Ricaud v. Wilmington Savings & Trust Co.
Ricaud v. Wilmington Savings & Trust Co.
Opinion of the Court
(after stating the facts). This question depends upon the construction of the transaction in April, May, and June, 1888, whereby the stock standing in the name of James Dawson was transferred inf.o the name of William Hildreth Field, executor. By the will of Missouri g. Dawson, lie was her executor. By operation of law, eo instanti, upon Ms qualification as executor of Missouri g. Dawson, he became the executor of Janies Dawson, of whom she was executrix. He swears that when the transfer was made to him, as executor, by his direction, he meant executor of Missouri S. Dawson, and this was also the understanding of Asa K. Walker, the corresponding clerk and general assistant in the bank,, who kept the stock account and made the transfer. So his purpose, made known by him to the proper officer of the bank, was to transfer the certificates of stock from the name of James Dawson to himself, as executor of Missouri S. Dawson. The transfer was made. How .was it made? As the certificates stood in the name of James Dawson, t:hey were transferable only by him in person or by his attorney. Upon his death the transfer could be made only by his personal representative or his attorney. Ho legatee under the will could make such transfer, or authorize such transfer. When, therefore, the transfer was made, as in fact it was made, it could only have been done by Field, who was in law the executor of James Dawson. As such executor, he had this authority, — no one else liad such authority, —and he exercised it, and, only because of such exercise, the bank could and did make the transfer. The bank could not say that the transfer was made under the authority of the executor of Missouri 18. Dawson, for as such executor he had no such authority. The bank would be estopped from denying that the transfer was by the proper representative of James Dawson, and in this the receiver is affected by the same estoppel. It must lie remembered that no well-founded suspicion can exist that this transfer in 1888 was intended to defeat any creditor of the bank, or to avoid liability as a stockholder. At That time, and for three years afterwards, the bank was in credit, and no fear of its insolvency existed. Up to a very short time before its failure, gentlemen of sound judgment, members of the bar of high standing, purchased shares in it. So, whatever may have been the motive or purpose of this transfer, such motive or purpose could not have been to defeat the creditors of the bank, and in that alone has the complainant any interest. This being so, as Die bank would be estopped by the .transíer, its receiver is.
It is said, however, that Missouri g. Dawson was'simply a life tenant; that she left no estate; that her directions to her executor to make a trust capital of $30,000 from the personalty, and realty of
One other point of view suggests itself. At the failure of the bank the stock stood in the name of “William Hildreth Field, executor.” Of whom.? It had been in the name of James Dawson up to 1888. Parol evidence would be admitted to show who was the owner. Turnbull v. Payson, 95 U. S. 418. Now, the evidence is that Field intended to transfer that stock to himself, as executor of Missouri S. Dawson, and that after the transfer he held it as such executor, and with it carried out a part of the purpose of his testatrix, and the bank officer, transferring the stock, knew that he was taking it as the executor of Missouri S. Dawson. This testimony is not contradicted. The conclusion, therefore, cannot be resisted that the transfer was made in 1888, and thenceforward the estate of James Dawson ceased to hold the legal title to the stock, and its corresponding liability also ceased. Bank v. Case, 99 U. S., at page 631; Whitney v. Butler, 118 U. S. 655, 7 Sup. Ct. 61.
It may be discussed from yet another standpoint. Mrs. Fannie Pollock, the daughter of James Dawson, and his sole surviving heir, during her father’s lifetime married one Charles E. G-reenough. He died, leaving her a legacy of $50,000, absolutely, with some other property contingent on her continual widowhood. She gave to her father the check for the $50,000, and he drew and received the money, passing it to his own credit in bank. She testifies that this was a •loan to her father, and that he paid her interest during his life; that upon his death, she having in the meanwhile married Pollock, she
The decree of the circuit court dismissing the bill is affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- RICAUD v. WILMINGTON SAVINGS & TRUST CO.
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- Published