Lee v. . Johnson , 222 N.C. 161 ( 1942 )

On 29 January, 1931, plaintiffs executed and delivered to defendant Johnson a paper writing which was, on its face, a deed in fee simple, conveying the locus in quo. Under all the facts and circumstances surrounding the transaction it, in fact, constituted a mortgage to secure a debt. They surrendered possession to Johnson in the fall of 1931. On 22 November, 1934, Johnson conveyed said land by warranty deed to defendant E. A. Tart and said Tart entered into possession thereof. On 11 January, 1940, plaintiffs instituted this action for an accounting for rents and profits and to recover the realty described in the deed dated 29 January, 1931, which included a one-half acre tract not now involved in this action.

The cause was referred and the referee found that defendant Tart is an innocent purchaser for value without notice. To this finding plaintiffs do not except. He found also that Johnson is indebted to plaintiffs in the net sum of $1,100.89 and recommended judgment therefor. On appeal the court below, being of the opinion that plaintiffs' cause of action is barred by the three-year statute of limitations and by laches, entered judgment that plaintiffs recover nothing except as set forth in judgment rendered at the November Term, 1941. Plaintiffs excepted and appealed. The defendant Johnson, ostensible owner of a fee simple title, having conveyed the locus in quo to an innocent purchaser for value, plaintiffs' only remedy is by action for damages for the wrongful alienation and conversion of their land by the defendant Johnson. This action was instituted more than five years after the wrongful conversion. The ruling of the court below is sustained by Davis v. Doggett, 212 N.C. 589,194 S.E. 288. See also Ferguson v. Blanchard, 220 N.C. 1, 16 S.E.2d 414, and Massengill v. Oliver, 221 N.C. 132.

The judgment below is

Affirmed.