Huntington v. Gilmore

14 Barb. 243, 1852 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 131

Opinion

By the Court, Hand, J.

Twenty-two days before the death of the plaintiff’s testator, and during his last illness, he conveyed to one of the defendants the farm on which she and her husband, the other defendant, then lived. After executing the deed, he stated that there was personal property on the premises, that was of no use to him and never would be; and one witness says, he said “ he would give it to her,” and another, “ I will give it to you.” Most of the property in controversy was then on that farm; and I think the important question in the case is, was this a valid gift of at least that part of it 1 Ás I view this case, it seems unncessary to consider whether this, if a gift at all, he a donation mortis causa or inter vivos ; for it is well settled that both require delivery. I am aware that some cases and expressions in the books seem to favor the position, that a gift may be valid without delivery, particularly, where the property is distant, as between the donee and a third person. (Hudson v. Hudson, Lut. 214. 16 Vin. 458. Flower’s case, Noy, 67. Note to 1 C. B. 382. Willey v. Bower, Clayt. 135. 14 Vin. 19. B. N. P. 135. F. N. B. 91, D. 1 Chit. Gen. Pr. 104. Spratley v. Wilson, Holt’s N. P. 10, and reporter’s note. Dunwich v. Sterry, 1 Barn. & Ad. 831. 2 Saund. R. 47 c, note d. Coke’s remark in Wortes v. Clifton, 1 Roll. R. 61.) But there can be no doubt at this day,' that both gifts, inter vivos and causa mortis, if by parol, require delivery. (Noble v. Smith, 2 John. 52. Harris v. Clark, 3 Comst. 93. S. C. 2 Barb. S. C. R. 94. Grangiac v. Arden, 10 John. 293. Craig v. Craig, 3 Barb. Ch. 77. Irons v. Smallpiece, 2 B. & Ald. 551. Ward v. Turner, 2 Ves. sen. 431. Roberts on Frauds, 296, note. Hawkins v. Blewitt, 2 Esp. Rep. 663. Jones v. Selby, Prec. in Ch. 300. Bunn v. Markham, 7 Taunt. 225. Reddell v. Dobere, 10 Sim. 244. Byron v. Brownrigg, 9 Ves. 1. Tate v. Hibbert, 2 Ves. jun. 120. Antrobus v. Smith, 12 Ves. 39, and Perkin’s note. 2 Kent, 438 et seq. 1 Stor. Eq. Jur. § 606 et seq. Chitty on Cont. 52. Plowd. 12.) It has been said that a gift by deed may be valid without delivery. (Chitty on Cont. 52. And see remarks of Maule, J. in Lunn v. Thornton, 1 C. B. 381, and reporter’s note; Abbott, C. J. in Irons v. Smallpiece, supra; Ward v. Audland, 16 M. & W. 871; Coteen v. Missing, 1 Mad. R. 276. 2 Kent, 438; Antrobus v. Smith, supra; Edward v. Jones, supra. Lawson v. Lawson, 1 P. Wm. 441; Price v. Price, 8 Eng. L. and Eq. Rep. 271.) But there is no pretense of a written conveyance of this property. A donation mortis causa is, in some respects, in the nature of a legacy. But it must be delivered to the donee or some person for him, by the donor, and not by his executor or administrator, and there must be a continuing possession. The gift must also be made in expectation of death; and be conditional, depending upon the event of the death of the donor; and be revocable by the donor during life; and is a gift only upon a survivorship; and is Hable to the debts of the donor., It, in fact, leaves the title in the donor; save only in a certain event. (Walter v. Hodge, 2 Swanst. 98. Blount v. Burrow, 1 Vesey, jun. 547, and Hoveden & Sumner’s notes. Tate v. Hilbert, 2 Id. 111. 8 Petersd. 464, n. Hills v. Hills, 8 M. & W. 401. 1 Kent, 444 et seq. 1 Chitt. Gen. Pr. 104. Edwards v. Jones, 1 My. & Cr. 221. Wells v. Tucker, 3 Binn. 336. Moore v. Darton, 7 Eng. L. and Eq. R. 134. And see, as to civil law, Inst. 271; Domat. p. 1, B. 1, tit. 10.) Perhaps if this had been a valid gift mortis causa, it would have been avoided by the will subsequently made. (Jones v. Selby, supra. Hambrooke v. Simmons, 4 Russ. 25. 1 Chit. Gen. Pr. 105. And see 2 R. S. 60, § 22; Id. 64, §§ 42, 48.) Though the legacy was to the same person; and besides, the case did not necessarily turn on that point, in Jones v. Selby; and Hambrooke v. Simmons leaves the matter in doubt.

Delivery being essential, was it proved ? or should the evidence upon that subject have been submitted to the jury 1 The defendants contend that, as they were in use of the property, and in the possession of the farm, of which the testator had just executed a deed to Mrs. Gilmore, no further delivery was necessary. The case shows that the testator owned the farm; that the defendants, husband and wife, resided upon it, but upon what terms they occupied the farm, or used the personalty, (if at all,) is not stated. The fair intendment from the testimony, perhaps, is, that Gilmore, the husband, occupied it in some way, under the deceased. A few weeks before, Gilmore disclaimed any ownership of the farm or personal property, and was, probably, in possession as a servant of the deceased. If he was a tenant from year to year of the farm, even though Mrs. Gilmore should be considered as sole owner thereof, under the statutes for the protection of the property of married women, (Laws of 1848, ch. 200; Laws of 1849, ch. 375,) she can hardly be said to have been put into actual possession by the deHvery of the deed. But considering her to have been in possession of the farm constructively, or as matter of law, by virtue of the deed, there was no sufficient delivery of the property in question to support a gift, either inter vivos or in prospect of death. There was no actual change of possession. Had the title to the personalty passed by the gift, the possession, at least constructively, might have followed. But that legal intendment is a consequence of title, and does not create it. The property was several miles distant, and there was no act; nothing but words. Even had it been in sight, words would not have transferred possession. (Shindler v. Houston, 1 Comst. 261, and cases there 'cited.) Merely saying “ I give,” without any act or writing, does not transfer property. (Tate v. Hibbert, 2 Ves. jun. 120, per Ld. Rossyln. Hedges v. Hedges, Prec. in Ch. 269. Gardner v. Parker, 3 Mad. Rep. 184.) Much less, “ 1 will give.” There must be some actual tradition, or physical dominion. The circumstances of the case of Shower v. Pilch were similar to this case, though perhaps more favorable to the donee. (4 Exch R. 478.) It was decided in the English court of exchequer in 1849, and illustrates the rule above stated, and also shows that these words are not words of a gift in presentí. The case was trover for silver plate. The plaintiff’s testator, while residing with the defendant, his daughter-in-law, who then had possession of the plate in question, said to her, “ I will give you all the plate that-is mine.” There was no actual delivery. At the trial, Wilde, chief justice of the common pleas, held that a mere verbal gift, without delivery, did not transfer the property,- and the court of exchequer affirmed his decision. The two judges who gave opinions also intimate that the words were in the future tense.

As we have seen, a donation mortis causa is liable for the debts of the donor. And the executor and administrator is now considered also the representative of the creditor. (Babcock v. Booth, 2 Hill, 181.) But the plaintiff has not shown a deficiency of assets. However, on the other point, the case seems to be with the plaintiff.

There has been some difference of opinion as to the extent of the liability of the wife for torts committed with, or in presence of her husband. And it has been said, that if a tort be committed in the company of the husband, he alone is liable. (2 Kent, 149.) That “ if goods be delivered to husband and wife, no action of detinue lies against them both, for these, but against the husband alone.” (Doddridge, J., in Isaac v. Clarke, 2 Bulstr. 308. 3 B. & Ald. 689, n. a. And see 2 Saund. R. 47, t, n. 1, 6th ed.; 1 Chit. Pl. 80, 113.) And, as a general rule, if the wife acquires goods, they immediately become the property of the husband; and a conversion of the goods of another, is considered to his use. And it is said, she cannot possess personal property. (Clancy's Rights of Mar. Women, 1 et seq. Co. Lift. 351, b. Blanchard v. Blood, 2 Barb. 352.) And if the conversion of goods be the joint act of them both, the conversion is held, in law, to be the act of the husband only. (2 Saund. R. 47, t, note. Draper v. Fulkes, Yelv. 165; S.C. 4 Vin. 188. And see Bing, on Cov. 255, n. 257; 4 Vin. 197.) On the other hand, it has been held that an action of trespass would lie against both, although a conversion to their own use was also alledged. (2 Saund. R. 48, t, n.) And that a declaration in trover against them jointly, charging a conversion to their own use, was good after verdict. (Keyworth v. Hill, 3 B. & Ald. 685.) And that an action of trespass would lie against them for a joint act. (Vine v. Saunders and wife, 4 Bing. N. Cas. 96.) And the wife may be convicted of a crime, though committed in the presence of her husband, notwithstanding the presumption of law in her favor on the ground that she is sub poiestate viri. (1 Russ, on Cr. 18, 20.) But it is not clear that an action of replevin in the detinet will lie against the wife, where the detention is in fact the joint act of both, as in this case, as appears by the verdict. (See Harvey v. Gulston, Noy, 107; 4 Vin. 195.) Probably the acts of 1848, (ch. 200,) and 1849, (ch. 375,) do not affect the case; because, in truth, the wife had no title; and again, there was no allegation in the pleadings that she held the property to her sole and separate use; nor was the pretended gift on those terms. However, no exception appears to have been taken at the trial on this point of the wife’s joint liability.

[Bolton General Term, September 6, 1852.

Hand, Cady and C. L. Allen, Justices.]

A new trial should be denied.