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4 Va. 325

Marsteller v. Coryell

Supreme Court of Virginia

Decided February 15, 1833

Supreme Court of Virginia · decided 1833-02-15

This was an appeal from a judgement of the district court held at Hay Market, rendered in May 1808. The cause had remained in this court, neglected by the parties, ever since until this term. It was an action of trespass quare clausum, fregit, brought by Marsteller and wife and others against Coryell, for a trespass on a half acre lot of land in the town of Alexandria. The defendant pleaded the general issue.

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently December 1953

1 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1833-02-15

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Tucker, P.

¶1The trustees of the town of Alexandria conveyed the premises in question to Janies M'Leod, who died leaving Robert M’Leod bis heir at law; he conveyed to Richard Arell, who died leaving the plaintiffs his heirs at law. Thus, the title is complete. Arell had received possession from a purchaser by verbal contract under James M’Leod, held possession for many years, without interruption, till his death, and died in possession. Coryell took possession a year afterwards; which was the trespass complained of. The point on which the district court decided the cause, was, doubtless, that there was no entry by ArelVs heirs after his death; for until entry, the heir cannot maintain trespass against an intruder. But, as there is proof that Arell died in possession, we think that, on a demurrer to evidence, an actual possession in his heirs eo instante that he died, may fairly be presumed; and, therefore, that the plaintiffs were entitled to recover in this action.

¶2Judgement reversed, and judgement entered for the appellants.

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