Supreme Court of South Carolina, 1915

Davis v. Hodge

Supreme Court of South Carolina · Decided September 29, 1915 · Gary, Hydrick, Fraser, Messrs, Watts, Gage

86 S.E. 478; 102 S.C. 178; 1915 S.C. LEXIS 193 (South Eastern Reporter)

Counsel

Messrs. L.D. Jennings, A.S. Harby and R.D. Epps , for appellant, cite: Civil Code, secs. 3571 and 3551. Rule of construction: 26 S.C. 564 ; 30 S.C. 188 . Gift unaffected by limitation over: 48 S.C. 440 ; 1 Rich. Eq. 404; 3 Rich. Eq. 384. Cases distinguished: 8 Rich. Eq. 259, 267; 38 S.C. 440 ; 3 Rich. Eq. 384. Estates by implication: 70 S.C. 125 . Heirs of body take by descent: 17 S.C. 551 ; 65 S.C. 354 ; 5 Rich. Eq. 443; 32 S.C. 563 ; 4 Rich. Eq. 262, 264; 1 Rich. 404; 4 Strob. Eq. 49; 2 Strob. Ch. 174; 48 S.C. 440 ; 94 S.C. 308 ; 3 Rich. Eq. 271. Cases distinguished: 2 Bail. 231. Survivorship referred to death of life tenant: 6 Rich. Eq. 83; 40 Cyc. 1505; 1 Rich. Eq. 265; Ib. 266; 26 S.C. 561 , 565 ; 7 Rich. Eq. 105; 6 Rich. Eq. 83; 35 Ky. 424 ; 98 N.Y. 517 ; 127 Pa. St. 230; 14 Am. St. Rep. 837; 13 Ind. 391 ; 33 N.E. 92 ; 44 S.W. 773; 51 S.W. 570; 58 S.W. 773; 36 A. 273; 54 N.J. Eq. 714 ; 78 N.Y. Supl. 245; 27 Pa. Super. 428 ; 30 S.C. 184 ; 95 S.C. 276 ; 42 S.C. 436 . Mr. John H. Clifton , for respondents.

Dissenting Opinion

Mr. Justice Fraser,

dissenting. I dissent. It seems to me that the remaindermen who survived the wife, the life tenant, took a fee.

Concurring Opinion

Mr. Justice Hydrick,

concurring. I concur in the view that plaintiff’s title is a fee simple, defeasible on her death without leaving heirs of her body; therefore, subject to that contingency, she can convey a good title.

Opinion of the Court

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

Mr. Chief Justice Gary.

For the reasons therein assigned, the judgment of the Circuit Court is affirmed.

Messrs. Justices Watts and Gage concur in the opinion of the Court.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.