Salinas v. Pearsall
Salinas v. Pearsall
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the court was delivered by
[Omitting the statement of facts.] The plaintiffs have appealed upon several exceptions. These exceptions, however, raise but three questions. 1st. That his honor erred in holding the bond and mortgage to be trust property. 2d. In holding that the plaintiffs’ testator became assignee with knowledge of the trust, or at least of facts sufficient to put him upon inquiry, which, if properly conducted, would have resulted in the discovery of the trust. 3d. That he erred in holding that the defendant could defeat the action on these grounds.
I. Did Bryan hold these papers as trustee of Mrs. Jarrott, and under the limitations of the original trust deed? There can be no doubt that, as between himself and the cestui que trusts, he did so hold them. They were the result of a sale of a tract of land which he had purchased as the trustee of these parties, and paid for in part, at least, by the proceeds of the sale of a portion of the original trust property. This land was conveyed to him as trustee. True, it is not stated in the deed who were the cestui que trusts, but there can be no doubt on this subject. If the contest here was between him and the cestui que trusts, could any court hesitate to enforce the trust under the facts as stated? Besides this, upon the face both of the bond and mortgage it appears that they ivere each executed to him as trustee of Mrs. Jarrott.
II. Now, the important question arises, Did Salinas have knowledge of this fact, or knowledge of facts sufficient to put him upon such inquiry as would have led to a discovery of the trust
It may be urged, however, that he thought this trustee had the right to sell and assign, when done with the, consent of the cestui que trust, and he knew this consent had been given. True, the trustee had power to sell the trust estate or any portion thereof, with the written consent of Mrs. Jarrott, for reinvestment. Was the assignment here for reinvestment ? Certainly not. It ivas to pay a debt contracted by Mrs. Jarrott and her husband for supplies, and its effect was not to keep the trust estate alive, but to destroy it, and this must have been apparent to Salinas. A purchaser is not ordinarily required to see to the application of the purchase money where the vendor has power to sell, but where he knows, or ought to know, that a breach of trust is being committed, he cannot shield himself. Simons v. Bank, 5 Rich. Rq., 272; Webb v. Graniteville Manf. Co., 11 S. C., 407; Mayer v. Mordecai, 1 S. C., 398. Especially where the breach of trust and the improper application of the funds is for his benefit.
III. Lastly, can the defendant interpose the objections above, and thereby defeat the action ? Has there been a legal assignment ? If not, the plaintiffs must fail to recover.. That there has
It is the judgment of this court, that the judgment of the Circuit Court be affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.