Carolina National Bank v. Senn

The opinion of the court was delivered by.

The points of this case will be sufficiently explained by the facts admitted on the record:

“That on November 6,1873, James Claffy made and published his last will and testament, as follows: 1. Debts to be paid out *576of income of crops, and, as far as'possible, without selling property. 2. After payment of debts, all his property, real and personal, to go, one third to his wife, Eliza, her heirs and assigns forever; the remaining two-thirds to be equally divided among his four children, Michael Robert, James Henry, Anna Maria, and Francis Peter, share and share alike, to them and their heirs and assigns forever. 3. Rufus D. Senn named as executor. James Claffy, at the time of making his will and at the time of his death, resided in the city of Columbia. Said will was admitted to probate, in the County of Richland, December 22, 1873. Rufus D. Senn qualified as executor on same day, and is now such executor. The wife and children named in the will survived testator.

“At the time of his death, the testator was possessed of considerable personal property, which went into the hands of the said Rufus D. Senn, as executor, and was seized of certain valuable real estate in Richland and Orangeburg Counties. Judgments in the above entitled actions were obtained in Richland County against Senn, as executor, in the year 1878. The causes of action on which said judgments were obtained arose subsequent to the constitution of 1868, and were simple contracts not under seal. Executions were issued in the cases of Koegan and Bateman, and valuable property in the city of Columbia was levied upon February 8, 1878, as the property of James Claffy, deceased, to satisfy the same. Transcripts of said judgments were docketed in Orangeburg County August 18, 1884. Leave to renew executions was granted December 3, 1884. Renewal executions were issued December 3, 1884, and lodged with the sheriff of Orange-burg January 28, 1885. The sheriff of Orangeburg, under these executions, levied on all that tract of land, containing 362 acres, situate in Orangeburg County, as before stated, as lands belonging to the estate of James Claffy, deceased, on February 23,1885.

• “The lands so levied are the same now in the possession and occupancy of the claimants, Robert M. Claffy, James H. Claffy, and Anna M. Darby, and of Francis P. Claffy, and which were in their possession before and at the time of said levy. The said Robert M. and James H. Claffy are iioav, and were at the time of said levy, heads of families; and the said Anna M. Darby is now, *577and was at the time of said levy, a married woman, whose husband has not sufficient property of his own to constitute a homestead. That the said Robert M. and James IT. Claffy, and Anna M. Darby, with their respective families, resided on different portions of said lands at the time of such levy, and now reside thereon. Robert M. and James H. Claffy and Anna M. Darby each claimed a homestead in the portion of land whereon they resided with their families. On February 23,1885, a homestead in said lands was duly set off and assigned by metes and bounds to Robert M. and James H. Claffy and Anna M. Darby, respectively, by appraisers duly appointed and sworn for that purpose. That the homestead so assigned to each of the said parties consisted of the dwelling house and out-buildings of said parties, respectively, and one hundred and ten acres of the lands appurtenant thereto.”

To these hofnestead assignments the plaintiffs filed the following exceptions: “First. Because the heirs of James Claffy, deceased, are not entitled each to a separate and distinct homestead out of the estate of their father, against judgments obtained against his executor before the estate was settled. Second. Because the claim of separate parcels of land by the children of James Claffy, deceased, does not entitle each to a separate homestead out of their father’s estate against judgment debts of their father. Third. Because the widow of James Claffy being now dead, in no point of view could the children have homestead in their father’s estate, except that on which their mother resided previous to her death, being the family homestead of their father. Fourth. Because the children are not entitled to their distributive share, over and above the exemption allowed by law to the head of the family (being a family homestead), until the judgment debts against their father have first been satisfied.”

These exceptions came on to be heard by Judge Cothran, when other evidence was offered in addition to the “agreed statement” of facts, principally, however, in reference to the time when the family left Columbia and went upon the Orangeburg land, and as to an alleged parol partition of the same among the children after their mother’s death (in 1875); that the children paid the taxes on the land, but always returned it as belonging to the estáte of their father, &c. But the Circuit Judge, holding that the issue *578¡made by the pleadings and the agreed statement of facts was that “.of homestead pure and simple,” confined himself to that question, and, sustaining the exceptions to the three homesteads as set off, .set the same aside; and he further ordered that the plaintiffs ha-ve judgments severally against the claimants for their costs and disbursements.

From this .judgment the three claimants appeal to this court, alleging error on the part of the judge in sustaining the exceptions hereinbefore stated, and also upon additional grounds, as follows:

“I. Because his honor erred in holding that the several claimants were not entitled, under the constitution and laws of this State, to a homestead in the lands actually held, possessed, and occupied by them respectively, the same consisting of their dwelling houses and lands appurtenant thereto; and the said Robert M. Claffy and James H. Claffy being heads of families, and the said Anna M. Darby being a married woman, whose husband has not sufficient property of his own to constitute a homestead.

“II. Because his honor erred in not allowing a homestead to the claimants, they being entitled to a homestead as the children of James Claffy, deceased, if not otherwise; and to have the family homestead exempted in like manner, as if their father were living, and to have the same appraised and set off to them.

“III. Because his honor erred in holding that although the widow of James Claffy was only entitled to the constitutional right of homestead at the time of his death, that this right ‘was incapable of operation for want of proper provision of law to that end.’

“IV. Because his honor erred in not ordering a reappraisement of homestead to the claimants in the above stated cases.”

There was argument at the bar to the point, that the judgments against Rufus D. Senn, as executor of the deceased debtor, James Claffy, could not levy and sell the land in Orangeburg, for the reason that it had, as alleged, been transferred by the executor to the exclusive possession of the children as devisees under the will, and therefore it was not liable to levy and sale according to the doctrine of Huggins v. Oliver, 21 S. C., 147, and the line of authorities therein reviewed. It was also argued, that, as the debts were simple contracts of 1873, upon which judgments were *579only rendered in Richland in 1878, and not lodged in Orange-burg until 1884, the claimants were protected in the possession of the lands by lapse of time and the statute of limitations. While, on the other side, it was suggested that there was really no absolute devise of the land to the children, but only ‘‘after payment of the debts,” which was, in effect, to charge the land with their payment; that the executor, Senn, never gave unqualified assent to the devises, but, being responsible for the payment of the debts, still kept control of the land for that purpose; and, therefore, the possession of the children was merely permissive, and neither adverse nor exclusive. See 2 Story Eq. Jur., § 1246; Lupton v. Lupton, 2 Johns. Ch., 614. But as the case was before the Circuit Judge simply on exceptions to the allowance of three homesteads, he declined to consider any other question except that of homestead as allowed; and, of course, there can be no other question before us on appeal from his judgment. Some of the matters indicated in argument may be important — too important, at all events, to be considered incidentally upon a mere question of homestead — but they are not before this court, and in order to prevent possible injustice, we take occasion to state that whatever is said here is intended to be entirely without prejudice, except as to the very points ruled.

Then as to the allowance of three homesteads in the Orange-burg lands, one to each of the applicants, children of the deceased debtor. Many new and difficult points have arisen under the constitution and laws giving the right of homestead; and it strikes us that the one made here is not only novel in its character, but ingenious. As we understand it, the proposition is, that, as against a debt of the ancestor, his children in possession of lands of his estate are each entitled to a homestead therein, provided such child happens to have a family of his own, and, therefore, may be said to be, in general terms, “the head of a family” ; thus multiplying homesteads in the lands of a deceased debtor, according to the number of his children who may happen to be on the lands and to have families of their own. Surely, such could not have been the intention either of the provision in the constitution or of the laws passed to carry it into effect.

The deceased contracted the debts upon which the judgments *580were rendered in April and August, 1873, and soon after, in December of the same year, died. Although the judgments were only rendered in 1878, and not transcripted to Orangeburg until 1884, it is quite clear that the question of homestead in lands of the deceased must be determined by the law as it stood in 1873. See Norton v. Bradham, 21 S. C., 381. At that time the original constitution (1868), without amendment, was of force, which (section 32 of article II.) declared as follows: “The family homestead of the head of each family residing in this State, such homestead consisting of the dwelling house, out-buildings, and land appurtenant, not to exceed, &c., shall be exempt from attachment, levy, and sale on any mesne or final process issued from any court,” &c. It is true that the terms of this provision are very general — “the head of each family residing in this State,” and “any process from any court,” &c. — but can there be a "reasonable doubt that, as against the same debts, only one homestead was intended, and that for the protection of the debtor himself or, in the case of death, of his family ? Who but the debtor himself, against whom there is process, can need “exemption from process,” either for himself or, in certain circumstances, his family ? It seems to us that any other interpretation would run counter to the whole spirit and object of the homestead provision.

But if there could have been any doubt arising from the very general terms of the provision in the constitution, we think they were entirely removed by the act of February 22, 1873 (15 Stat., 371), which was passed for the express purpose of carrying that provision into effect. In the first section of that act it abundantly appears that the homestead was intended, at least in the first instance, to exempt the property of the debtor. In providing for the appointment of appraisers to set off the homestead, it directs the sheriff to cause the appointment of three appraisers, “one to be appointed by the creditor, one by the debtor, and one by himself, provided, should the creditor or debtor refuse,” &c. It also declares that when thirty days shall have elapsed after filing the return setting off homestead to the debtor, &c., and no good cause has been shown, &c., such debtor may have such return recorded,” &c. It thus appears that the exemption was given, at least primarily, to the debtor against whom there is process. We cannot *581conceive of such a thing as an “independent homestead,” simply on the ground that the party is on the land levied, and happens to be “the head of a family.” Something more is necessary. Surely, a stranger, without privity with the debtor, could not set up the right; but to be entitled against “any process,” the applicant must make the claim either as the debtor himself, ox, after his decease, as a member of his family.

It is true that in the case of Norton v. Bradham,, supra, it was held that “the legislature had full power to enact the act of 1874 (15 Stat., 589), which extends to a wife living with her husband, who owns no property, the protection of a homestead exemption as against her own debts.” But in delivering the judgment of the court, Judge Mclver carefully stated the view thus : “Looking at the constitutional provision now under consideration in this light, it would seem to be a matter of small importance whether the head of a family, or any other member of the family, ivas the legal owner of the family homestead. That is the thing exempted, and if the sale of it would deprive the family of its home, the mischief, which it was designed to prevent, would ensue, whether it was sold for the debt of the head of the family, or for the debt of some other member of the family, to whom such family homestead legally belonged,” &c. Here none of the claimants are the debtors. Although they are claiming exemption in their father’s land and as against his debts, they yet claim “independently,” each for himself. This, in our judgment, they cannot do. If they are entitled to homestead, it is as their father’s family, to whom his right was transmitted, and not as the independent heads of their own families respectively.

Under certain circumstances, “the children” may claim exemption as against debts of the ancestor, but in such case they can only claim as a family. The words, “each family,” clearly mean the family collectively as a unit; if the widow be living, “the widow and children,” or, if she be dead, “the children” as a class and not severally; and that, too, without the slightest regard to the fact whether such children are still minors in the family homestead or grown up, emancipated, and having families of their own. This is conclusively shown by the fourth section of the act of 1873, which is the only provision of law under which the appel*582lants as “children” could claim homestead, the father and mother both being dead. That section is as follows: “If the husband be dead, the widow and children, if the father and mother be dead, the children living on the homestead, whether any or all such children be minors or not, shall be entitled to have the family homestead exempted in like manner as if the husband or parents were living; and the homestead so exempted shall be subject to partition among all the children of the head of the family in like manner as if no debts existed: provided that no partition or sale in that case shall be made until the youngest child becomes of age, unless, upon proof satisfactory to the court hearing the case, such sale is deemed best for the interest of such minor or minors.” This would seem to be demonstrative that the grant of the exemption to “children,” as such, was intended to be a single homestead, to them as a class and not severally. The family homestead is to be exempted to them “in like manner as if the husband or parents were living” ; and, besides, such homestead is subject to partition.

But if we clearly understand it, the appellants do not claim their separate homesteads as “children” of the debtor, but independently, in their own right. We confess we cannot so understand it. The debts against which they claim are undoubtedly the debts of their father, and he was also the owner of the land in which the exemption is claimed; and it seems to us that the application itself for homestead as against the debts of the father, is tantamount to an admission that so much of the lands as may not be carved out by the homesteads claimed, will still belong to his estate; and is, therefore, not quite consistent with their claim of absolute title in the lands. It cannot be said that the appellants are claiming “their own individual homestead rights,” when there is no debt or process against them individually as the separate heads of families, and their applications are for homesteads against their father’s debts, necessarily implying that the lands are also of his estate. If the lands belonged absolutely to the claimants, there would be neither need nor propriety in claiming homesteads as against any debts but their own.

Taking it as shown, that the claims could not be for “independent homestead rights,” as against debts of the claimants them*583selves, but for rights derived from the debtor as the head of the family — their deceased father — -the applications might have been made under section 8 of the act of 1873 (now substantially reenacted as section 2002 of the General Statutes), which provides, that “whenever the head of any family, married woman, widow, or children shall be entitled to any estate or right of homestead as hereinbefore provided, and no process has been lodged with any officer against such homestead, the party or parties entitled to such homestead may apply at any time by petition to the master of said county, or if there be no master therein, then and in that event to the clerk of the court for said county, to have the same appraised and set off,” &e. We cannot say that it was error on the part of the Circuit Judge to sustain the exceptions to the assignment of homestead in the three several cases stated, and to set aside the same.

But, assuming this view to be correct, further exception is taken, that, having reached that conclusion, the Circuit Judge should have ordered a new assignment of one homestead, the family homestead, to the children as a class. We do not think that the judge erred in omitting so to do. He could only decide the question which was before him, the right of each of the three parties to the homesteads as assigned. That as to one homestead had not been made or considered in the tribunal where the proceeding was commenced. After deciding the question made, the judge had no right in his court, and of his own head, to originate a proceeding for the assignment of one in the place of the three claimed. When such application is made in the manner and in the tribunal appointed by law, and it comes up regularly, then will be the proper time to consider whether, in this case, the children as a class are entitled to the family homestead in the Orangeburg lands of the testator, which he disposed of by his will. “The right of homestead is a statutory right, or rather a constitutional right, to be enforced by statutory proceedings under the statutes upon the subject of homestead. The Circuit Court is without original jurisdiction.” Myers v. Ham, 20 S. C., 527.

One of the exceptions complains that it was error to adjudge costs to the plaintiffs against the claimants. It has been held in this State that there is no authority conferred by the code to tax *584as costs, in special proceedings, the allowances as costs in an action. Columbia Water Power Company v. Columbia, 4 S. C., 402. The code defines an action to be “an ordinary proceeding in a court of justice, by which a party prosecutes another party for the enforcement or protection of a right, the redress or prevention of a wrong, or the punishment of a public offence;” and declares all other remedies to be “special proceedings.” We are not aware that it has ever been decided that an application for homestead under our constitution and laws is not an action, but a “special proceeding,” in the sense of the code. It has been held in New York, under a provision in her code identical with ours, that a proceeding for the admeasurement of dower is an action (see Wait’s Ann. Code, page 19, and authorities), and it would seem 'that an application for the admeasurement of homestead is not essentially different from that of dower.

But it is not necessary in this case to decide whether it is an action or a special proceeding; for the homestead law does expressly allow certain specified costs in such proceedings. See section 2004, General Statutes. It is true, there is a direction that the costs indicated must be paid “out of the property of the debtor, or in case the homestead is set off to the widow or minor children, out of the estate of the deceased.” But it is manifest that this provision contemplated only the case in which the claimant was legally entitled to the homestead, and it was actually set off. But by whom should those costs be paid, when the application turns out to be unfounded and the petition is dismissed? We think the costs ought to be paid by some one. But inasmuch as costs are purely statutory, and the special act upon the subject of homestead makes no provision for costs in the case which has occurred, we know of no law that allows the costs to be taxed against the petitioners. We suppose that the master has received his costs, $5, in each case under the last clause of the section 2004 of the General Statutes, which provides: “Whenever a homestead is laid off as provided, the master or clerk, as the case may be, shall receive as compensation $5 for all services, including the record of the proceedings, but excluding the advertising, which shall not exceed five dollars, and which fees and costs shall be paid in advance by the party claiming the homestead,” &c.

*585The judgment of this court is, that the judgment of the Circuit Court, as herein explained, be affirmed, except as to the costs, which is reversed.