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18 Me. 39

Cochrane v. Libby

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

Decided April 15, 1841

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine · decided 1841-04-15

<p>Where the demandant claimed dower in a tract of land whereof her late husband was in possession, and on which one of his creditors levied an execution as his properly during the coverture, and where the tenant showed no title but under such levy; it 'teas held, that there was sufficient evidence of a seizin in foe in the husband to maintain the action.</p> <p>Reputation in the family of the death of the husband, is prima, facie evidence of the fact in an action for dower.</p> <p>In such action, if adultery of the demandant be relied upon as a bar to her claim, the tenant is bound to prove the fact affirmatively.</p> <p>Proof of the second marriage of the demandant within three years of the time of his leaving home, but after there was a reputation in the family of the death of her husband, without showing that he was then alive, does not furnish sufficient evidence that she was guilty of adultery.</p>

Decided 1841-04-15

¶1The opinion of the Court was drawn up by

Weston C. J.

¶2The case finds the husband to have been in

¶3possession of the laud, wherein the demandant claims dower. Certain of his creditors levied upon it as an estate in fee; and such an *42estate is now claimed by the tenant, under a title depending upon these levies. In the absence of any conflicting proof, we regard this, as against the tenant, evidence of a seizin in fee of the husband.

¶4The jury have found the death of the husband from competent proof. Reputation, in the family, of his death, is evidence of the fact, prima facie. The second marriage of the demandant is relied upon, as evidence of adultery. If this is a bar to her claim, and set up as such, the tenant is bound to prove the fact affirmatively. This he has not done. The second marriage was after there was a reputation, in the family, of the death of the first husband. As the jury have found this fact, her subsequent connection was not adulterous, but lawful.

¶5 Judgment on the verdict.

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