Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

66 Md. 565

Robertson v. Mowell

Court of Appeals of Maryland

Decided February 18, 1887

Court of Appeals of Maryland · decided 1887-02-18

Robertson, trustee, for the purpose of ascertaining the true construction of the sixth clause of the second codicil of the will of the late Ella Y. Davis, which contains the following provision: “ If my brother Joseph, should desire to move upon my farm, my trustee is to give to him all the stock, implements, &c., necessary to carry on the farm, which he, Joseph may select, otherwise, my trustee may sell all the farming implements, horned cattle, horses, mules and other…

Cited by 3 later decisions — most recently May 1956

3 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1887-02-18

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

Robinson, J.,

¶1delivered the opinion of the Court.

¶2The testatrix devised to her brother, Joseph W. Mowell for life the farm on which she lived, known as “Ellen-ham;” and should he desire to move upon the farm, she directed her trustee to give him the stock, implements, &c., necessary to carry on the farm, the same to be selected by him.

¶3The testatrix died 28th February, 1881, and her brother Joseph, died 5th December following.

¶4It is doubtful, to say the least, whether her brother ever intended to move upon the farm. To some of the witnesses he at various times said, that nothing could induce him to live on the place — that he would die in two weeks of the blues and horrors ; while to others he expressed an intention of moving upon it, so soon as he could make the necessary and proper arrangements. He never did, however, move upon it, nor did he take possession of it, nor did he make any selection of the stock, implements, &c., necessary to carry on the farm. Both the farm and the personal property on it, including the stock, &c., were, upon the death of the testatrix, claimed by her husband, ■and the stock and implements, &c., were, pending the litigation, placed in the possession of Henderson, an employe of Joseph Mowell.

¶5Now, although the language of the will is, “if my brother Joseph should desire to move upon my farm; my trustee is to give to him all the stock, implements, &c., necessary to carry on the farm,” it is clear the testatrix meant to give him the stock, &c., provided he did in fact move upon it, because in that event he would need them to cultivate it — otherwise she directed the stock, &c., to be sold by her trustee, and the proceeds of sale to be held subject to the trust declared in the will.

¶6Inasmuch then as her brother did not move on the farm, and did not make a selection of the stock and implements, *568&c., we are of opinion that said property constitutes part-of the trust estate of the testatrix.

(Decided 18th February, 1887.)

¶7The decree below will be reversed and the cause remanded.

¶8Decree reversed, and cause remanded.

/66/md/565 · .json · Public domain