Cronk v. Wilson

47 N.Y. Sup. Ct. 269
CourtNew York Supreme Court
DecidedApril 15, 1886
StatusPublished

This text of 47 N.Y. Sup. Ct. 269 (Cronk v. Wilson) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New York Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Cronk v. Wilson, 47 N.Y. Sup. Ct. 269 (N.Y. Super. Ct. 1886).

Opinion

Hardin, P. J.:

Upon the trial both parties gave evidence of facts and circum stances relating to the negotiations for and the taking of the deed and the occupation of the premises. Apparently neither side •objected to such evidence being received in aid of the construction to be givenjo the deed in question.

In Atkinson v. Cummins (9 How. [U. S.], 479) it is held, viz.: "In all cases where a difficulty arises in applying the words of a [273]*273will or deed to the subject-matter of the devise or grant, the difficulty or ambiguity which is introduced by the admission of extrinsic evidence may be rebutted or removed by the production of further evidence upon the same subject calculated to explain what was the estate or subject-matter really intended to be granted or devised.”

In Pritchard v. Hickes (1 Paige, 273) the chancellor says, viz.: Where the subject of the devise or legacy is described by reference to some extrinsic fact, extrinsic evidence must be resorted to for the purpose of ascertaining that fact, and thus to ascertain the Bubject of the lestator’s bounty.”

That case was referred to by Judge AlleN with approbation, in delivering his opinion in Mason v. White (11 Barb., 187), where he says, viz.: “Were this a question upon the construction of a devise, or of a deed inter partes, it is possible that evidence of intent might be received to control the application of the description of the subject-matter of the devise or grant.”

In Pettit v. Shepard (32 N. Y., 103) it was held, viz.: “ When the description of land conveyed by deed is vague and uncertain, parol evidence of the intention of the parties as to the real boundaries is admissible. Parol evidence is admissible, not to contradict or vary the deed, but to identify the subject-matter.” Campbell, J., says: “ The evidence was not given to vary or contradict the deed, but to'identify the subject-matter, and to show what the grantor intended by ‘the west half of lot No. 76.’ In this view the evidence was rightly admitted. It tended to show the location and boundaries of the piece of land which the grantor intended to convey, and did convey, by the description, or rather the designation, ‘ the west half of lot No. 76.’ ” lie further added, that after that evidence was received there was a question of fact proper for the jury.

In Green v. Collins (86 N Y., 254), Pettit v. Shepard is referred to approvingly as sanctioning parol evidence to ascertain what the grantor intended by “ general designation of a particular portion ” of land conveyed.

In Barclay v. Howell's Lessee (6 Pet. [U. S.], 499) it was said, viz.: “The right of the court to decide on the legal effect.of written instruments cannot be controverted; but the question of [274]*274boundary is always a matter of fact for tbe determination of tbe jury.”

Judge McLean says in bis opinion: It is tbe province of a court to instruct tbe jury tbat they should fix tbe boundaries of tbe tract in controversy by an examination of tbe whole evidence, and tbat artificial or natural boundaries called for, control a call for course and distance. But it would withdraw tbe facts from tbe jury if tbe court were to fix the boundaries called for, and then determine on tbe legal effect of tbe instrument. * * * It is as much tbe province of a jury to determine the limits of a lot in a city or town, as tbe limits of any tract of land, however large or small. And if tbe court on a question of boundary may fix tbe limits of tbe grant, and then say what tbe legal effect of it shall be, there is-nothing left for tbe action of tbe jury.”

In Wendell v. The People (8 Wend., 190) it is said, viz.: Where there is nothing in tbe conveyance to control tbe call for course and distance, tbe land must be run according to tbe course and distance given in tbe description of tbe premises. But all grants or conveyances are supposed to be made with reference to an actual view of tbe premises by tbe parties thereto, and it is, therefore, a general rule in tbe construction uf grants, tbat both course and distance must give way to natural or artificial monuments or objects, and courses must be varied and distances lengthened or shortened, so as to conform to the natural or ascertained objects or bounds called for by tbe grant. (Dogan v. Leekright, 4 Hen. & Munf., 125; Doe v. Thompson, 5 Cow., 371; McIver's Lessee v. Walker, 4 Wheat., 444.) And any visible or defined object, fixed upon by the terms of the grant as tbe boundary or locative call of the premises, such as a marked tree or clearing, tbe corner of a lot or tbe land of another person which is certain and notorious, must be adhered to in tbe location of tbe grant, although it does not correspond with tbe course, distance or quantity, which must all give way to such known boundaries.” This case was approved and followed in White v. Williams (48 N. Y., 344).

In Brookman v. Kruzman(94 N. Y., 276), Ruger, C. J., says; Tbe long established rules with reference to tbe construction of descriptions contained in conveyances, require courts to adopt such an interpretation thereof as shall give effect to tbe instrument [275]*275according to tbe intention of the parties, if that is discoverable from legitimate sources of information. (Jackson v. Clark, 7 Johns., 217; Buffalo, W. Y. and Erie R. R. Co. v. Stigeler, 61 N. Y., 348.) In giving effect to such intention it is also their duty to reject false or mistaken particulars, provided there be enough of the description remaining to enable the land intended to be conveyed to be located. (Hathaway v. Power, 6 Hill, 454; Wendell v. People, 8 Wend., 189; Loomis v. Jackson, 19 Johns., 452.) It was said in Robinson v. Kime (70 N. Y., 154) that a conveyance is to be construed in reference to its visible locative calls, as marked or appearing upon the land, in preference to quantity, course or distance, and any particular may be rejected if inconsistent with other parts of » the description and sufficient remains to locate the land intended to be conveyed. The rule that a monument controls other portions of the description in a deed is not inflexible, when the monument is repugnant to another of' like character, or a map gives other results j the truth is to be ascertained from all the facts of the case. (Townsend v. Hayt, 51 N. Y., 656; Higinbotham v. Stoddard, 72 id., 94.) ”

Towards the close of the description in the deed under consideration words were used apparently with the intent to bound the property by surrounding objects. The language is as follows: Bounded on the west by the east line of North Main street, on the north by the above mentioned Rose property (so called), on the east by land of Henry Taylor, and on the south by north line of said Lewis street.”

It must be borne in mind that the defendant had conveyed the lot to Taylor, about four months preceding the execution of the conveyance to the plaintiff.

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Related

McIver Lessee v. Walker
17 U.S. 444 (Supreme Court, 1819)
Brookman v. . Kurzman
94 N.Y. 272 (New York Court of Appeals, 1883)
White v. . Williams
48 N.Y. 344 (New York Court of Appeals, 1872)
Pettit v. . Shepard
32 N.Y. 97 (New York Court of Appeals, 1865)
Robinson v. . Kime
70 N.Y. 147 (New York Court of Appeals, 1877)
Townsend v. . Hayt
51 N.Y. 656 (New York Court of Appeals, 1873)
Sheldon v. . Horton
43 N.Y. 93 (New York Court of Appeals, 1870)
B., N.Y. E.R.R. Co. v. . Stigeler
61 N.Y. 348 (New York Court of Appeals, 1874)
Mason v. White
11 Barb. 173 (New York Supreme Court, 1851)
Northrop v. Sumney
27 Barb. 196 (New York Supreme Court, 1858)
Doe ex dem. Arden v. Thompson
5 Cow. 371 (New York Supreme Court, 1826)
Jackson ex dem. Rogers v. Clark
7 Johns. 217 (New York Supreme Court, 1810)
Loomis v. Jackson ex dem. M'Naughton
19 Johns. 449 (New York Supreme Court, 1822)
Wendell v. Jackson ex dem. People
8 Wend. 183 (Court for the Trial of Impeachments and Correction of Errors, 1831)

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Bluebook (online)
47 N.Y. Sup. Ct. 269, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/cronk-v-wilson-nysupct-1886.