Brett v. Williamson
Brett v. Williamson
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting, said:
I am unable to concur in this conclusion. The sole title of the purchaser was under a sale of the land. The debtor had no interest in the land. I cannot see how a right to a legacy in money can pass to a purchaser of the land to which the party had no title. I therefore dissent.
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court
In December, 1871, one George Williamson died in Wilson county, leaving a last will and testament, and a widow and one son, defendant, P. K., the heirs-at-law of another son, T. E. Williamson, and a grandson, his only legatees, devisees and heirs-at-law. The son, T. E. Williamson, was living when the will was executed, but died before his father’s death.
The executor nominated in the will refused to qualify, and testator’s widow and one Talbot qualified as administrators, with the will annexed.
At May term, 1872, P. K. Williamson confessed two judgments in the circuit court of Wilson county, one in favor of Cartmell, administrator, and one in favor of defendant, Hamilton; one for $593, and the other for $275. . Upon these judgments executions were issued early in 1873, and levied upon the one-third undivided interest of said P. K. Williamson, in the tract of land mentioned in the said fourth clause of testator’s will. This tract of land contained about 206 acres. Thé interest levied on was sold May 3, 1873, under the said executions, and defendant Hamilton became the purchaser, at the amount of said two judgments, interest and costs.
In September, 1873, the widow of testator died without having married again, and a few days thereafter defendant P. K. and John M. Williamson and two adult heirs of T. E. Williamson, deceased,' filed their bill against five minor heirs of said T. E. and the administrator, Talbot, praying a sale of said tract of land that the proceeds might be divided as directed in the 'will: '' The land was sold and the sale con
In April, .1876, complainants, creditors oi defendant, P. K. Williamson, filed this bill in the chancery court at Lebanon, seeking to reach one-third of the proceeds of the sale of said land, as the property of said P. K., and to have the same applied to the satisfaction of their judgments, upon which executions had issued and been returned “nulla bona.”
Complainants’ bill was dismissed by the chancellor, and upon 'appeal here the Referees have recommended an affirmance of the decree, and complainants have excepted to their report, raising the question of the validity of the execution sale of the land and the right •of defendant Hamilton to the proceeds of said P. K’s. interest therein.
The complainants insist that P. K. Williamson had no such interest in the land as could be sold under •execution, and that the election ,of one of three parties in interest amounts to nothing, and cannot stay the execution of the power to sell the whole. It is true that the election .of one of three' parties to take land instead of the proceeds of its sale, would not hinder the execution of the power to sell, against the wish ■of the other two, or even one of them.
But in this case it appears ’that defendant P. K.
Upon the facts disclosed in this record, the sale might well be sustained upon the ground of a voluntary sale of personalty by the owner, upon ■ a fail-consideration paid in the extinguishment of debts against him. P. K. 'Williamson’s object and avowed purpose was to make this bequest satisfy said judgments. There is no impeachment of the justice of the payments, nor any imputation of fraud.
Under these facts could the debtor set aside the right of the purchaser? And if not, have his creditors any higher right?
But if the legal title to the land not being vested
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Alex. Brett, Adm'r. v. P. K. Williamson
- Status
- Published