Jackson ex dem. Colden v. Agan

1 Johns. 273

• Court: New York Supreme Court
• Decided: May 15, 1806
• Status: Published

Opinion

Thompson, J.

The questions involved in this case are substantially the same, as in the preceding. The lease here was only for 135 acres of land, which according to my construction of the lease, will admit of only one tenant or occupant. Instead of which it appears, that the lessee, during his life time, occupied and improved a part of the farm, and, at the same time, his son Benjamin lived upon and improved a separate and distinct part ; and that the present defendant has, since the death of the original lessee, permitted one Filkins to occupy a part of the premises, contrary to the condition of the lease. I am of opinion, therefore, that a new trial ought also to be granted in this case,

Kent, C. J.

Admitting that the lessee’s son Benjamin was a tenant within the meaning of the condition, the question will be whether the lessee might not take one tenant or family on to the premises, considering there, were 35 acres granted beyond the 100 ? Unless we admit this construe-**on’ covenant is in a great degree senseless. Why say that there shall not be but one tenant to 100 acres, if the meaning was that the lessee or his assignee could, alone occupy the premises ? The language of the covenant evidently points to more than one occupant, for the lessee was not to permit more than one family to 100 acres. I am of opinion, accordingly, that the covenant in this case will admit of the construction of two tenants residing on, or occupying the 135 acres, and that the motion to set aside the nonsuit^ Ought be denied.

Tompkins, J. Spencer, J. and Livingston, J. corn curred.

Rule refused.