Hayden v. Mentzer
Hayden v. Mentzer
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the court was delivered by
This was an amicable action, instituted for the purpose of ascertaining whether Rachael, the wife of Richard Hayden, had received any things and how much, as an advancement, from her father David Mentzer, deceased, during his life. It was proved, that David Mentzer had entered into written articles of agreement, with his son-in-law Andrew Topper, deceased, the former husband of his daughter Rachael (now the wife of Richard Hayden, and one of the plaintiffs,) by which he covenant-, ®d to convey to the said Topper in fee, a tract of land, con
It has not been denied, that a father may make an advancement ,to his daughter, within the meaning of the act of assembly, by conveyance of land to her husband in fee, just as he may make an advancement by paying a sum of money to the husband. It is the property of the father, who may advance his daughter in what manner he pleases, and he may think it most for her interest to place the property under the absolute controul of the husband. But the plaintiffs rely on the rule of law, by which parol evidence is excluded in the case of written instruments. It is unnecessary on the present occasion to travel through what may be truly called the wilderness of cases on the subject of parol evidence. We may decide the present question on plain principles. It is clear, beyond doubt, that any consideration, not contradictory of that which is mentioned in the deed, may be averred, and proved by parol evidence. Where a conveyance is made by deed of bargain and sale, for a consideration of money, it may be averred, that there was also a consideration of natural love and affection, in consequence of which, the deed may operate by way of covenant to stand seised. In the case before us, where the deed is, in form, a bargain and sale, in consideration of money, the land passes by bargain and sale, and parol evidence would be inadmissible for the purpose of showing, that there was no consideration of money. That would be in direct contradiction .of the deed, and would defeat its operation. But it is by ho means contradictory, nor does it at all affect the operation of the deed, to aver, that besides the consideration of money, there was a consideration of advancement to.the daughter of the bargain or, and that the true intent of the parties was, to convey to the husband, several tracts of land, valued altogether at £1000, for which he was to pay but £200, after the death of the father, and the remaining £800 was to be considered as an advancement to the daughter. The whole transaction bears on its face intrinsic marks of advancement, and I am clearly of opinion, that the parol evidence was consistent with the deed, and properly admitted. I am not to be understood, as saying, that in no case can a consideration
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- HAYDEN and Wife against MENTZER, and others
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published