Irwin v. Chrisman
Irwin v. Chrisman
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the Court.
This bill and cross bill, was filed in the Chancery Court of DeKalb. It appears from the facts stated in the original bill, Daniel Smith, on the 11th of December, 1847, executed and delivered a deed of gift to the complainant, as follows: “For the love and affection I bear my sister, Sarah Irwin, I do hereby give, transfer and convey, during her life, for her use and benefit, a certain negro woman named Lucy,' about twenty-two. years old, and her four children, to-wit: Frank, Jim, Berry and Henry, and the increase, if any more; and at the death of my said sister, said slaves to be equally divided between the children she now has, or may hereafter have. I only intend the use of said slaves for said Sarah during her natural life, and after her death to be equally divided between her children,” etc., etc. The deed was properly registered. It does not appear from the proof, whether Irwin, the husband, was living at the execution of the deed. He died about the time of its execution. An administrator was appointed on his estate. The slaves remained in the possession of the widow several years, and she intermarried with defendant, Isaac
The negro woman Lucy, and the increase, were levied upon by the creditors of Isaac ^Chrisman, and this Mil is filed by the complainant and her children, to enjoin the sale, and to secure the interest in remainder to the children of the deceased husba'nd, and to settle the life estate on her, free from the debts and contracts of her husband. Smith answered, and admitted he had sold the three slaves, and was unable to return them — insisted he had, in the conveyance of the land, given valuable consideration — admits the bond for title to the four hundred acres was given to the husband, Isaac Chrisman, and that he had assigned the same — that the object and purpose was to secure the land tb the children of Sarah.
A decree was rendered in the Court below, directing a sale of the life estate in a part of the slaves, securing the remainder interest to the children of
It is insisted, for the complainant, Sarah, that the deed of the 18th of August, 1847, to her and he: children, vested a separate estate in her for life, aid remainder to her children, before her intermarriage with Chrisman. His marital rights did not attach; eonse-quently, the negro woman, Lucy, and her increase, were not the subjects of levy and sale, at the suit of the creditors of the husband. This question has been frequently before this Court, and the principle is too well settled to be disturbed; unless the intention clearly appears from the instrument by which the party holds the right of the property, the object and intention of the maker was to exclude the marital rights of the husband, they would attach. The language of the deed is: “For her
Upon an examination of the cases that have been before this Court, in which the marital rights of the husband were excluded, there was a clear intention, on the part of the maker, expressed in the deed. In the case of Hamilton vs. Bishop & Fly, 8 Yer., the language of the deed is, to the “use and benefit of the said Elizabeth and children, and to remain in the possession of said Elizabeth, for the use and support of said children forever.” These words control and limit the meaning of the expression before used — “I give to the said Elizabeth, and to the heirs of her body”' — so as to point out the particular purpose for which the property was given; and, in our view, equivalent to the words, “sole and separate use.”
In the case of Beufort Adams vs. Collier, 6 Hum., 488, the question was again before this Court, and the case was well considered. The Court say, in that case, if it clearly appeared it was the intention of the testator to exclude the marital rights of the husband, the Court will carry that intention into effect. The first bequest in the Will under consideration — in that case, the testator gave the negroes absolutely to the legatee. In the seventh clause, he added: “Fearing his sister might marry some man who would squander her property, he gave the negroes in trust to her brothers, William and James, for her and her heirs’ benefit.” In that case, the reason given by the testator for changing the form of the bequest, evinced the intention to exclude the marital rights of the husband.
In the deed now under consideration, we are of the opinion, there is nothing in the deed which shows an intention, on the part of the donor, to give the donee an estate excluding the marital rights of the husband; and we are of opinion, the rights of the husband at-taehed, and the property was liable to seizure and sale by his creditors.
It is insisted, if the rights of the husband attached to the property vested in the first husband, Wm. Irwin, and passed to his administrator, it does not clearly appear at what time Irwin died. His administrator left the country, and made no effort to take the property in possession. Defendant, Smith, in his answer, affirms the deed was made after the death of Irwin. It does not appear he owed debts. The negroes remained in the possession of the widow for more than three years,
It appears, from the pleadings and cross hill of Daniel Smith, he conveyed to complainants, in part consideration, a tract of land of two hundred acres, the remainder interest of which is in them, in part payment for the purchase of the negroes, Frank, Berry and Polk— those he had purchased of Chrisman - and wife. The title of the remainder interest in the two hundred acres being in them, it would he inequitable to prevent them to recover the value of the remainder interest in the three slaves, Frank, Berry and Polk, and not account for the value of the remainder interest in the land.
The cause will be remanded to the Chancery Court, where an account will he taken. ‘ The defendant, Smith, will be charged with the value of the remainder interest at the date of the sale, and credited with the value of the remainder interest of the land at the date of deed. The decree of the Court, in all other matters, will he affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Daniel Irwins. v. Isaac Chrisman and Daniel Smith v. Daniel Irwins.
- Status
- Published