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6 Va. 174

Timberlake v. Graves

Supreme Court of Virginia

Decided March 11, 1818

Supreme Court of Virginia · decided 1818-03-11

IN detinue, instituted by the appellants against the appellee, it appeared from a special verdict, that the plaintiffs John Timberlake and Margaret his wife, (late Margaret Mien,) and Patsy Mien an infant by Garrett Minar her guardian, claimed the slave in the declaration mentioned, under the following clause in the last Will of Nancy Woolfolk deceased; viz; “I give unto my beloved “ nephew John Mien, the following negroes, to wit;” (inserting their names;) “ them and their…

Decided 1818-03-11

¶1March 11th, 1818, Judge Roane pronounced the Court’s opinion that the Judgment bo reversed, and entered for the defendants; for which he assigned the following reasons.

¶2The ground on which the opinion of the Courtis founded, is, that the devise over to the nieces is to them merely, and not to them and their heirs. It purports a limitation to themselves, and was intended as a personal benefit to them. This construction is fortified by the words, 44 then and in that case,” and 44 equally to he divided,” found in the bequest; which, although, singly taken, they might not be complete to limit the previous words, have that effect in conjunction with the circumstance above mentioned.

The Court

¶3has considered the authorities referred to, and is of opinion that none of them conflict with or overrule this construction.

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