¶1I cannot think the nonsuit was proper. For in .the'first place, the alienage of William Gordon was not proved by •the best evidence. It may be true that W’illiam Gordon said he vías an alien, and yet, in fact, he may not be an alien, and this was a question proper to submit to the jury. But, in the second place, even if he were an alien, his estate would not be divested until office found. This is the rule in ease of purchase, though not of descent. If an alien purchase, although the king is entitled, yet ¡the estate does not vest title office found; because, until office found, the alien is seised. 1 Com. Dig. 115. As the titles are not stated, I do not know whether this case comes under the act of 1807; but there is enough to convince me that this nonsuit -Plight to be set aside,
5 S.C.L. 245
Groves v. Gordon
Supreme Court of South Carolina
Decided November 15, 1812
Supreme Court of South Carolina · decided 1812-11-15
This was an action of trespass to try title, tried before Judge Smith, at Abbeville. The plaintiff produced a conveyance of the laud in dispute from defendant, to one William Gordon, his son ; a.nd another conveyance from William Gordon to him, the plaintiff. Defendant then proved by the declarations of William Gordon, that ■he, William Gordon, was an alien : on which his honor nonsuited .the plaintiff. Motion to set aside the nonsuit.'
Decided 1812-11-15