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1 Stew. 229

Gillespie v. Dew

Supreme Court of Alabama

Decided July 15, 1827

Supreme Court of Alabama · decided 1827-07-15

In Greene Circuit Court, James Gillespie declared in trespass against Duncan Dew that, the defendant broke and entered his close, and cut down and carried away sundry timber trees, &c. General issue. Verdict and judgement for defendant. On the trial the plaintiff proved title to the land, and that the defendant had cut timber thereon and carried it away, while the plaintiff was so entitled. It was proved that the plaintiff resided about twenty miles from the land.

Cited by 3 later decisions — most recently January 1857

3 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1827-07-15

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JUDGE WHITE

¶1delivered the opinion of the Court,

¶2The. charge was in accordance with the English authorities, and with the decisions in some of the States of the Union. But in North Carolina, New-Yorlc and Connecticut,-it has been held that, where there is no adverse possession, he who has title, though he has never been in actual possession, may maintain the action of trespass.

¶3The situation of,our country requires this modification of the English doctrine. In England, almost all the lands are occupied, but here, the proprietor often lives at a great distance from some of his lands which are not occupied by tenants, and unless they can maintain this action, they must be denied an important remedy for injuries to their property. Their right to this remedy is sustained by the strong argument of convenience, and by the respectable authorities referred to by the counsel for the plaintiff.

¶4We are of opinion that, where there is no adverse possession, the title draws with it constructive possession, so as to sustain the action of trespass. Let the judgement be reversed and the cause be remanded.

Judge Gayle not sitting.
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