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9 S.C. Eq. 23

Young v. Dinkins

Court of Appeals of South Carolina · decided 1831-05-15

Before Johnston, Ch. at Sumter, February, 1831. Johnston, Ch. The only question submitted in this case arises on the following facts.- Wm. Wright, on the 5th of January, 1808, made his will and died the same year.

Decided 1831-05-15

¶1The opinion of the Court was delivered by

O’Neall, J.

¶2In this case we concur in the decision of the Chancellor.

¶3In the Cases of Young and Lenoir vs. Sylvester (1 Bail. 632), it’ was decided that the executory devise of freedom to, the slaves now in dispute after the death of Mrs. Wright'was void, and that they reverted to the estate of the testator at her death. This interest in the testator, or rather in his executors, or administrators, might have passed under the residuary clause of his will, if there had been any, sufficiently comprehensive to pass it. In the absence of any such clause,, he must be regarded as having died intestate as to it, and it is distributable under the Act of distributions. It is perfectly immaterial in. this point of view, whether at the death of the testator, the devise of freedom might have been executed, and subsequently became unlawful, and -therefore, impossible to be executed. It was contingent, and might or might not take effect, and until the actual emancipation took place, the right of property remained in the legal representatives of the testator. The remainder or reversion after the death of his wife, was part of his estate, and upon the executory devise over becoming impossible, that remainder or reversion was undisposed of by his will, and was distributable among his-distributees entitled to distribution at his death.

¶4It is, therefore, ordered and decreed, that the decree of Chancellor Johnston be affirmed.

Johnson and Harper,-JJ. concurred.

¶5Decree affirmed■

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