Anderson v. Anderson
Anderson v. Anderson
Opinion of the Court
The subject of this action of partition is a farm of one hundred and forty acres owned in fee by William Anderson,— grandfather of the beneficial plaintiffs,—who died in 1850, seized thereof and testate, leaving to survive him a widow, since deceased, and eight children. Four of said children, James, Robert, John and Mary, died intestate in the order named, and all without issue, except John who left to survive him six children,—the beneficial plaintiffs. Afterwards, other ■two of said children,—George and Joseph,—died testate, in the order named. The only survivors of said eight children are Samuel and Rebecca, defendants, who claimed the land in
Without reciting the devising clauses of William Anderson’s will, we are of opinion that, upon a proper construction thereof, in connection with the facts above stated, the court was clearly right in reaching the conclusion embodied in its judgment, and that the latter should not be disturbed. We are also of opinion that the interest given to testator’s sons, James, George and Joseph, was merely a life estate in the land, to them and the survivors and survivor of them, and hence the defendants, Samuel and Rebecca, took nothing under the joint will of their brothers George and Joseph.
It is unnecessary to elaborate either of these conclusions-They are in full accord with the intention of the testator as expressed in his will.
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Jacob H. Anderson v. Samuel Anderson
- Cited By
- 5 cases
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- Published
- Syllabus
- Will—Life estate. Testator devised all his real estate to his three sons, naming them, “ during their natural lives, and for their support and maintenance,” without “ power to sell, divide, dispose of or alienate the aforesaid land, nor shall it in any way be subject to sale, levy or execution for any debt or debts contracted by them, or either of them.” Should they die without issue, then their interest in the rents, interest and profits of the land should “ be vested in the survivor, or survivors, during their natural life.” Testator further directed as follows: “Should any of my aforesaid sons, James, George and Joseph, leave lawful issue, it is my will that said lawful issue enjoy the absolute right and title the interest of which the parent of said lawful issue enjoyed, of a life estate to one third of the whole, and should the aforesaid Janies, George and Joseph or either of them die without lawful issue, then it is my will that the right of them or either of them descend to my lawful heirs.” Reid, that the three sons took a life estate only in the land.