Wood v. Pitman Coal Co. , 90 Ky. 588 ( 1890 )

JUDGE LEWIS

DELIVERED THE. OPINION OR THE COURT.

In virtue of Ms purchase at the judicial sale in 1848 in an action of Oldham’s Administrator v. Administrator and Heirs of John Wood, and commissioner’s deed to him in 1850, Jarvis Jackson acquired absolute title to the two tracts of two hundred and ninety-one and six' hundred and fifty-two acres belonging to J ohn Wood at his death, and exercised unquestioned acts of ownership over both, having sold, previous to 1867, all of the first-named tract, and all of the other but three hundred and fifty acres, which he then conveyed to Allison M. Wood. It thus results that whatever equitable right, either A. M. Wood or appellants, the other children and heirs-at-law of John Wood, acquired to the three hundred and fifty acres now in dispute was voluntarily conveyed by Jarvis Jackson, and the only evidence the land was conveyed to A. M. Wood, or was held by him in trust for appellants, is afforded by the deed of 1867; for though John Wood, Jr., erected a building on the three hundred and fifty acres, and resided there for some time, he voluntarily abandoned the possession previous to May, 1877, when A. M. Wood conveyed the land to Gf. W. Givens, under whom appellees hold and claim.

As Grivens was purchaser for a valuable consideration, the only question in this case necessary to consider, is whether recitals in the deed from Jackson to A. M. Wood are of such character as to afford to him notice of the claim to the land now set up by appellants.

It is recited in that deed substantially that the two tracts of land were, as before-mentioned, purchased by Jackson in 1848; that he (Jackson) bid therefor on claims of Oldham’s administrator and others, and that all he desired by the purchase was to secure the claims against said land and certain unsettled claims-he held against John Wood, deceased, and aJso against said A. M. Wood, and other charges, fees and costs growing out of said suit, also against the said A. M. Wood. It is then recited that he had sold the two-hundred and ninety-one acre tract and three hundred acres of the other tract, and there was still due him of said claims about eight hundred dollars, the precise amount, however, being unknown; and then this-language occurs: “And whereas, it has always been understood and agreed between the parties hereto that when said Jackson was secured in all said sums he was to convey said land to said A. M. Wood, or so much of same as' had not been previously disposed of and whereas, said A. M. Wood claims said conveyance of that part of said land undisposed of * * allowing said Jackson to retain a lien thereon for the purpose of securing him payment of the different amounts referred to, but as they are unknown, it is agreed the lien shall be for eight hundred dollars.”

It becomes manifest upon examining the deed that at its date Jackson was not legally bound to conve3r the land to A. M. Wood or any other person, but might then, which was seventeen years after date of commissioner’s deed and nineteen years after his purchase, have held or sold it to a stranger without an3* •question of his right to do either. It further appears that he was never under either a legal or moral obligation to make the conveyance to any other person than A. M. Wood, nor for any other purpose than his individual use.

It seems to us that as there was nothing in that deed to give notice to or even put Givens on inquiry as to the equitable claim of appellants, he must be treated as a purchaser for a valuable consideration without notice, and, therefore, unaffected by the equity of appellants, even if it had existed as against A. M. Wood. It is true he was administrator of John Wood, his father, but the settlement of his accounts shows he owed the estate nothing. It further appears the deed from Jackson to him, though made in 1867, was not recorded until 1877, just before the deed from him to Givens. But that fact does not show, as suggested by counsel, any fraud, nor invalidate the title of Givens, -and much less does it strengthen the claim of appellants, for then twenty-seven years had elapsed without ■any assertion of right by them, which was prolonged to thirty-six years before they commenced this action.

There are other reasons which might be given for ¡sustaining the judgment of the lower court dismissing the action, but what has been said is enough to authorize this court to do so, and, therefore, the judgment is affirmed.