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1 S.C.L. 364

Thompson v. Bullock

Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas

Decided April 15, 1794

Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas · decided 1794-04-15

TRESPASS to try title to 800 acres of land on Pacolet fiver* Ramsay stated that the plaintiff claimed the premises in question, under conveyances from a certain James Huey, ^ate answered, that although an deed thirty years’ standing might, under some circumstances, be read in proof; yet it was only where possession had gone along with it; and that it was necessary to prove such possession before the deed could be read.

Decided 1794-04-15

Bay, J.

¶1The fee of the land in dispute has been regularly traced from Clark to Huey, and from Huey to Thompson. On the part of the defendant two titles have been set up s First, a sheriff’s sale to Knuckles; secondly, a deed from Huey to Knuckles. The court has already given an opinion on this sheriff’s sale. No proof is now before the court respecting it: the jury, of course, can take no notice of it. With respect to the deed from Huey to Knuckles, it is clear law, that if he was under age at the time the deed was made, it is good for nothing. This must depend, however, upon the nature of the testimony given. It is a matter of fact for the consideration of the jury. But if they believe the witnesses on that head, there can be very little difficulty about it, as they all are clear that he was under age when this deed was made. But admitting that Huey was of age at the time this deed or bond was given, it has appeared in evidence that, after the death of old Knuckles, he made another deed of this land to the plaintiff, Thompson, by the consent and approbation of young Knuckles, heir at law of his father, who delivered him up his bond or deed to his father. And this last deed to Thompson is first on record ; and, consequently, will have a preference, under the act to prevent deceits by double conveyances, &c. As to the possession on the part of Major Bullock, which the defendant lastly relied on, it was not carried further back than the year 1773, and therefore cannot avail him i for it will not give him five *368years’ peaceable enjoyment (the time required in the statute) previous to the 1st of January, 1775.

¶2Verdict for plaintiff, Si. with costs.

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