Brewton v. Watson’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

9 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 9 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““It [the instrument] is signed by both parties, and is without a word of grant or conveyance. Taking the whole instrument together, the conclusion is irresistible that a covenant, upon the performance of which Mrs. Watson, during the life of Mrs. Browning, would be entitled to possession and to the rents and profits of the premises, and having performed, on the death of Mrs. Browning, should be entitled to the title, was intended, and not a grant or conveyance of the title [in presentí] to take effect in futuro. There can be no valid and operative conveyance of lands without some words of grant, or alienation. . Formal, technical words are not necessary; and when an intent that the estate shall pass is manifested, its words will, if possible, be so construed that it shall take effect. But the want of words cannot be supplied. * * * These are words of covenant, of contract, not of conveyance.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Long v. Holden