Lessee of Moore v. Armstrong
Lessee of Moore v. Armstrong
Opinion of the Court
Does the disability of Mrs. Fleming prevent the statute from running, not only as to herself, but as to all the other lessors, is the first question. And whatever doubt may once have been entertained on this subject, it is 'now conclusively settled, 14] both in Great Britain and the United States, *that the statute is saved in favor only of the person laboring under the alleged disability. This is the rule with respect both to coparceners and tenants in common. In Jackson v. Perry, 4 D. & E. 516, where the question was whether the statute would run against all the joint plaintiffs, if any of them were free from disability, Lord Kenyon observed, that it was remarkable it was the first time the question had been made in'the English courts. The action was by partners, and it was held that inasmuch as the suit, to be sustained at all, must necessarily be a joint one, that the statute run against all the joint plaintiffs, although some of them were free from disability. In Marsteller v. McClean, 7 Cranch, 156, which was an action by joint plaintiffs for the recovery of mesne profits, a similar decision was made. It was held that where once the statute runs against one of two parties entitled to a joint action, it operates as a bar to all. Great reliance, however, is placed upon the form of the pleading. There was a joint replication to the
In Sandford v. Button, 4 Day, 310, which was also an ejectment by heirs, a different view seems to have been taken of the law from what was entertained in the two former. There can be no question, it is said, that it is the rule of the common law that, on a joint suit, the disability of one will save the rights of all the others. Jackson v. Perry, and Marsteller v. McClean, had decided that if the statute had barred the right of one, it would bar that of all the others; and Langdon v. Rowlston, and Doe v. Barksdale, had simply decided that if the statute had operated to bar one or more, it would not prejudice the rights of the others. But Sandford V: Button goes much further, and decides that the rights of none are prejudiced. This proceeds on the idea that the action at common law must necessarily be joint. But as the interests of coparceners are several, although their title is joint, it is plain that they may sue either on joint or separate demises. In Sandford v. Button, it is said, the practice peculiar to the State of Gonneeticut has varied the rule on this subject — has authorized separate demises to be laid where coparceners sue; and that, therefore, if one or more labor under disability, there is no reason why, in that state, the protec
In Kennedy v. Bruce, 2 Bibb, 371, it was held that under the act of Kentucky of 1797, declaring that entries for land shall become void, if not surveyed before October 1, 1798, with a saving to infants, if any one of the joint owners be under the disability, it brings the entry within the saving as to %ll the others. [17 The question, however, does not appear to have undergone much investigation, and the law undoubtedly was not so well settled then as it has been since.
There is another class of cases in which it has been held that the saving in the statute shall be extended to all, although one only may have labored under disability. Thus, in Kennedy’s Heirs v. Duncan, Hardin, 365, it was determined that if one of the persons against whom a decree is rendered be an infant, his infancy will prevent the statute of limitations from barring those who must necessarily join in a writ of error to reverse such decree. And the same decision, upon the same state of facts, was made in Wilkins v. Phillips, 3 Ohio, 49. Judgment of severance may be given in a writ of error, so as to permit those entitled to sue upon it without joining the others. But there seems to be this distinction, that if anything may be recovered by two or more plaintiffs in a writ of error, judgment of severance can not be given; but where a writ of error is brought by two or more plaintiffs to discharge themselves from some burden, judgment of severance may be given. Cro. Eliz. 649; Cro. Jac. 117, 616. In Wilkins'!;. Phillips, something was to be recovered, and the alternative presented was, that either none or all should be barred. The court yielded to the most favorable construction, and held that the rights of all were protected.
There is still another question which is presented: whether the plaintiff can recover the interest of Elizabeth Fleming, when she is united with the other lessors who are barred. The interest of one coparcener or tenant in common, whose right is saved, may be recovered in ejectment; but then it must be on a separate demise. If the demise is joint, those who are protected stand upon the same disadvantageous ground as in Jackson v. Perry, and Marsteller v. McClean, though not for the same reason. As it is competent to
Judgment for defendant.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- The Lessee of James Moore and others v. Armstrong and Chandler
- Cited By
- 2 cases
- Status
- Published