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26 Mass. 35

Nye v. Drake

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Decided October 15, 1829

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · decided 1829-10-15

This was a writ of entry. The case was submitted on an agreed statement of facts. The demanded premises are a part of a farm in Middleborough, of which Japhet Le Baron died seised.

Decided 1829-10-15

Per Curiam.

¶1Undoubtedly the return is bad, as it does not appear that Gammons was chosen an appraiser by any party. The officer probably made a mistake, which perhaps might be corrected.

¶2But upon another ground the return is insufficient. If the words of the will are rightly quoted in the facts agreed, we think one half of the farm was devised in severalty to one brother, and the other half in like manner to the other. There are no words signifying a tenancy in common ; such as in quan tity and quality —share and share alike— equally to be divided, &c. but the northwardly half is given to the one, and the southwardly half to the other. Nothing remained but to ascertain the dividing line geographically by a survey and measurement. The one had no interest in the northerly and the other none in the southerly part ; so that they were not seised under the will per mie et per tout, as tenants in common. It follows that the levy under which the tenant to the writ claims, is void, the levy being as upon a tenancy in common, and the demandant must have judgment.1

¶3 See Revised Stat. c. 73, § 5.

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