Devore v. Sunderland
Devore v. Sunderland
Opinion of the Court
The determination of this case depends upon the nature of the covenants of seizin and of power to convey.
These covenants are synonymous, but not converse.
If a man be seized in fee, he has the power to sell, but he may have the power to sell and not be seized.
- When, therefore, the power to sell results from seizin, the two covenants are inseparable and of the same nature, and in such case if the one be real the other is real, and if the one be
The covenant of seizin is in presentí or in futuro, and may be personal or real. If it never attach to the land it is instantly broken and personal, if it once attach, it is real, and runs with the land.
If the grantor be in actual possession, claiming adversely, the covenant of seizin runs with the land, and is not broken until the purchaser, or those claiming under him, are evicted by paramount title. But if the grantor is not in actual possession, and has not title, the covenant of seizin is instantly broken, and is personal. If under Such circumstances the grantee should see proper to convey, the purchaser from him could not sue upon the original covenant of seizin as with the first grantor, he is neither in privity of estate or contract; and the covenant, in such case, being personal, is a chose in action not transferable, but remains to the first grantee. This conclusion is not only-supported by numerous authorities, but is expressly laid down in the case of Backus v. McCoy, 3 O. Rep., to which we still adhere.
But it may be contended that in this case the original grantor was in possession. This is not true either in fact or law. The
We do not find, therefore, that the jury were misdirected in any material point as to matter of law, or that the jury were not warranted in their verdict. The motion for a new trial was therefore properly overruled, and judgment entered upon the verdict.
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- James Devore v. Abraham Sunderland
- Cited By
- 11 cases
- Status
- Published