Tucker v. Condy
Tucker v. Condy
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the Court was delivered by
Robert M. Allan departed this life, in the year 1839, having duly executed his last Will and Testament, leaving a considerable estate in the State of
In the year 1839, or 1840, Thomas D. Condy obtained letters of Administration of the assets of Robert M. Allan, in the State of Mississippi, and possessed himself of both the real and personal property in that State. The Will of Robert M. Allan gave no power to the Executors to sell the real estate; yet, the said Thomas D. Condy, sold the plantation of the testator in South Carolina. This sale, was subsequently confirmed by this Court. He also sold, all the real and personal estate in the State of Mississippi. It does not appear, that he sold the real estate in that jurisdiction, by any legal authority. He appears to have sold it without authority, but with the consent, and at the request of Andrew C. Turnbull, who held a mortgage of the whole of that property for a large amount. The regularity and validity of the sales made by Condy, are not in question here. The only question as to such sales, now before the Court, is, as to the distribution of the proceeds.
Robert M. Allan was largely indebted, at the time of his death. At first, it was with reason supposed, that his estate would be amply sufficient to pay all his debts. But from subsequent and untoward circumstances, for which Condy does not appear to have been in default, nor in any way responsible, this proved to be a mistake; the estate is largely insolvent.
One of the cases stated in the caption of this opinion is a creditors bill, against Condy, executor of Allan in South Carolina, and administrator in Mississippi, for an account,
The laws of South Carolina and Mississippi are different, as to the mode of applying the assets of an insolvent debtor after his death. In the State first named, by the Act of 1789, called the Executors Act, the debts are to be paid in a certain prescribed order, and according to a certain rank and classification therein declared; while in the State of Mississippi under like circumstances, the assets are applied towards the satisfaction of all the debts pro rata, except as to creditors having liens. The question here made is whether the Mississippi assets are to be administered according to the South Carolina or Mississippi mode. The question has never before, (so far as I am informed,) been decided or made in the Courts of this State.
The administration in Mississippi has been completed. The accounts there have been closed. There is no creditor claiming in that jurisdiction. There is a net balance on the administrator’s accounts against him in the Orphans’ or Probate Courts of that State. And all the creditors now claiming, are of this State.
The administration of the foreign estate is ancillary to that of the domicil. In the foreign administration, the law of that jurisdiction is to prevail in the payment of debts due to the citizens of the country, and all others, (I apprehend,) who make their application for payment there. When this is done, and all claims against the foreign administration are satisfied, what
The Court is now acting as well upon the assets that were found at the testator’s death in South Carolina, as upon the balance of assets in Mississippi, on the administration in that State. It is contended that, as the law of the latter State applies the assets of a deceased insolvent to the payment of his debts pro rata, the same rule should prevail here, as to so much of the fund as has been derived thence. But surely, this is a misconception. One of the characteristics of personal estate, (and hence the name,) is, that in legal contemplation, it is supposed to be ever attendant upon the person. In its disposition, whether inter vivos, or by succession, or distribution, the forms required by the law of the proprietor’s domicil are sufficient to pass and transfer it. This rule obtains from the comity of nations and may be said to be almost universal law.
• The law of Mississippi, which I have noticed, by which the assets of a deceased insolvent within that State are applied pro rata among his creditors, without reference to the rules of law on that subject of the testator’s or intestate’s domicil, (or that of other States, or countries, having similar provisions,) are exceptional to the general principles, which apply in the disposition of personal estate. The exception is based upon a good and sufficient reason. It is the right, and duty of every Government, to protect and aid its own citizens in the recovery and enjoyment of their just claims. When an ancillary administration is granted in a foreign State, (in Mississippi, for example,) no comity requires that she should send
As to Miss Bowman’s Appeal, there is some irregularity in the manner in which it has been presented to the Court, and it arises on a point that was not presented to or considered by the Circuit Court. As the adverse counsel interposes no objection, and it manifestly appears that injustice has been done her, the Court will consider her appeal.
Miss Bowman was a creditor of Robert M. Allan, to a large amount, by two several bonds; on one of which bonds is now due (the date of the report^ the sum of $1127 19, and on the other, the sum of $1174 24, both of which were secured by a mortgage of the plantation or tract of land, in Saint Andrew’s Parish, in the State of South Carolina, on which the said Allan lived at the time of his death. This land was sold by the executor, Thomas D. Condy, at public sale. Mrs. Allan became the purchaser, at the bid of $6,050 00. She
It is to be remarked, that by the decree confirming the sale of the plantation on which Miss Bowman held a mortgage, and ordering titles to be made to Dr. George Haig, she was not bound. She was not a party to the cause. Creditors had not then been called in. She was in no wise affected or compromised by the decree. She might have gone on and foreclosed her mortgage, notwithstanding the decree. But to this creditors bill, she is a party. The creditors have all been called; among them, she has appeared, and has proved her debt and mortgage. But the land upon which she had a lien, and priority of claim, by virtue of her mortgage, has been sold under the sanction of the Court, and the proceeds thereof disposed of. And in the distribution which has been reported and recommended to the Court, her claim has been entirely pretermitted, and no provision made for her. That, now, is the ground of her complaint, and her present appeal. It would not rest with her hereafter, to say she was not a party to these proceedings. She is a party, and if some remedy is not now provided for her, she will be concluded hereafter.
The claim of Miss Bowman is obviously meretorious. The
The Circuit decree is affirmed, except as modified by this decree.
Decree modified.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.