawle on Cov. Title, 402. And we see no good reason why this solemn judgment in partition, which the statute declares shall be firm and effectual forever, should not be allowed to have the same operation against all parties to the record.” See also, Reece v. Holmes, 5 Rich. Eq., 540. These authorities would seem to establish the law as laid down in Mills v. Witherington, supra.
There is another view, however, of the case which we think equally conclusive. Mr. Ereeman says that “The pre
We have examined with care every case cited by the defendant’s counsel, and while some of them do lay down the law as contended by him, they are based upon constructions of statutes, as in Massachusetts. Those not thus distinguished are not in harmony with the best considered authorities and decided cases. We therefore conclude that by the judgment in the special proceeding for partition the defendant is estopped to assert his after-acquired title against the plaintiffs. It is immaterial whether this conclusion is based upon the first proposition or the last, as they bring us to the same result and are consistent with each other. His Honor should havb instructed the jury in accordance with
New Trial.
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting. The identical point now presented was passed upon in the former appeal in this case, 131 N. C., 14, and the decision then made by a unanimous Court should be the law of this case. It was there said: “In partition proceedings between tenants in common no title passes, only the unity of possession is dissolved and the title vests in severalty, the common source of title resting undisturbed.” Lindsay v. Beaman, 128 N. C., 189. Land’s interest never passed to plaintiffs and was not represented, nor was he a party; therefore he was not bound by the action or special proceeding. As to him they were void, and he had a right of entry and possession equally with the other tenants in common, whomsoever they might be. By his deed passed all the right of Land to the defendant, who then stood in Land’s shoes, and had all the rights and remedies of Land, independent of and notwithstanding the judgment in said action and decree of partition
Thus the identical point now presented has been decided, and in this action the matter is res judicata. It cannot be presented by a second appeal. The remedy, if error was committed by this Court, would have been by a petition to rehear. Holley v. Smith, 132 N. C., 36; Perry v. Railroad, 129 N. C., 333, and cases there cited. Nor does it vary this rule that the former decision was upon an appeal from the continuance of the restraining order in this cause, and this appeal comes up on appeal from a final judgment. The present appeal is solely upon exceptions that the Judge charged in exact accordance with the former ruling of this Court and his refusal to charge contrary thereto. Setzer v. Setzer, 129 N. C., 296.
In 17 A. & E. Enc., 819 (1 Ed.), it is said: “A party to a partition wbo subsequently acquires a new and independent title wbicb was in no way represented by any of tbe parties to tbe suit may be permitted to assert it.” Henderson v. Wallace, 72 N. C., 451, bolds that one not a party or privy to partition proceedings is in no way affected by tbe decree. To same effect 21 A. & E. (2 Ed.), 1186: “Tbe familiar principle that judgments and decrees bind only parties and privies is as applicable to judicial proceedings in partition as to other litigation,” and cases there cited. Land not having been a party to tbe partition decree in 1895, bis interest was not affected by it. He could recover it or sell it to another, and tbe defendant could acquire and assert it as well as another. This is not tbe case of “feeding an estoppel.”
In Harrison v. Ray, 108 N. C., 215, 11 L. R. A., 722, 23 Am. St. Rep., 57, it is held that in voluntary actual partition tbe deeds convey no title, but simply ascertain by metes and bounds tbe interest of each. This has been cited and affirmed by Douglas, Jin Carson v. Carson, 122 N. C., at p. 648; by Shepherd, J., in Fort v. Allen, 110 N. C., at p. 192, and again as recently as Harrington v. Rawls, 131 N. C., 40, and was stated also in Lindsay v. Beaman, 128 N. C., 189. In 21 Am. & Eng., 1193, it is said that “'Both in voluntary and judicial partition, tbe decree does not create or divest any title to, or other right in, tbe property, but merely severs tbe unity of possession and determines tbe share wbicb each tenant is entitled to possess in severalty.”
Tbe title of Land could not be divested by tbe proceeding to which he was not a party, and tbe purchase of it by
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