Talbot v. Copeland

38 Me. 333
Supreme Judicial Court of Maine·Decided July 1, 1854·Published

Opinion

Tenney, J.

— The demandant claims to derive title to the premises described in the writ from the representatives of the late William Bingham; and the tenants defend upon the right supposed to be acquired by them through several mesne conveyances from the same source.

The foundation of the demandant’s title is a deed to himself and one Dickinson, and is dated Eeb’y 9, 1834. This describes a “ parcel of land lying in, and being the town of Crawford in the county of Washington and State of Maine, numbered twenty, and butted and bounded as follows, viz : on the north six miles by townships numbered twenty-one and sixteen; on the east six miles by townships numbered sixteen or Alexandria, and fifteen; on the south six miles by township numbered nineteen; and on the west six miles by townships numbered twenty-five and twenty-six, containing twenty-three thousand and forty acres,” excepting therefrom certain parcels particularly described in the deed, “meaning to convey nineteen thousand five hundred and twenty acres, more or less, according to a survey and plan of said town by Rufus Putnam, surveyor,” “meaning to convey to said Dickinson and Talbot the same title which said Bingham derived from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.” No survey, plan or surveyor is otherwise referred to in the deed. And the deed from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to William Bingham refers to no survey or plan.

The title of the tenants is under a deed dated May 30th, 1844, to them of several townships, including township numbered twenty-one, reserving from the latter certain parcels specified in the deed; all containing one hundred and six thousand one hundred and twenty-three acres, more or less, according to the survey of John Peters and Addison Dodge, surveyors, “ meaning to convey the same title which the said Bingham derived from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

No controversy is made by the parties, that township No. 20, is southerly of and contiguous to No. 21; and is the [337]*337property of the demandant; and that the tenants are the owners of the latter township. It is agreed that, in the original location of the fifty townships of the east division of the lottery lands in Maine by Rufus Putnam, including those in controversy, the dividing line between Nos. 20 and 21, was not run or marked upon the earth. The true location of this dividing line is the great point in controversy.

The demandant contends, that he has exhibited proof of a line as the northern boundary of township No. 20, run by the authority of his grantors, and marked as such upon the earth, prior to the execution and delivery of their deed to him and Dickinson. This line terminating at a hemlock tree at one end, is called the hemlock tree line.

The tenants deny, that any line was run by the authority of the grantors in the deed to Dickinson and Talbot corresponding with the hemlock tree line. But they contend on the other hand, that the proprietors under whom both parties claim, did cause to be run and perfected a line as the northern boundary of No. 20, which is farther south than the one claimed by the demandant; and being indicated at one of its terminations by a pine tree marked, is called the pine tree line.

No evidence in the case shows that the hemlock tree line was extended the entire width of the range which embrace the townships Nos. 20 and 21; or that such line, so far as it was run, was made with any such design as is claimed by the demandant, any farther than the intention is manifested by the marks indicating the line. 'The surveyor, who it was attempted by the demandant to be shown run this line under the direction of the general agent of the proprietors, from whom both parties claim title, denies that he undertook to run a line at that 'place, as the boundary in question, or did in fact run wholly or partially any such line. This line not being perfect in its extent at best, and not having been proved to have been made as a boundary between Nos. 20 and 21, is disregarded.

The evidence relied upon by the tenants, to show that the [338]*338surveyor appointed under the authority of the proprietors aforesaid, did run and mark the pine tree line perfectly from one side of the township to the other, is very full and clear. But it is equally clear that this line was run after the proprietors had parted with their title in No. 20, and there being no evidence that the demandant, or any one interested in that township was a party to that survey at the time it was made, his rights cannot in any degree be affected by the location of this line. No evidence was adduced that. any other attempt had been made, which is entitled to have an influence to establish the boundary in question.

It is contended, however, by the demandant, that the proprietors at a time when the title to townships Nos. 20 and 21, and all others contiguous thereto, was in them, did acts upon the other .townships which establish the boundary between Nos. 20 and 21. An attempt was made by him to prove that the lines of township No. 16, adjoining those now owned by the parties, were run according to certain prescribed directions of the proprietors; and in doing this a certain tract called the Thatcher block, was located upon that portion of No. 16, which is represented upon the Commonwealth’s plan made by Rufus Putnam, as projecting further west than other portions of the same; and that the southern line of this block is very nearly or quite a continuation of the hemlock tree line. And it was insisted, as matter of law, that the hemlock tree line was therefore the true northern boundary of No. 20. The proprietors were at liberty to run such lines upon No. 16 as they chose to do, influenced by any motives which they might have entertained. The lines so run could have no effect beyond the object sought by them, and the results which were the necessary consequence. They could have made the location of the Thatcher block on any lands to which they had title, and such location could not be conclusive upon any question of boundary, beyond the purpose designed.

Again it is insisted, that if the proprietors, previous to the conveyance to the demandant and Dickinson, established [339]*339the south-west corner of Princeton, represented on Putnam’s plan as No. 11, of which there was evidence, the north line of No. 20 must be the same distance south of this corner which it is represented to be on the plan. The proprietors may establish monuments indicative of the boundaries of townships owned by them, and the parties to a conveyance having reference thereto will be governed by them, but they cannot necessarily have any other effect.

The monuments may be erroneously fixed, and other facts having no reference to adjoining townships, may have an important connection therewith. As in the case of the Thatcher block, the location of a monument for one purpose cannot legitimately have a controlling influence upon a question entirely distinct, and not shown at the time to exist. It is very clear, that if such lines and monuments as were attempted to have been made and fixed upon the townships and as boundaries of such townships had been proved, the legal result insisted upon would not follow; and as facts, they are in their nature inconclusive upon the question involved.

Another principle has been invoked by the parties, and each contends, that by its application, a satisfactory result may be obtained.

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Talbot v. Copeland, 38 Me. 333 (Me. 1854).

38 Me. 333 (Talbot v. Copeland) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.