Executors if they have no further Authority or Interest than only to sell the Land and distribute the money for then the Frank-Tenement doth descend to the Heir and the Executors are bound to perform the Devise in convenient time But if the money for the same be to be distributed in pios usus then the Frank-Tenement is in the Executors after the death of the Testator and not in the Heir So that in such Case he may not Enter as in the former Yea if Lands Devised to be sold be not accordingly so done by the Executors the Law will then enforce them to sell the Lands so soon as they can because the mean Profits in that Case taken before Sale are not Assets to charge the Executors as compellable to pay debts of the same But if a man Devise that his Executors shall sell his Land there they may sell it at any time for that they have but a bare and naked Power and no Profit 4. If many Executors be named in a Will wherein Power is given to them to sell Land for any purpose and some of these Executors refuse the Executorship In this Case the other Executors who stand to the Will may dispose and sell the Land without the consent of the other who so refused the Executorship But Note That an Executors Executor cannot sell the Land of the first Testator who by his Will gave Power to his Executor to sell the same unless there be a Co-Executor surviving 5. Although the surviving Executor may sell the Land which a Testator doth bequeath to his Executors to be Sold because as the State so the Trust shall survive yet in case the Executors in that part of the Will impowering them to Sell be particularly Named each by his particular Name and one of them refuse and dye before Sale made then the Survivors cannot sell the same because the words of the Testator one of the Executors refusing or being dead cannot be satisfied unless the Testator express in his Will a Power to the Survivors or Survivor of them or to such or so many of them as take upon them the Probate of the Will without which words the Executors being particularly Named it is otherwise But if the Land to be Sold be left to his Executors generally not particularizing their Names then Sale made by some of them only in this Case is good for that now by the Statute of 21 H. 8. cap. 4. it is Provided That where Lands be Willed to be sold by Executors though part of them refuse yet the residue may sell But here Note That they may not sell to him that so refused because he is yet a party and privy to the Last Will and remains an Executor still so long as any Co-Executor lives For it was the Opinion of the c. Note that by the Opinion of the Justices if a man makes his Last Will and Wills that his Executors shall sell his Land and Devises his Land to his Executors to be sold and one of the Executors refuse the Administration of the Testators Goods before the Ordinary the other Executors cannot sell the said Land to the Executor so refusing the Administration by the Statute 21 H. 8. cap. 4. For that Executor notwithstanding such his refusal is still a party and privy to the said Testament and is one of the Executors at his pleasure It was adjudged in B. R. between Vincent and Lee where a man devised That his Sons in Law should sell the Reversion of his Land without mentioning their particular Names if some of them dye that the others may sell Upon a special Verdict the Case was A man seised of Lands in Possession and of other Lands in Reversion upon an Estate for life Deviseth by his Will in writing That his Executors should have all his Lands Free and Customary in D. for Ten Years to perform his Will and the Will of his Father with the Profits thereof and that after the Ten Years his Executors or any of them should sell it for the payment of his Debts He makes Three Executors and dies The one dies the Ten Years expire Tenant for Life dies the Two surviving Executors sell the Land c. Spurling This Sale is not good 1. The Reversion of the Estate for Life passed not because he had other Lands there to satisfie the words and it was not his intent to pass it because there were not any Profits to be taken thereby 2. The Sale by the Two surviving Executors is not good for it ought to have been by all or by one of them only But the Court resolved to the contrary in both wherefore it was adjudged accordingly The same Case is Reported by Anderson thus viz. J. T. brought Ejectione Firmae against J. W. and others The Defendants pleaded Non Culp whereupon Special Verdict was given the which in effect was That one Smith being seised of Twenty Acres of Land made a Lease thereof to one for Life and being also seised of Sixty other Acres made his Will in manner following viz. I Will and Charge my Executors and every of them to fulfill my Fathers Will and this my Last Will in which were divers Legacies In Consideration whereof I give all my Lands and Tenements to my Executors and they to take the Profits thereof by the space of Ten Years and those Ten Years ended I will the same to be sold by my said Executors or by one of them And made Three Executors and died after the Tenant for life died one of the Executors died also The Two Executors Enter on the Sixty Acres and receive the Profits thereof for Ten Years but Entered not on the Twenty Acres but after the Ten Years ended the surviving Executors sold the Twenty Acres to J. H. who Entered and Leased the same whereon the Action is brought It was said That the Executors did not Sell but it was adjudged that the surviving Executors might Sell For it appeared that the Intention of the Testator was That the Land should be sold for the performance of his Will which the surviving Executors might Execute and consequently do what the Testator appointed in order thereunto CHAP. XXVIII Of Debts Legacies and Mortuaries and the Executors method in the payment thereof 1. Debts to be paid before Legacies 2. The Executor may pay himself first 3. What Debts to the Crown shall have priority of payment before Debts to the Subject 4. Judgements upon Record to be satisfied next after the Debts due to the Crown 5. Next after Judgements upon Record Debts by Statutes or Recognizances are payable before meer Personal Debts 6. After Statutes and Recognizances Debts due by Obligations or penal or single Bills are to have the next precedency in payment 7. Debts upon Specialties Bonds and Bills are to be satisfied before Debts upon a simple Contract 8. After Obligations Debts due upon simple Bills Merchants Books and other Specialties are
of Succession distinguish thus viz. Either he hath only Brothers of the whole Blood or only such Brothers Children or he hath Brothers by the half Blood or such Brothers Children In the first case the Brothers only succeed in the second case only the Brothers Children in the third case the half Brothers and such Brothers Children succeed equally according to their Stock or Root not according to the number of their persons Likewise if one dye leaving one Brother and three Children of another Brother deceased of the whole Blood the Brother alone shall have as formerly declared as much as the said three Children and these do succeed exclusively to all other collateral Kindred Also Brothers of the half Blood do exclude other collaterals Ascendent as Uncles Aunts whether by the Father or the Mothers side and that without distinction of Sex But put case a man dies without Children or Parents leaving one Brother by the Fathers side only another Brother by the Mothers side only for instance A man having had two Wives and a Son by each dies and the second Wife takes another Husband having a Son by him then if the Son by the second Wife of the first Husband dies he leaves a Brother of the half Blood by the Father and a Brother of the half Blood by the Mother In this case the Civil Law sayes that the Brother by the Fathers side shall succeed in the Goods that came by the Father and he by the Mothers side in the Goods which came by the Mother and both of them equally as to all Goods otherwise acquired but our Law knows no such distinction for they shall succeed equally being equal in degree and equal in Blood because by Marriage all was invested in the Father THE Orphans Legacy The Third Part. OF Legacies and Devises THE CONTENTS OF THE CHAPTERS of the Third Part. Â Chap. OF Legacies and Devises in General 1. Of Devisors and Devises or Legataries 2. Of Words and Expressions sufficient for Legacies 3. Of Conditions and their Resemblances incident unto Legacies 4. Of the several Marks and Kinds of Conditions and Questions in Law touching the same 5. What things are Devisables by Will and whether a Testator may Bequeath what is not his own 6. Of Lands Devisable by Will 7. Certain cases touching Devises of Lands void or not void 8. Certain Cases touching Devises of Land in Fee-simple 9. Certain Cases touching Devises of Land by way of Entail 10. Certain Cases in Law touching Devises of Land for Life only 11. Certain Cases in the Law touching Devises of Leases or for a Term of Years 12. Law Cases touching Devises of Reversions or Remainders 13. Touching Devises of Lands with Limitations and upon Conditions 14. Touching Devises of Rents 15. Of Devises touching the Sale of Lands by Executors or others 16. Of Legacies and Devises in respect of Marriages as also between Husband and Wife 17. Of Legacies and Devises to a Child in the Womb. 18. Certain Cases of Devises touching Lands and Real Chattels 19. Cases in the Law touching Legacies of Chattels Personall 20. Of Legacies touching Goods in Generall also what is to be understood under that Notion of Goods and what by Moveables and Immoveables 21. Law Cases touching Money Bequeathed by the Testator 22. Of Legacies relating to Debts with certain cases in the Law touching the same 23. Touching Election in point of Legacies to whom The Election of a Legacy expressed with too much Generality or Dubiety belongs whether to the Executor or to the Legatary with certain cases in the Law touching the same 24. When and how Legacies are null or become void or voidable with certain cases in the Law touching the same 25. Certain Positions or Assertions of Law for the better understanding of this Subject of Legacies and Devises with certain mixt cases touching the same 26. THE ORPHANS LEGACY The THIRD PART OF Legacies Devises CHAP. I. Of Legacies and Devises in General 1. What a Legacie or Devise is 2. What are the Requisites to the making of a good Devise 3. Whether is more Considerable as to Legacies the Time of making the Testament or of the Testators death 4. In what Court Legacies and Devises are properly Recoverable 1. A Legacy called a Devise at the Common Law is some particular thing or things given or left either by a Testator in his Testament wherein an Executor is appointed to be paid or performed by his Executor or by an Intestate in a Codicil or Last Will wherein no Executor is appointed to be paid or performed by an Administrator The Word Devise is specially appropriated to a Gift of Lands The Word Legacy to a Gift of Chattels though both are used promiscuously For a Devise is said to be where a Man in his Testament giveth or bequeatheth his Goods or his Lands to another after his decease Observe it is formerly said That a Legacy is a particular thing given by last Will and Testament For if a man dispose or transfer his whole Right or Estate upon another That according to the Civil Law is called Haereditas and he to whom it is so transferr'd is termed Haeres but at Common Law he is the Heir to whom all a mans Lands and Herediditaments do descend by right of Blood And by the same Law the Word Devise from the French Deviser is properly attributed to him that bequeaths his Goods by his last Will or Testament in writing the Reason being for that those Goods that now appertain only to the Devisour are by this act distributed and divided into many parts 2. To the giving of Legacies or to the making of a good and sufficient Devise there are several things Required The Person of the Devisor must be Legally qualified to Devise the thing Devised must be such as is Legally Devisable The Devisor at the time of making the Devise must have Animum Testandi That the Devisee or Legatary be in his Person such as is capable of taking by way of Devise That there be no Co-action on the Testator but that his Will be free and independent without fear force or flattery or other Sinister Contrivances That the Devise be made in that due manner and form as it ought to be That the thing Devised be Devised upon none other then if any Lawful Terms and Conditions That the words of the Devise be such as do clearly declare the Mind and Intention of the Devisor That Probate be made of the Testament after the Devisors death And in case it be of Land then that the Devisor be solely seized thereof in a Fee-simple Estate and not joyntly with another and that the Testament wherein such Devise of Land is be made in writing 3. To find out the Testators mind and meaning which is the very Index of the Testament the time of making thereof is regularly more considerable in point of Legacies then the Time of the Testators death
a Disseisor Devise the Land he hath gotten by Disseizin this Devise as to the Disseizee is void Likewise if a Man be Disseized of his Land so that he hath nothing but a Right thereof left and then he Devise this Right or the Land this Devise is also void So if one Contract for Land and pay his Money for the same but hath no Assurance made him of the Land and he Devise the same to another such Devise cannot be good yet possibly he that received the Money may be compellable in a Court of Equity to Assure and Settle the Land according to the Devise Likewise if one Devise another Mans Land such Devise is void but if after such Devise made he Purchase this Land and die without Revocation now is that Devise good Also if A. Bargain and Sell Land to B. on Condition of Re-entry if he pay to B. Twenty Pounds and B. Covenants that he will not take the Profits until default of Payment and A. make a Lease of Seven Years thereof to another and after break the Condition in this case B. may Devise the Land and the Devise will be good 3. If one Devise his Land to the Children of A. B. by this Devise the Children that A. B. hath at the Time of the Devise made or at most at the Time of the Testators death and not such as shall be Born after his death shall take by that Devise and have the Land Also if a Devise of Lands or Goods be made to the Heirs of A. B. he then and at the Time of the Testators death being alive this Devise is void because the person to whom a Devise is made must be capable of the Devise by that Name by which the Devise is made to him when there is no other description whereby to infer the Testators meaning yet if Lands or Goods be Devised to the Executors of A. B. and he die before the Testator and make Executors This is a good Devise to such Executors or if a Man make a Feofment of his Land to the use of his last Will and then Devise that his Feoffees shall be Seized to the use of B. C. This is a good Devise of the Land per intentionem Also a Devise of Land to one paying so much a Year to another with a Clause of Distress upon failure of Payment is a good Devise but a Warranty cannot be made by a a Will Yet if Land be Devised for Life or in Tail Reserving a Rent in this case the Devisors Heirs shall be bound to the Warranty in Law and the Devisee shall take advantage thereof Also a Devise of Land may be made to one and a Devise of a Rent out of the same Land to another in the same Will and both stand good Likewise Land may be Devised to one in Fee and after the same Land in the same Will may be Devised to another for Life or for Years and both these Devises may be good and may well consist together 4. In like manner if a Man in the former part of his Will Devise all his Lands by general words to one in Fee and in the latter part of his Will Devise some special part thereof unto another in Fee Both these Devises are good and may stand together that is The former Devise is good for as much as is not afterwards more specially Devised notwithstanding the Subsequent Specification and the latter is good for so much as is so specially Devised notwithstanding the precedent general Disposition It is otherwise when the general Clause comes last for then the first Devise is void So also it is supposed to be where both the Devises are particular that then the first Devise is void As suppose a Man doth first in his Will Devise Long-acre to A. and his Heirs afterwards in the same Will he doth Devise the same Land to B. and his Heirs in this case some have held the first Devise to A. is void which others have denyed holding that both the Devises are good and that A. and B. in this case shall be Joynt-Tenants 5. If a Man Devise the Use Profits or Occupation of his Land by this Devise the Land it self is Devised Or if a Man Devise only the Profits of his Land this is a Devise of the Land it self For Lands will pass by words in a Will which will not pass by the same words in a Deed but whatsoever will pass by any Words in a Deed will pass by the same Words in a Will The Reason is because Wills are always more favourably interpreted than Deeds and there is good Reason for that also If a Man says in his Will I give all my Land or all my Tenements to A. B. he shall have not only all the Lands whereof the Devisor is Sole Seized but also all the Lands whereof he is Seized in Common or Co-parcenary with another and not only all the Lands he hath in possession but also the Lands he hath in Reversion of any Estate he hath in Fee-simple But if he say I give all my Lands in Possession only then the Lands he hath in Reversion are excluded out of that Devise 6. If a Man Seized of Land of Fee-simple in the Parish of Grade saith in his Will I give all my Lands in the said Parish to A. B. and after the Will made and published he doth Purchase other Lands in the said Parish and dyeth in this case and by this Devise A. B. shall not have the new Purchased Lands Yet by a new Publication of the Will after the Purchasing of such Lands they will pass to A. B. the Devisee Yea though he hath no Land in the said Parish at the Time of making the said Devise yet if afterwards he doth Purchase Lands in that Parish in this case such ne 〈…〉 Purchased Lands will pass by the said Devise because it shall in that case be intended that he meant to Purchase them Also if a Man hath some Lands in Fee-simple and other Lands only for Years in Dale and he Devise all all his Lands and Tenements in Dale by this Devise the Lands and Tenements he hath for Years doth not pass but if he hath no other Lands in Dale but those for Years in this case probably they will pass 7. A. Deviseth his Lands to M. his Wife until E his Daughter shall accomplish the Age of 21. Years the Reversion to the said E. and the Heirs of her Body upon Condition that she shall pay unto his said Wife during her Life in Recompence of her Dower of all his Lands 20 l. and upon default of Payment he wills his Wife shall enter and enjoy all the Lands during her life the Remainder ut supra the Remainder to I. S. in Tail and dies M. the Wife enters E. the Daughter being within the Age of 14. Years M. takes to Husband I. D. The Husband and
One Devised all his Lands to another and the Heirs of his Body begotten and after in the same Will Devised That if the Devisee die the said Lands should remain to another in Fee The Court held That the Devisee hath notwithstanding an Estate Tail by the first words and no Estate pass'd by the last words One Devised his Land to W. his Son for Term of his Life and after his decease to the Men-children of his Body and in case the said W. dyed without any Man-child of his Body that then the Land should remain to another c. The Testator dies W. dies without Issue Male of his Body c. and the Question was What Estate he had the Justices of the Bench held that he had an Estate to him and the Heirs Males of his Body F. Seised of Land in Gavelkind had Three Sons and Devised part to one part to another the other part to the Third and if either of them dyed without Issue the other should be his Heir It was Adjudged an Entail in each and a Fee-simple by the words Heir to other And so it was Adjudged Hill 32. Eliz. in Carters Case C. B. If a Devise be made to one and his Heirs and in Case that he hath Issue a Daughter that she shall have the Lands If the Devisee hath Issue a Son and a Daughter and die the Son shall have the Land and although the Daughter afterwards take a Husband and hath Issue a Son he shall not eject the other CHAP. XI Certain Cases in Law touching Devises of Land for Life only 1. A Devise of Land to one not saying How long is an Estate only for life 2. Power of Distraining Devised to one without other words on Non-payment of a certain Annual Sum is only an Estate for Life 3. A Devise of Land to one and his Heir in the Singular Number or to one and his Children is but an Estate for life 4. Several Instances of Law touching Estates only for Life by way of Devise 5. Several Instances of Estates for Life by Implication Devised 6. A Devise of Land to one thereby obliged to a present Payment Creates a Fee-simple But if Payment be to Issue out of the Profits of the Land Devised it makes only an Estate Tail 7. A Devise of an Estate for Life in Reversion 8. A Devise of Two Estates for Lives the one to some in Being the other to others in Reversion 9. A. Devise of Lands in Esse or Posse Conditioned upon an Annual Payment to be made by the Devisee during his or her life which Devise is made by one in the Remainder in Fee and not in Possession doth pass an Estate only for life 10. A Devise by general words of all a Mans Estate Mortgages c. may pass as to the Real no more than an Estate for Life and not a Fee by Implication 11. The Law ever accommodates the Testators words whatever they be as nigh as possible to his intent and meaning 1. IF a Man Deviseth his Land to A. B. and say not how long nor for what Time by this Devise A. B. hath an Estate only for Life in the Land But if a Man Devise his Land to A. B. and his Assigns without saying For ever it hath been a Question whether he hath only an Estate for Life as was held by some or a Fee-simple as hath been Affirmed by others 2. In the latter part of the last Chapt. it was said That it was an Estate Tail of the Rent if one Devised to A. B. that if he and the Heirs of his Body be not paid 20 l. Rent yearly he and they shall distrain But now if the Devise only be That if A. B. be not paid 20. l. yearly he shall distrain c. by this Devise A. B. hath only an Estate for Life Likewise if one devise a Rent of 10 l. out of his Land to be paid quarterly and say not how long the Rent shall continue this is but an Estate in the Rent only for Life 3. If one Devise his Land to A. B. for his Life or to him without any more words or to him and his Heir in the Singular Number or to him and his Children he then having Children By all these and such like Devises A. B. hath only an Estate for life in the thing Devised And if one Devise That A. B. shall have and occupy his Land in D. and say not how long by this Devise A. B. shall have the Land as aforesaid only for life But If I Devise that A. B. shall enter into my Land and say no more by this Devise A. B. hath no Estate at all but power to enter into the Land only 4. A Man having a Son and a Daughter dies Lands are Devised to the Daughter and the Heirs Females of the Body of the Father by this Devise the Daughter hath only an Estate for her life for there is no such person for she is not Heir Likewise if one Devise his Land in D. unto A. B. for life and after to the next right Heir in the Singular Number and to his right Heirs for ever by this Devise A. B. hath only an Estate for life Or if one Devise Land to A. B. for life and after to the next Heir Male of A. B. and to the Heirs Males of the Body of such next Heir Male by this Devise also A. B. hath but an Estate only for life But if he Devise his Land to A. B. for his life and after to the Heirs or to the right Heirs of A. B. by these Devises A. B. hath the Fee-simple of the Land And if it be to him for life and after to his Heirs Males then he hath an Estate Tail But if one Devise Land to F. G. and M. his Wife and after their decease or the Remainder to their Children by this Devise whether they have or have not Children at the time F. G. and M. his Wife have Estates only for their lives 5. If one Devise his Land to A. B. in Fee after the death of C. D. being his Son and Heir apparent by this Devise C. D. hath an Estate for life by Implication and till the Devise take effect the Law gives it to him by descent The Law is the same where one doth devise his Land to A. B. after the death of his Wife by this Devise the Wife hath an Estate for life by Implication Likewise if a Man Devise in this manner I give my Goods to my Wife and that after her decease my Son and Heir shall have the House where the goods are it is held That by this Devise the Wife hath an Estate for life in the House by Implication But if a Man Devise his Land to A. B. after the death of I. G. a Stranger to the Devisor it seems that by this Devise I. G. hath no Estate at all by Implication
and that this doth but set forth the Time when the Estate of A. B. shall begin and that the Intent of the Testator is That his Heir shall have it until that Time The Reason of the difference is because a Man is bound to provide for his own not so for a Stranger and so the Law presumes what Nature doth teach 6. If one Devise his Land in this manner viz. I give my Land in D. to A. B. to the intent that with the Profits thereof he shall bring up my Child or my Children or to the intent that with the Profits thereof he shall pay to I. M. 10 l. or to the intent that out of the Profits thereof he shall pay yearly 10 l. By these Devises A. B. hath only an Estate for life albeit the Payments to be made be greater than the Rents of the Land Otherwise it is in case the Sum of Money is to be paid presently and not appointed to be paid out of the Profits of the Land in which case A. B. should have a Fee-simple in the Land 7. If the Father of A. be Tenant for life of Land the Remainder to A. in Fee And A. devise the Land to his Wife Rendring for her natural life 5 l. to the right Heir of the Father of A. by this Devise the Wife of A. hath an Estate for life after the death of his Father 8. Land was Devised to Husband and Wife and after their decease to their Children they then having Issue a Son and a Daughter In this case the Husband and Wife have but an Estate for Term of their lives the Remainder to their Children for life and no Estate Tail for the intent of the Testator here shall be construed according to the Rules of the Common Law and by the Common Law the Husband and Wife have but an Estate for their lives with a Remainder to their Children for their lives 9. The Son Seised of a Remainder in Fee after the death of his Father who was Tenant for life devised the same by these Words viz. I Devise to D. my Wife the Lands which I have or may have in Reversion after the death of my Father paying therefore yearly during her life to the right Heirs of my Father 40 s. and dyed his Father living It was the Opinion of the Court That no Estate passed by this Devise but for Term of the life of the Wife and that she should not pay the 40 s. until the Reversion did fall after the death of the Father 10. A. Seised of divers Lands in A. B. and C. the Lands in C. being in him by Mortgage forfeited Devised the Lands in A. and B. to several Persons and then adds this Clause in his Will All the rest of the Goods Chattels Leases Estates Mortgages whereof he was possessed he devised to his Wife after his Debts and Legacies paid made his Wife his Executrix and dyed The Wife entered into the Mortgaged Lands and devised it to the Defendant and his Heirs and dyed The Question was whether the Fee passed to the Wife by this Devise by the Name of all his Estate Mortgages c. It was the Opinion of the whole Court That an Estate for life only passed unto her and not a Fee by Implication of the general words in the Will 11. Note That there is a difference when one Deviseth his Term for life the Remainder over and when a Man Deviseth the Land or his Lease or Farm or the Occupation or Use or Profits of his Land For in a Will the intent and meaning of the Devisor is to be observed and the Law makes construction of the Words to answer and satisfie his intent and puts them into such order that his Will shall take effect And when a Man deviseth his Lease to one for life it is as much as to say He shall have so many Years in it as he shall live and that if he dyeth within the Term that another shall have it for the Residue of the Years And although at the beginning it is uncertain how may Years he shall live yet when he dyeth it is certain how many Years he hath lived and how many Years the other shall have and so by a subsequent Act all is made certain A Man made his Will in this manner Item I give my Mannor of Dale to my second Son Item I give my Mannor of Sale to my said Son and his Heirs what Estate he had in the Mannor of Dale was the Question It was held by Dyer Weston and Welch That in the first he had but an Estate for life for that it is as much as to say as if he would give his Mannor of Dale to him for his life for that as much is included therein without saying His Heirs And that Item seems a new Gift to a greater degree in the second place to make amends for the other Brown e Contra and that the Item is a Conjuntion Copulative and that the word Heirs expressed in the latter Clause extends to both the Mannors But if the Word Heirs were put in the Gift of the former Lands it would be otherwise Dyer if in the first place or Clause there were not any person named but that the words were Item I give the Mannor of D. Item I give the Mannor of S. to I. K. and his Heirs there and in that Case it would refer to both the Mannors W. C. by his Will Devised a Messuage in these words viz. I give to A. L. my Cousin the Fee-simple of my House and after her decease to W. her Son The Judges held That A. L. had an Estate for life and her Son a Fee-simple in Remainder And so it was adjudged R. D. Seised in Fee of a House and Possess'd of Goods made his Will in these words viz. The rest of my Goods Lands and Moveables whatsoever after my Debts Legacies and Funeralls paid to my Three Children I. T. and M. equally to be divided amongst them And it was Adjudged That they have an Estate only for life in the House and are Tenants in Common not Joynt-tenants CHAP. XII Certain Cases in the Law touching Devises of Leases or for a Term of Years 1. In what Case the Word Shall is taken for Should in Devise of a Term. 2. A Devise of Lands for 99. Years may be only for no more of that Term then the Issue Male of the Devisee shall continue 3. The Devise of a Term to one and his Heirs shall go to the Devisees Executors or Administrators and not to his Heirs 4. Chattel-Leases and Leases for Years pass not by a Devise of all his Lands and Tenements 5. By a Lease for Years Devised for Life doth pass the whole Term yet is it not an Estate for Life 6. The whole Interest of a Lessee in his lease-Lease-Lands doth pass by a Devise of his Lease Term Farm Profits Tenure or Occupation thereof as
or Years and therefore the whole shall pass to the Devisee A Man possessed of a Term of Years Devised the same in these words viz. The residue of my Goods Moveable and Immoveable I give to my Son John whom I make my Executor and to him I give my whole Years that I have in my Farm of M. and if he die I give it to my Daughters John the Executor and Devisee proveth the Will claiming the Lease according to the Will and dyeth Intestate His Administrator for good Consideration Selleth the Lease that remains Whence the doubt or Question was whether the Daughters or the Assignee should have the Lease The Case was referr'd to the Two Chief Justices and Justice Walmesley who all agreed That the Assignee should enjoy the Lease and not the Daughters Q. Whether a Devise to them in such manner be void One made a Lease for life after Leased the same to A. for 99. Years if he so long lived to Commence after the decease of the Lessee for life And if A. dyed during the said Term of 99. Years or the Lease otherwise determined and after the death of the Lessee for life then the Lessor granted for him and his Heirs that the Land should remain to the Executors of A. for 20. Years Lessee for life dyes A. Leased for 20. Years Rendring Rent and dyes Intestate B. takes his Administration and brings Action of Debt for the Rent It was Adjudged That it doth not lye for it seem'd to Gaudy and Yelverton That the Contingent of 20. Years was never Vested in A. But if A. had made Executors he might take by way of Purchase Executors being in name of Purchase As in Cranmers Case 14. Eliz. Dyer But if it had been limited to the Executors for Payment of the Debts of A. or the like then by the intent apparent there would be an Interest in A. and in the Executor for the use of A. as Popham and Fenner agreed in point of Law as to an Action of Debt A Man made his Will in this manner viz. I have made a Lease for 21. Years to I. S. paying but 20 s. Rent And it was held That it was a good Lease by the Will For that Word I have shall be taken in the Present Tense as is the word Dedi in a Deed of Feofment A Man Seised of a Mannor part in Demesnes and part in Lease upon Rent Suit and Service Devised by his Testament to his Wife during her life all his Lands in Demesnes and also by the same Testament did Devise to her all his Services and high Rents for 15. Years and further by the same Testament did Devise all his Mannor to another after the death of his Wife And it was Agreed by all the Justices That the last Devise took not effect for any part of the Mannor till after the death of the Wife and that the Heir after the Expiration of the 15. Years and during the Wives life shall have the Services and Chief Rents If a Man possessed of a Lease for Years of Land Devise the same to one for Life the Remainder to another although the first Devisee hath the whole Estate or Term in him and no Remainder can depend thereon at Common Law yet it is a good Devise to the second Devisee by way of an Executory Devise If certain Lands be Devised to one he cannot take them without the delivery of the Executor Or if a Man be possess'd of a Lease for Years of Land and Devise the same to another the Devisee cannot have it or enter upon it without the Executors or Administrators Consent CHAP XIII Law-Cases touching Devises of Reversions or Remainders 1. What Devise of a Reversion is good and what Remainder may be Devised 2. As the Limitation so the Devise of a Remainder after a Fee is void 3. In what Case the Devise of a Remainder of a Chattel-real may be void 4. The Devise of a void Limitation is a void Devise 5. A Devise in Remainder of Goods is void 6. In what Case the Devise of a Remainder over in Fee after Lease for Life made by Executors is void 7. The Difference between a Remainder Entail'd by Devise and Entail'd by Deed. 8. A Remainder Devised to a Church accrews to the Parson of that Church 9. A Refusal in one to take by a Devise shall not prejudice another in Reversion or Remainder 10. How the Devisors Daughters Issue without naming her shall have the Devised Remainder before the Issue of his Sons 11. A Termer of a 100. Years to come Deviseth it to one for Life the Remainder over it is a void Remainder 12. A Devise of a Remainder in Fee after a Lease which Devise is made by him in Remainder is a void Devise if the Lessor Re-enter 13. Several Cases wherein he in Remainder may Devise his Remainder 14. Fee-simple Devised to one the Remainder cannot be Devised to another albeit the first Devise were but Conditional 15. A Term of Years by way of Remainder is Devisable but a Devise by way of Entail with Remainder over is void 16. Lessor may Devise the Reversion of Land for Life notwithstanding a Feofment in Fee 17. Remainder of a Rent-charge in Fee may be Devised to one where the Land out of which the Rent doth arise is Devised to another 18. A Devise may be good for the Reversion of a Term where not for the Rent 19. The Devise of a Remainder may be good where yet an Estate Tail shall precede 20. He in Remainder shall take presently where the Devisee for Life is incapable of taking by Devise 21. Though a Man cannot Devise to himself yet he may Devise a Remainder to his own right Heirs 22. A Man may Devise a Reversion by the Name of all his Inheritance or Hereditaments 23. Devises of Remainders to the next of Blood 24. Where the Devise of a Remainder after the Remainder makes the former Remainder but an Estate for Life 1. IF a Man Devise his Land to B. C. for life the Remainder to the next of Kin or next of Blood of B. C. this is a good Devise of a Remainder Or if a Lessor Disseiseth his Lessee for life and makes a Lease for life to another for Term of life of the first Lessee the Remainder over in Fee though the first Lessee enters yet he in the Remainder may Devise his Remainder 2. If one Devise his Lands to A. so as he render 20 s. per annum to B. and if he fail thereof then his Estate to cease and to remain to B. this Devise is good but the Limitation of the Remainder is void because a Remainder cannot be limited after a Fee Therefore if a Man makes a Lease for Years upon Condition that if the Lessor disturb the Lessee within the Term that the Lessee shall have the Fee and maketh Livery accordingly and after the Lessor doth disturb the Lessee for
Rent where none is in arrear and after Deviseth his Reversion this Devise is not good 3. A Man possessed of a Term for 40. Years Devised that his Eldest Daughter should have the same to her and the Heirs of her Body the Remainder if she dyed without Issue Within the Term to C. his second Daughter in Tail The Eldest Daughter took Husband and dyed within the Term without Issue Her Husband Sold the Term. It was the Opinion of the Court That his Sale thereof was good and that the younger Daughter had no Remedy for it because it was a void Remainder being of a Term which was a Chattel-real and so is to go to the Husband 4. A Lease was made to A. for 41. Years if he should so long live and if he dyed within the said Term that then his Wife should have it for the Residue of the said Years It was held That the limitation to the Wife in Remainder was void for that the Term ended by the death of A. and then there was no Residue to remain to his Wife 5. A Man possessed of certain Goods Devised them by his Will to his Wife for life and after her decease to I. S. and dyed I. S. in the life time of the Wife did Commence Suit in a Court of Equity there to secure his Interest in Remainder A Prohibition was granted in this Case and the Reason was because a Devise in Remainder of Goods was void and therefore no Remedy in Equity for Equitas sequitur Legem It was agreed That a Devise of the Use and Occupation of Lands is a Devise of the Land it self but not so of Goods for one may have the Occupation of them and another the Interest in them 6. Suppose a Man Deviseth a Reversion depending upon an Estate for life to the Parson of D. and to his Successors if the Parson die and after a new Parson be made and the particular Tenant die also the new Parson shall have it Also if a Man Devise Land to one for Term of life the Remainder over in Fee and the Devisee for life refuse yet he in the Remainder may enter but if the Will were That the Executors shall make a Lease for life the Remainder over in Fee and they offer to make a Lease accordingly and the Lessee refuseth he in the Remainder shall not have the Remainder 7. I. S. hath issue Two Sons and dyeth the Elder hath Issue a Daughter who hath Issue a Son and dyeth Land is given by Testament to one for life the Remainder to the next Male of the Body of I. S. begotten the second Son of I. S. shall have the Land and not the Son of the Daughter It would be otherwise if the Remainder were so Entail'd by Deed. 8. If Land be Devised to one for life the Remainder to the Church of D. the Parson of the said Church shall have it And if a Man willeth that after 20. years after the death of the Devisor I. S. shall have the Land in Fee the Heir of the Devisor shall have the Land during the Term and not the Executor 9. A Man Deviseth his Land to his Daughter and Heir being a Feme Covert and to the Heirs of the Woman the Reversion over in Fee and dyeth the Husband refuseth to take by the Devise he in the Remainder entereth he shall retain the Land during the lives of the Husband and Wife but after their decease he Issue of the Wife may enter upon him 10. A Man Seised of Land in Fee hath Issue Two Sons and a Daughter the Father Deviseth the Land to his Wife for Term of life the Remainder propinquioribus de sanguine puerorum of the Devisor the Daughter hath Issue and dyeth the Issue of the Daughter shall have this Remainder and although that the Sons have Issue after yet their Issue shall not have it 11. A Man hath a Term of a Hundred Years to come and he Deviseth this to one for Term of life the Remainder over to I. S. this is a void Remainder it were otherwise if the Devise were that the Devisee shall have the Occupation of the Land during his life the Remainder over 12. A Lease is made for life the Remainder over in Fee reserving Rent by Indenture and for default of Payment that it shall be Lawful for the Lessor to enter and detain during the life of the Lessee he Re-enters for the Rent Arrear he in the Remainder Deviseth the Remainder such Devise of the Remainder is void 13. If Land be given to Two Persons Habendum to the one for life and after his decease to the other in Fee he that hath the Fee may Devise his Reversion thereof Likewise if Land be given to one for life and that after his death it shall descend to I. S. in Fee he may Devise this Remainder Or if a Lease be made dummodo solverit 10 l. to the Lessor for his life he may Devise the Reversion with the Rent Or if a Lease be made to an Infant or Feme-sole for life the Remainder in Fee and the Infant at his full Age or the Feme after Coverture disagree he in Remainder may Devise his Remainder 14. If the Fee-simple of Land be Devised to one the Remainder cannot be Devised to another albeit the first Devise be but Conditional And therefore if a Man Devise his Land to A. B. in Fee so that he pay 100 l. to C. D. And if he fail that then it shall remain to G. D. and his Heirs this Remainder to C. D. is void for upon the Failure of Payment by A. B. the said C. D. may not enter and have the Land but the Devisors next Heir Likewise if Land be Devised to F. G. and his Heirs and if he die without Heirs that then it shall remain to I. M. and his Heirs this is a void remainder 15. A Man may Devise a Term of Years by way of Remainder and the first Devisee cannot hinder the second of the Remnant of the Term. But yet a Man possessed of a Term of Years cannot Entail it by his Will And therefore if a Man Devise his Term to A. B. and his Heirs or to him and the Heirs of his Body or to him and his Issue the Remainder to B. C. this Remainder is void and the Devise is good for the whole Term of Years to A. B. and his Executors 16. A Man Seised of Two Acres in several Towns in one County that is of the one for life and of the other in Fee and maketh a Feofment by Deed of all his Lands in the same County and makes Livery in the Acre in Fee in the name of both the Lessor notwithstanding this may Devise the Reversion of the Acre for life 17. If a Man grants a Rent-charge out of Lands devisable to one for life the Remainder over to the Grantor and his
made his Testament in writing and Devised the Mannor to his Wife for the Term of 30. Years in these words viz. For and to these Intents and Purposes following viz. I will and my mind and intent is That B. my Wife shall yearly Content and Pay out of the Issues and Profits of the said Mannor to Sir A. I. and others 30 l. And further Wills That the other Legacies given in his Will should be paid by her and therein Devised divers Legacies And further Willed That his Wife should be bound to Sir A. and others for the performance of his Will F. C. the Devisor dies the Wife enters on the Land c. takes the Profits and thereof pays the Legacies but not to Sir A. and others c. Whereupon the Heir Enters as for breach of Condition It was held by the Justices that it was no Condition but a Declaration of the Testators intention for to what end or purpose should the Wife be bound if it were a Condition But Judgment was not given in the Case for the Parties agreed CHAP. XV. Touching Devises of Rents 1. Rents Issuing out of Lands are as Devisable as the Land it self so as it be the Testators own Land 2. A Grantee may not Devise the Rent which he hath only for another Mans Life 3. Rent to be Issuing out of a Common is not Devisable 4. Several ways how Rents may be Devised 5. The Devise of the Reversion of a Rent upon a false suggestion is a void Devise 1. A Seigniory Rent or the like is Devisable as Land is and will pass without the Atturnment of the Tenant So that a Man may Devise a Rent de novo issuing out of Land or a Rent issuing out of Land that is in esse before And therefore if one make a Lease for Life or Years Rendring Rent the Lessor may Devise this Rent Likewise if a Rent be granted to one and his Heirs the Grantee may Devise this Rent Also a Man that is Seised of Land in Fee may Devise any Rent out of it at his pleasure But a Man cannot Devise a Rent out of another Mans Land that is none of his own nor out of that which he hath not and therefore if one Devise Twenty Pounds to be issuing out of his Mannor of Dale when in Truth he hath no such Mannor that Devise is void 2. If Rent be granted to one Man for the life of another it seems the Grantee may not Devise this Rent but that on failure of other disposal thereof in the Grantees life Time the Terre-tenant shall hold it as an Occupant And if one Devise a Rent of any certain Sum out of his Land to be paid quarterly and say not how long the Rent shall continue this is but an Fstate for life of that Rent 3. If a Man Seised of a Common granteth a Rent out of the Land although that the Land be Devisable yet the Grant is void and by Consequence the Devise 4. If a Tenant for life make a Lease for Years Rendring Rent and after the Tenant for life Surrender to the Lessor all his Right and then the Lessor Devise this Rent this is a good Devise during the life of the Lessee for life Or if a Man make a Lease for life Reserving Rent to him and his Heirs and the Lessor Devise this Rent this also is a good Devise of the Rent otherwise it is if he Reserve the Rent to him and his Assigns Or if a Lessee for Term of Ten Years make a Lease over for Term of 40. Years and the Lessor confirm the Estate Reserving a Rent to him and his Heirs and after by his Will Devise the Rent in Fee this also is a good Devise of the Rent after the Ten Years but not before 5. A Man Seised of a Rent makes a Deed reciting that whereas I. S. holdeth the said Rent of his Grant for Term of life he grants the Reversion of the said Rent after the decease of I. S. to the Grantee and his Heirs in Fee and in Truth I. S. had nothing in the Rent the Grantee Deviseth this Rent this is no good Devise of the Rent If the Husband make a Leafe for life to the Daughter and Heir apparent of his Wife being Covert Rendring Rent and the Wife-Mother die and the Husband Devise the Rent this is a void Devise of that Rent In an Action of the Case upon Trover the Defendant justified and pleaded Rent granted to A. his Executors and Assigns for the life of B. out of Black-acre and shewed that A. was dead and that he as Administrator to A. distrayned for the Rent on Black-acre in Arrears after the death of A. and that he is to have it during the life of B. It was Adjudged That the justification was not good either for matter or manner for that after the death of A. the Rent determined and cannot come to his Executors or Administrators for it was not a Thing Testamentary but a Frank-tenement and nothing in the Grant to A. and his Heirs for the others life If Rent be granted out of Land Devisable by Custom the Rent may be Devised within the Custom for it is of the same nature with the Land CHAP. XVI Of Devises touching the Sale of Land by Executors or others 1. The mean Profits of Lands Devised to be sold are not Assets in the Executors hands unless the Testator shall specially so Appoint it 2. The Heir and not a stranger though appointed in the Devise shall take the advantage of a Breach of Condition annexed to a Devise touching sale of Lands 3. Where the Executors have only an Authority and not an Interest in the Lands Devised to be sold the Heir of the Devisor shall have the mean Profits thereof till it be sold 4. Otherwise where the Executors have an Interest in which case the Money or Proceed upon the sale but not the mean Profits shall be Assets in their hands 5. Several Devises touching sales of Land with or without the Assent of another 6. By the word Appurtenances shall pass in a Devise Lands commonly used with a Messuage 7. A Copy-holders Case of Devise of Land to his Wife 8. Where one who hath but an Estate for life and no Interest to sell may yet have an Authority to Appoint who shall sell the Lands Devised 9. In what Case relating to this matter a Prohibition may Lye or not 10. A Case of Law wherein one Executor alone where there are two can not sell the Land Devised 11. How a sale of Lands Devised to be sold may be void for want of sufficient Authority 12. In what case a Sale of Lands Devised to be sold may be made by one Executor where there are two Appointed by Name 13. Where there is an Interest as well as an Authority and Trust the Executor of the surviving Executor may sell the Lands of the first Testator Devised to be sold 14.
Justices That this was a Condition for so was the Intent of the Devisor For otherwise the Younger Sister had no Remedy for the Rent And in this Case it was Adjudged That the Younger Sister might enter upon a Moity of the Land for breach of the Condition in Non-payment of the Rent for which the Action was brought A Man had Issue a Son and a Daughter and he Devised his Lands to his Son in Tail and if he dyed without Issue it should remain to the next of his Name r The Son dyed without Issue the Daughter being then Married The Question was whether she should have the Lands It was Resolved by the whole Court That she should not for that she had lost her Name by her Marriage But if she had not been Married at the Time of her Brothers death she should have had it for she was the next of Name A. B. Seised of Lands in Socage Devised the same by Words to his Three Sisters a Stranger present Recited the Testators words to him whereat he Affirmed the same Afterwards the Stranger for his own Remembrance puts the words into Writing but read them not to the Devisor before his death This Devise so Reduced into Writing mode forme is void because it was written without the order or direction of the Devisor and consequently not within the Statute But if after the writing thereof he had read the same to the Devisor and thereupon the Devisor had Affirmed the same it had then been a good Devise It was the Opinion of c. A. deviseth his Lands to W. after the decease of his Wife and if he fail then he willeth all his part to the discretion of his Father and dyed W. Survived the Father being dead before without any disposition of the Land In this Case the Father hath a Fee-simple there being no difference where the Devise is That I. S. shall do with the Land at his Pleasure and the Devise thereof to I. S. to do with it at his discretion A Man Seised of Lands in A. hath Issue four Daughters A. B. C. D. and devised all his Lands in A. to A. and B. Two of his Daughters and made them his Executrices Afterwards he Purchased other Lands in A. A Stranger being desirous to Buy this Land of him newly Purchased he refused saying That this Land should go with the Residue of his Land to his Executors as his other Lands should go Afterwards the Testator made a Codicil and caused it to be annexed to his Will but in the Codicil no mention was made of this new Purchased Land In this Case this new Purchased Land shall not pass For Notwithstanding that the Reading of the Will and the making of a Codicil may amount to a new Publication yet it doth not manifest the Intent of the Devisor to be that more shall pass by that then he intended at the first Also the new Reading of the Will and the annexing of a Codicil may not properly be termed a new Publication And without an express Publication for this Land newly Purchased this Land shall not pass A Man Let several Houses and Lands by several Leases for Years rendring several Rents amounting to 10 l. per annum and made his Will in this manner viz. I Bequeath the Rents of D. to my Wife for Life the Remainder over in Tail By this Devise the Land it self shall pass for it appears his Intent was to make a Devise of all his Lands and Tenements and that he intended to pass such an Estate as should have continuance for a longer time then the Leases should endure and the words are apt enough to convey the Lands it being an usual manner of speaking of some Men who name their Lands by their Rents A Man Devised Lands to another Man and his Heirs The Devisee dyed in the Life of the Devisor and then the Devisor dyed In this Case the Heirs shall not take by the Devise for that the Heirs are not named as words of Purchase but only to express and limit the Estate which the Devisee should have for without these words Heirs the Devisee could not have the Fee-simple and the Heirs are named only to Convey the Lands in Fee-simple and not to make any other to be Purchaser but the Devisee CHAP. IX Certain Cases touching Devises of Land in Fee-simple 1. A Fee-simple may pass by several Words and Expressions in a Will which will not pass it by Deed. 2. A Power to Sell Land Devised passeth the Fee-simple so doth the Devise of the Land without other words on the least Consideration of a Payment to be made by the Devisee 3. A Fee-simple will pass in a Will as well by the Implication as Expression of the Word Heirs 4. A nice Distinction between Joynt-Tenancy and Tenancy in Common 5. A Devise of Lands to a Corporation for Life is a Fee-simple and whether it may pass by the Word Assigns without the Word Heirs or the Words For ever 6. A Fee-simple passeth in a Will by Implication of a power to Sell the Lands as well as by Payment of Money enjoyn'd the Devisee 7. In what Sense the Habendum shall be Construed where the Devise of Lands seems somewhat doubtful 8. In what Case a Fee-simple and all the Testators Inheritances may pass by General Words to the Devisee 9. A Devise in Fee made to one cannot in the same Will be made to another 10. How the Word Paying doth Create a Fee in a Devise and bow by a Devise of Rents the Land it self doth pass 11. A Devise shall be for the Dvisees Benefit not Prejudice also in what other Case a Fee shall pass by Implication 12. In what Case and by what Words the Fee and not Leases or the Leases and not Fee do pass by a Devise 13. Other Cases in Law touching this Subject 1. THere are many Words and Expressions whereby Lands will pass in Fee-simple by a Will which by a Deed will not so Convey the same As suppose a Man devise his Land in this manner viz. I give my Land in Dale to A. B. and his Heirs or to A. B. in Fee or to A. B. for ever or to A. B. Habendum sibi suis or to A. B. and his Assigns forever or to A. B. to give away or Sell or do therewith at his Pleasure All these and such like in a Will Create a Fee-simple Estate and A. B. shall have the Land to him and his Heirs for ever yet by such words in a Deed no more will pass then an Estate for Life save only in the first Case Also if any now since the making of the Statute of Uses Devise that the Feoffees of his Land shall be Seized of the Land to the Use of B. C. and his Heirs or to the Use of B. C and the Heirs of his Body or that his Feoffees shall make an Estate of the Land to B.
C. and his Heirs or to him and the Heirs of his Body This is a good Devise of the Land in Fee-simple or Fee-tail There are also several other ways of Fee-simple by Will For suppose Land be given to a Man Habend sibi Haeredi suo This indeed is not Fee-simple otherwise it is if it be given sibi duobus Haeredibus suis tantum So if Land be given to a Man Habend sibi Haered with warranty of the Land sibi Haeredibus suis This is a good Fee-simple Or if a Man Devise Land to A. B. for his Life and after to the Heirs or to the right Heirs of A. B. By these Devises A. B. hath a Fee-simple in the Land Also if one Devise his Land to his Wife to dispose thereof at her will and pleasure and to give it to one of her Sons by this Devise she hath a Fee-simple but it is qualified for she must Convey it to one of her Children and cannot Convey it to another 2. When in a Will power is given to a Devisee of Land by the Testator to Sell that Land such Devisee hath a Fee-simple in that Land for power to Sell giveth by Implication an Estate in Fee-simple Also if one Devise his Land to A. B. paying 10 l. without other words By this the Devisee hath the Fee-simple of the Land albeit the 10 l. be not the Dundredth partvalue of the Land In like manner If one Devise Land whereof he is Seized in Fee to A. B. paying 10 l. to G. D. By this Devise albeit there be no Estate expressed yet A. B. hath the Fee-simple of the Land in respect of the Payment of the Money This holds True only in case the Intent of the Testator doth not appear to be otherwise 3. If one in his will devise his Land to his Wife in the first place and then saith my Will is That my Son A. shall have it after my Wives death and if my Wife dye before my Son B. that then my Son A. shall pay to B. 10 l. by the Year during the Life of B. and also 100 l. to I. S. In this Case A. shall have the Fee-simple of the Land Also if one Devise his Land in this manner viz. I give White-acre to my Eldest Son and his Heirs for his part Item Black-acre to my youngest Son for his part by this Devise the the Youngest Son shall have the Fee-simple of Black-acre Or thus I give White-acre to A. B. Item Black-acre to A. B. and his Heirs by this Devise A. B. shall have the Fee-simple as well of White-acre as of Black-acre 4. If a Man Devise his Land in this manner Item I give to A. B. and C. D. and their Hoirs my Land in Kent equally or my Land in Kent equally to be divided by these words A. B. and C. D. shall have and hold the Land not as Joynt-Tenants but as Tenants in Common so that the Heir and not the Survivor shall have his part that first dyeth And yet in case of such a Limitation by Deed it is otherwise But if one Devise his Land to A. B. and C. D. and their Heirs without more words it seems that by this Devise they shall take and hold as Joynt-Tenants Yet if one Devise Land to A. B. and C. D. and the Heirs of either of their Bodies lawfully begotten it seems that by this Devise A. B. and C. D. shall take and hold as Tenants in Common and not as Joynt-Tenants Likewise the Case is the same if one Devise his Land to A. B. and C. D. in this manner viz. I Will that A. B. and C. D. shall have my Lands in Kent and occupy them indifferently to them and their Heirs But if one who hath Two Daughters only give or Devise his Land to them in Fee by this Devise they shall take as Joynt-Tenants and not be in by Descent as Partners for the Testators Will shall take place 5. If Land be given to the Mayor and Commonalty of London or any other Corporation to have and to hold for Term of their Lives it is a Fee-simple Or if a Man say I give to A. B. my House with all the Lands for 21. Years and that A. B. shall have all my Inheritance provided it be not contrary to Law In this Case A. B. shall have the Fee Or if he give it to his right Heirs Males and Issue of his Issue of his Name this also is a Fee-simple And although it be affirmed by some That if the Testator Devise his Land to A. B. and his Assigns without saying For ever A. B. shall have an Estate only for Life Yet the contrary is Asserted by others and that it is a Fee-simple 6. If a Testator saith I will my Land to my Son A. during his Life and after his decease to my Son B. And in case my Son A. shall hereafter Purchase Lands of as good Value as that Land for my Son B. that then my Son A. shall Sell the Land Devised to my Son B. as his own and shall pay 20 l. to C. D. In this Case A. hath a Fee-simple implyed by the Power which A. hath to Sell beside the Payment of Money Also if one Devise Land to me and my Heirs and in Case the Heir at Law put me out that then I shall have other Land instead thereof in this Case and by this Devise I have the Fee-simple of the first Land notwithstanding the latter words Likewise if a Testator Devise Land to me for my life the Remainder to his own Son and the Heirs Males of his Body and in default of such Issue the Remainder to the next Heir-male of the Testator and the Heirs-males of his Body In this Case the next Heir-male of the Son hath an Estate in Fee-simple 7. Suppose a Man Seised of Lands make his Will in this manner viz. Imp. I Devise to my Wife Black-acre for her life the Remainder to my Son T. in Tail Item I Will to my Son T. all my Lands in D. also all my Lands in S. also my Lands in V. Also I give to the said T. my Son all my Island or Land enclosed with Water which I Purchased of I. S. To have and to hold all the said last before Devised Premises to the said T. my Son and the Heir of his Body In this Case the Habendum shall extend to all the Lands in D. S. and V. and shall not limit the Devise only to the Island because the thing last Devised by the Will was an Island in the Singular Number which cannot Answer to the Habendum in the Plural which if extensive to the Island only T. then should have but for Life in the Lands of D. S. and V. But it was otherwise Resolved viz. That the Habendum should extend to all the Lands in D. S. and V.
8. A Man Seised of a Messuage holden in Socage in Fee Devised the same by these words I Devise my Messuage where I dwell to A. B. and her Assigns for 10. Years and A. B. shall have all my Inheritances if the Law will In this Case the Devise in Fee of the Messuage is good and by the general words of the Will all his Inheritances do also pass 9. If a Man Devise Lands to one for ever there he hath a Fee for such an Estate might be conveyed by Act Executed But if he further Devise That if the Devisee do such an Act that then another shall have the Land to him and his Heirs the same is void for when as he hath disposed of the Estate in Fee to one he hath not power after in the same Will to dispose the same to another it being a Rule in Law That such an Estate which cannot by the Rules of the Common Law be conveyed by Grant Executed in his life time by Advice of Council learned in the Law such an Estate cannot be Devised by the Will of a Man who is presumed to be void of Council 10. A Man having Lands in Fee-simple and goods to the Value of 5 l. only Devised to his Wife all his Estate paying his Debts and Legacies his Debts and Legacies amounting to 40 l. It was Adjuged in this Case That all his Lands did pass by the Devise and that the Devisee had a Fee-simple in the Lands the word Paying enforcing it for they are to be paid presently which cannot be if the Lands pass not in Fee And if a Man Deviseth all his Rents It was held That all his Lands do pass 11. Note That by intendment of Law a Devise shall be for the benefit of the Devisee and not to his prejudice As if Land to the Value of 3 l. per annum be Devised to A. and that A. shall pay out of it 50 s. per annum In this Case A. hath but an Estate for life for he may pay it out of the Profits of the Lands and is sure to be at no loss But if it be Devised to B. for life the Remainder to A. paying 50 s. per annum out of it In this Case A. hath a Fee-simple by Implication because after the Payment thereof A. may dye before he can receive satisfaction for the same out of the Profits of the Land and therefore such Devise shall be a Fee-simple because the Law intends that the Devise was for the benefit of the Devisee 12. Note also That if a Man hath Lands in Fee and Lands for Years and he Deviseth all his Lands and Tenements the Fee-simple Lands pass only and not the Lease for Years 2 If a Man hath a Lease for Years and no Freehold and Deviseth all his Lands and Tenements the Lease for Years passeth 3 That if one Deviseth his Lands which he hath by Lease to his Executor for life the Remainder over that there ought to be a special Assent thereunto by the Executors as to a Legacy otherwise it is not Executed 13. A. Devised his Lands in London to his Son and his Heirs after the decease of his Wife and in Case his Daughter should Survive his Wife and his Son and his Heirs that then the Daughters should have it for Life and after their death I. and R. should have the same and that they should pay 6 l. 16 s. yearly to the Company of Merchant-Taylors to be disposed of to Charitable Uses In this Case three Points were Argued 1 Whether the Wife had an Estate for life by Implication of the Will And it was Resolved That she had 2 Whether the Son had a Fee-simple or Fee-tail And it was Resolved That he had a Fee-tail by Implication of these words viz. if his Daughters Survive his Wife and his Son and his Heirs whereby it is plainly implyed That the Heirs there intended are the Heirs of his Body and not his Heirs in Fee for so long as the Daughters live the Son could not dye without a Collateral Heir 3 What Estate I. and R. have after the death of the Daughters And as to That it was Resolved That they have a Fee-simple by Reason of the Annual Payment of Money and it is not to be regarded what Annual Value the Land is of over and above the Sums they pay for every Sum of Money paid or payable doth cause the Devisee to have a Fee-simple And Coke Chief Justice said That a Devise to A. and his Successors is a Devise of a Fee-simple without the word Heirs because it implyes a Fee-simple although it wants the express words Between L. Plaintiff and B. Defendant L. Seised of Land in Fee Devised it unto Two Persons Equaliter and to their Heirs Whether this made them Joynt-Tenants or Tenants in Common was the Question It was holden by the whole Court That they were Joynt-Tenants and not Tenants in Common A Man Seised of Lands Devised them by his Testament to his Wife to dispose and imploy them for her and his Sons at her own Will and Pleasure And it was held by Dyer Weston and Welch That she had a Fee by such words as if he had Devised the Lands for ever For the Construction of Law supplies the defect in these words of the Devisor according to his meaning And it was held by Dyer and Welch That the Estate in her is Conditional because these words ea intentione make a Condition in every Devise but not in a Feofment Gift or Grant unless it be in Case of the King And these words do amount as much as to say she should not convey it away to a Stranger but keep it and give it to his Sons S. Seised of Land in Fee holden in Socage and Devisable in Gavelkind Devised it to his Feme for her life paying 3 l. per annum to T. his Son during his life and that he should take but Two Load of Wood for Fire-boot And if she dyed before the said T. then he Devised all his Lands to R. his Son paying to the said T. 3 l. per annum and paying to such one of his Sisters 20 s. and to another Sister 20 s. The Feme dyes R. enters The Question was what Estate R. had by this Devise And it was Adjudged he had a Fee For when he Devised it to his Feme for life expresly c. and to R. generally without limiting the Estate and apppointed him to pay to T. 3 l. per annum during his life That carries in it an Intendment that he should have Fee especially when his Father therein further willed That his Son R. should pay two other Sums in Gross and none of them to be out of the Profits it is by Intendment and by Implication a Fee wherefore upon the first Argument it was Adjudged for the Defendant for they said That these Things which have been so often Adjudged ought
Male or the Heirs Female of their Two Bodies begotten or to him and his Heirs if he shall have any Heirs of his Body else that the Land shall revert or to him and his Heirs if he shall have any Issue of his Body or to him and the right Heirs Male of his Body or to him and his Heirs provided that if he die without Heirs of his Body that then the Land shall revert by all these and such like Devises an Estate Tail may be Created of the Land so Devised Likewise if one Devise his Land in Dale to A. B. semini suo by these Words A. B. hath an Estate Tail But if he say I give my Land in Dale to A. B. sanguini suo it is said That by this Devise A. B. hath the Fee-simple of the Land 5. Suppose a Devise be made thus viz. I give my Land in Dale to A. B. for life the Remainder to C. D. and E. his Wife and their Children or to them and their Men-children or to them and their Issues by these Devises if C. D. and E. his Wife have no Children at the Time of the Devise an Estate Tail is Created but if they have any Children at the time of the Devise then hereby is Created an Estate for all their lives only in Joynt-tenancy 6. If one Devise his Land to his Wife for life the Remainder to his Son and if his Son die without Issue not having a Son that then it shall remain over this is a good Estate Tail Likewise if Lands be Devised to A. B. and his Heirs Males or his Heirs Females without saying of his Body by this Devise A. B. hath an Estate Tail But if such a Limitation be by Deed it is said to be a Fee-simple 7. If one having Two Sons Devise part of his Land to his Eldest Son and his Heirs another part of his Land to his Youngest Son and his Heirs and if either of them dye without Issue that then the other shall be his Heir by this Devise either of them hath an Estate Tail and no Fee-simple But if one Devise his Land to his Eldest Son and his Heirs and if he dye without Heirs of his Body that it shall remain to his Youngest Son and his Heirs by this Devise the Eldest Son hath an Estate Tail and the Youngest Son the Fee-simple 8. If one Devise his Land to his Son W. S. and if he marry and have an Issue Male begotten of the Body of his Wife then that Issue to have it and if he have no Issue Male then to others in Remainder by this Devise it seems W. S. hath an Estate Tail to him and the Issues Male begotten of the Body of his Wife Also if one Devise Long-acre to A. and then say Item Broad-acre to A. and the Heirs of his Body by this Devise he hath an Estate Tail in both Acres 9. If one Devise his Land to his Wife for years the Remainder to his Younger Son and his Heirs and if either of his Two Sons die without Issue c. that it shall remain to his Daughter and her Heirs and the Younger Son die in the life Time of the Father and after the Father dyeth it seems by this Devise the Elder Son shall have the Land in Tail Or if one Devise his Land to his Wife for life and after to his Son and if his Son die without Issue having no Son or having no Male that then it shall go to another by this Devise the Son hath an Estate Tail to him and the Heirs Males of his Body Or if Lands be Devised to Man and Woman unmarried and the Heirs of their Two Bodies or to the Husband of A. and Wife of B. and the Heirs of their Two Bodies by these Devises are made Estates in Tail 10. If Land be Devised to A. B. and the Heirs of his Body and that if he die it shall reman to C. D. by this Devise A. B. hath an Estate Tail and the latter words do not qualifie the former but C. D. must attend the death of A. B. without Heirs of his Body before he shall have the Land Also if Lands be Devised to A. B. and the Heirs he shall have by C. his Wife by this Devise A. B. hath a Fee-Tail and not a Fee-simple Likewise if one Devise Land to his Son and his Heirs and that if his Son die within the Age of 21. Years or without Issue that the Land shall remain over and the Son dyeth within Age having Issue in this case and by this Devise the Son hath an Estate Tail and Or in this place shall be taken for And 11. If a Man Devise his Land in this manner viz. I give White-acre to my Son A. and his Heirs Black-acre to my Son B. and his Heirs and Green-acre to my Son C. and his Heirs provided that if all my said Sons die without Issue of their Bodies that then all my said Lands shall go to M. my Wife and her Heirs by this Devise they have all of them Estates in Tail of their Land and as it seems Cross-Remainders to either of them of the Land of each other Also if one Devise his Land to A. B. and if he die without Issue Male of his Body then that it shall remain over to C. D. by this Devise A. B. hath an Estate Tail 12. If a Man having Issue Three Sons Devise his Lands in this manner viz. One part to Two of his Sons in Tail and another part to his Third Son in Tail and that neither of them shall Sell his part but that either of them shall be Heir to other by this Devise either of them hath an Estate-Tail and if one of them die without Issue his part shall not revert to the Eldest but shall remain to the other Son for it is an implyed Remainder 13. If one Devise to A. B. that if he and the Heirs of his Body be not paid 20 l. Rent yearly he and they shall distrain by this Devise A. B. hath an Estate-Tail of this Rent Also if a Man Devise his Mannor of D. to his Eldest Son and also all his Lands in S. in Tail in that case the Entail is limited for the Land in S. and shall not extend to the Mannor of D. But if the words had been I Devise my Mannor of D. and all my Lands in S. to my Son in Tail the Son had had an Estate Tail in both But suppose a Man Deviseth his Lands to his Wife for Life the Remainder to his Son in Tail and if he die without Issue the Land to remain to A. B. and his Wife for their lives and after their deceases to their Children In this Case the Court was divided whether the Children of A. B. had an Estate in Tail or only an Estate for life Mich. 40. Eliz. in B. R. Goldesb 138.
well as by any other words 7. The Residue of a Term is as the Term it self 8. A Man may Devise such an Estate by Will which he cannot make by Act Executed Or he may Create an Interest by his Will which by Grant or Conveyance in his life time he could not do 9. That may be the Devise of a Lease for Years in Law which doth not seem to appear such in Fact 10. The whole Term though not named shall pass by a Devise where no other can pass by Implication 1. IF one Devise his Land unto his Executors until his Son shall come unto the Age of 21. Years the Profits to be imployed towards the performance of his Will and when he shall come to that Age that then his Son and his Heirs shall have it By this Devise the Executors shall have it until he be of 21. years of Age and if he die before that time the Executors shall also have it until the time he should have been 21. Years of Age if he had lived so long and the word Shall in this case is taken for Should Likewise if one Devise his Land to his Executors for the payment of his Debts and until his Debts be paid by this Devise the Executors have but a Chattel and an uncertain Interest and they and their Executors shall hold it until the Debts be paid and no longer 2. If one Devise his Land to A. B. and the Heirs males of his Body for the Term of 99. Years it seems that by this Devise A. B. hath but a Lease for so many Years if the Heirs Males of his Body shall so long continue and that for want of Issue Male the Term of Years shall expire And in this case the Executor or Administrator not the Heirs Males of A. B. shall have it after his death 3. If one possessed of a Term of Years Devise the same to another and his Heirs or his Heirs Male by this Devise the Executors or Administrators not the Heirs of the Legatee shall have it So that if a Lessee for Years of Land Devise all his Interest therein to his Wife if she live so long and after her death if any part of the Term be to come Devise the same to A. B. his Son and to the Heirs of his Body in this Case and by this Devise the Executors or Administrators of A. B. and not his Heirs shall have it 4. If a Man Devise all his Lands and Tenements in D. yet Leases for Years do not pass by these words for by Lands and Tenements is intended Frank-tenements or Free-hold and not Chattels 5. If one hath a Lease for Years of Land and Devise it to A. B. for life by this Devise the whole Term is Devised and A. B. shall have the whole Term if he live so long and yet A. B. shall not have an Estate for life by this Devise So likewise the Law seems to be the same upon a Grant by Deed made in that manner And if a Man possessed of a Term of Years of Land Devise his Term or his Lease or the Land it self by a Devise in either of these words the whole Term doth pass A Term of Years is Devised to the Church-wardens of the Church of D. and to their Successors This is not good but for Goods so Devised the Law is otherwise A Man who hath a Term Deviseth the Land to one and his Heirs the Devisee dyeth and hath Executors his Heirs shall have the Land and not his Executors The Law is otherwise if the entire Term were so Devised 6. If a Lessee Devise his Lease or his Term or his Farm or his Profits Tenure or Occupation thereof by either of these Devises his whole Lease and all his Interest in the Land is bequeathed as well as by any other form of words But if a Man Devise his Land only for so many Years as his Executor shall name it seems this Devise is not good Yet if it be for so many Years as A. B. shall name and he name a certain Number of Years in the Testators Life Time this is a good Devise 7 A Man possessed of a Term of Years may Devise all the Residue of that Term of Years that shall be to come at the Time of his death And if a Testator having only a Term of Years in certain Lands doth Devise the said Land to A. B. and doth not say for what Time it seems that by this Devise the whole Term is devised unless the Testators Intent doth appear to be otherwise 8. A Man possessed of a Term for 40. Years by his Will Deviseth the same to I. S. after the death of his Wife and that the Wife should enjoy it during her life and that I. S. should neither Devise it nor Sell it but leave it to descend to his Son and in the mean Time my Will is That my Wife shall have the use thereof during her life yielding 10 l. Yearly to I. S. during her life at Two Feasts and made his Wife Executrix and dyed The Wife entered and paid the 10 l. Yearly according to the Will In this Case Three Points are Resolved 1 That I. S. doth not take by way of Remainder but by way of Executory Devise And a Man may Devise such an Estate by his Will which he cannot make by Act executed And that the Case is no more but this That after the death of I. S. the Wife should have the Residue of the Term. 2 The Devise is good being but a Chattel which may vest and devest at the pleasure of the Devisor 3 That there is no difference when one Deviseth his Term the Remainder over and when a Man Deviseth his Land or his Lease or the Use or Occupation or the Profits of his Land That a Man by his Will may Create an Interest which by Grant or Conveyance he cannot Create in his life Time 9. A. Devised his Lands to his Daughter and her Heirs when she came to the Age of 18. Years and that the Wife should take the Profits of the Land to her Use without any accompt to be made until the Daughter come to 18. Years and made his Wife his Executrix and dyed provided the Wife should pay the old Rents and find the Daughter at School the Wife enters proves the Will takes Husband and dyes It was found that all the Conditions were performed and that the Daughter was within the Age of 18. Years It was Resolved in this Case That it was a Term for Years in the Wife and a good Lease 10. A Man was Lessee for 40. Years of a House and by his Will gave the House to I. S. without limiting any Estate That he should have in it It was the Opinion of the Court That he should have the whole for no other Estate in the House either for Life or at Will shall pass by Implication or for one Year
right Heirs and after the Grantor Devise the Land to a Stranger in Fee and die the Heir of the Devisor may Devise the Remainder of the Rent in Fee 18. A Lease for Term of 100. Years is made to a Bishop and his Successors he maketh a Lease for life Rendring Rent to him and his Successors and after he Deviseth the Reversion with the Rent in Fee this is a good Devise for the Reversion but not for the Rent 19. If a Man having Two Sons and a Daughter Devise his Land to his Wife for Seven Years the Remainder to his Younger Son and his Heirs and if either of the said Two Sons die without Issue of their Bodies the Remainder to the Daughter and her Heirs and the Younger Son die in the life Time of the Father and after the Father die in this case and by this Devise the Daughter hath a good Remainder but it seems the Elder Son hath first an Estate Tail by the Intent of the Devisor 20. If Land be Devised to A. for life the Remainder to B. for life the Remainder to I. S. in Fee in this Case if B. be a Person incapable of a Devise then he in the Remainder in Fee shall take presently after the first Estate for life ended And if the Devise be to a Person incapable for life the Remainder to I. S. in Fee then shall I. S. take presently 21. If a Man Devise his Land to two persons by name and the Heirs of either of their Two Bodies and for default of such Issue the Remainder to the right Heirs of the Devisor after the Devisors death one of the said Devisees dies without Issue the other Devisee hath Issue and dyeth In this Case and by this Devise the issue of such surviving Devisee shall have a Moity and no more of the Land 22. A Lease is made to I. S. for the Term of the life of I. N. the Remainder to the same I. N. for Term of life of the said I. S. I. N. in Remainder releaseth all his right to the said I. S. and dyeth In this Case the Lessor may Devise the Reversion And if a Man who hath a Reversion Deviseth this Reversion by the name of all his Inheritance or Hereditaments in D. it is a good Devise 23. If a Man having Issue Three Sons A. B. and C. doth Devise his Land to C. the Remainder to the next of Blood to the Testator In this Case and by this Devise A. shall have the Land after the death of C. as the next of Blood Likewise if a Man having Four Daughters Devise his Land to the Youngest in Tail the Remainder to the next of Blood by this Devise the Eldest Daughter and not all the rest shall have the Land after the Estate Tail Also if a Man hath Two Sons and a Daughter who hath Two Daughters Devise his Land to a Stranger for life the Remainder to his second Son for life the Remainder in Fee to the next of Blood to his Son in this Case if the Eldest Son die without Issue the Daughter and her Daughters shall have the Land 24. If Land be Devised to A. for life the Remainder to B. and the Heirs of his Body the Remainder to C. D. and his Wife and after to their Children by this Devise C. D. and his Wife have Estates for their Lives only and their Children after them Estates for their Lives Joyntly And albeit they have no Children at the Time yet every Child they shall have after may take by way of Remainder If one Devise his Land in this manner viz. I give my Land to A. in Fee-simple after his decease to B. his Son who is his Heir apparent By this Devise A. hath an Estate for life first the Remainder to his Son for his life the Remainder to the Heir of A. in Fee-simple One Devised his Land to I. S. from Michaelmas following for five Years Remainder after the Plaintiff and his Heirs He dyed before Michaelmas The Question was Whether this were a good Remainder Because it could not enure instantly by his death for it may not begin until the particular Estate which was not to begin till after Michaelmas and a Freehold cannot be in Expectancy But all the Court held That it very well might Expect For in Case of a Devise the Free-hold in the mean Time shall descend to the Heir and vest in him Wherefore without Argument it was Adjudged accordingly and that the Remainder was good If one Devise a Personal Chattel to one for life the Remainder over to another it is a void Remainder If a Man Devise a Term to one for life the Remainder to another for life with divers Remainders over The Executors Consent to the first Devisee will be a Consent as to all the other Remainders Or in Case a Man Devise a Term to one and a Rent thence issuing to another and dies the Executors Consent to the Devise of the Term is an Assent also as to the Rent If an Estate be given to the Husband and Wife and the Heirs of their Two Bodies the Remainder to the right Heirs of the Husband he may Devise that Remainder to his Wife CHAP. XIV Touching Devises of Lands with Limitations and upon Condition 1. The Condition of a Devise of Land not written in the Testators Life Time makes the whole Devise as void as if the Devise it self had not been written 2. A Fee-simple of Remainder upon Condition by way of Devise 3. In what Case the Executors of a substituted Devisee cannot claim the Lands Devised under Limitations 4. A Condition or Limitation may not continue a Devised Estate for part and defeat it for the residue 5. In what Case the word Paying shall be construed only as a Limitation and not as a Condition 6. Not he in Remainder but the Heir shall take the advantage of a Condition broken annexed to a Devise of Lands 7. A Condition or Proviso contrary to Law is a void Condition 8. The Heir may enter upon a breach of Condition notwithstanding a failure of somewhat that ought to have been done by a Third Person 9. The Heir may not enter where it is but a Limitation and not a Condition 10. If the Condition be That a Lessee shall not Demise the Premises for above one Year and he Devise the Premises it is a breach of the Condition 11. Lands Devised upon Condition of superstitious Vses are vested in the Crown 1. IF a Man give order for the writing a Devise of his Land to A. B. upon Condition and the Devise to him be accordingly written but the Testator dyeth before the writing of the Condition in this Case the whole Devise to A. B. is void And as in the case of Goods and Chattels conditionally bequeathed the Executor shall keep the Thing until the Condition be performed and after the Condition broken shall take advantage thereof So
in Case of Lands Conditionally devised to one and his Heirs for ever or for life the Heir of the Devisor shall keep the Land till the contingent Condition happen to take effect 2. If one Devise Land of the value of 100 l. per annum to A. for life the Remainder to B. paying 50 l. to C. by this Devise B. shall have the Fee-simple of the Remainder upon Condition 3. If one Devise his Land to his Wife for her life and if she live till his Son come to the Age of 25. Years that then he shall have the Land and if she die before he comes to that Age that then A. B. shall have it till his Son come to that Age. A. B. dies before the Wife and after she dies before the Son comes to the Age of 25. Years In this Case the Executors of A. B. shall not have the Land till the Son comes to the Age of 25. Years 4. A. Seised of Lands in Fee had Issue Six Sons and one Daughter and Devised the said Lands to I. S. for 90. Years if the said I. S. and G. his Wife or any of them should so long live the Remainder to P. his Eldest Son and the Heirs Male of his Body the Remainder to these other Sons the Remainder to his Daughter Provided that if the said P. his Son or any of the Sons of the said Devisor or any of the Heirs Males of their Body should endeavour by any Act to Alien Bargain or Discontinue then after such Attempt or Endeavour and before any such Bargain Sale c. were Executed that the Estate of such person attempting c. should cease as if he were naturally dead and that then the Premises should descend remain and come to such person to whom the same ought to come remain and be by the intent and meaning of his Will and dyed P. Levyed a Fine of the Lands he in the next Remainder entered and claimed the Reversion by force of the Devise It was Adjudged in this Case That the Conuzee had the Reversion in him and might maintain an Action of wast because the Proviso of Restraint in the Will of A. was void and repugnant to Law and a Proviso Condition or Limitation ought to defeat the whole Estate and it cannot continue it for part and defeat it for the Residue 5. A Copy-holder of Lands in Borough-English having Three Sons and one Daughter Deviseth his Lands to his Eldest Son paying to his Daughter and every one of his other Sons Five Pounds within Two Years and surrendred to the use of his Will The Eldest Son was admitted and did not pay the Five Pounds within Two Years In this Case it was Resolved 1 That although the yearly Profits of the Lands for Two Year did exceed the Money to be paid yet the Eldest Son had a Fee-simple 2 Although this word Paying in the Case of a Will makes a Condition yet in this Case the Law shall Construe this unapt word Paying a Limitation For if it should be a Condition the same should descend to the Eldest Son and then it should be at his pleasure whether the Daughter or Brothers should be paid or not and therefore in this Case the Law should judg the same a Limitation of which the youngest Son should take advantage 6. A Man Devised Lands to his Wife upon Condition that she should bring up his Son at School c. and that after the death of his Wife the Land should remain to his second Son in Fee and dyed The Wife entered the Condition was broken the Eldest Son after his full Age entered for the Condition broken in this Case it was held 1 That a Condition might be annexed to a will by the Stat. of 32. H. 8. of Wills which gives liberty to a Man to Devise for the advancement of his Wife c. That a particular Estate may be upon Condition though the Remainder be without Condition 3 That he in the Remainder should not take advantage of the Condition but the Heir because he is prejudiced in the Inheritance by the Devise 7. If a Man make Two Men his Executors Proviso that one of them shall not Administer his Goods the Proviso is void because it restrains the Authority which was given by the first part of the will and agrees not with the Law for by Law every Executor may Administer the Goods And such was the Opinion of Baldwin and Egglesfield But Fitzh conceived the Proviso to be good for that he might bring an Action although he did not Administer 8. A Man Seised of Tenements in London Devised the same to Two Persons upon Condition that they should pay to his Wife 10 l. per annum issuing out of the said Tenements at Two Feasts and if the Rent be behind by the space of Six Weeks being demanded that it should be lawful for the Wife to distrain It was held a good Condition and that if the Rent be behind yet the Wife cannot distrain before a demand of the Rent but the Heir of the Husband might enter for the condition broken though the Wife did not demand the Rent A Man Devised his Land to his Younger Son when he should accomplish the Age of 24. Years upon Condition that he should pay 20 l. to the Daughter of the Devisor and if he shall die before the Age of 24. Years then his Eldest Son shall have the Land upon Condition that he pay the said 20 l. and if both his Sons failed that the Land should remain to his Daughter and dyed The Younger Son entered after 24. Years of Age and did not pay the 20 l. to the Daughter the Eldest Brother entered upon him It was Resolved by the Court in this Case That the same was a Limitation and not a Condition and therefore the entry of the Elder Brother was not lawful 10. A Man made a Lease for Years upon Condition That if the Lessee shall Demise the Premises or any part of it other than for one Year to any person or persons then the Lessor and his Heirs to re-enter the Lessee afterwards Devised it by his Will to his Son It was held by the Court That it was a breach of the Condition 11. If Lands be Devised upon Condition of superstitious Uses as to find a Chaplain to say Mass or the like superstitious Uses mentioned in the Will the Remainder over for the like Uses and if they in Remainder perform not the Condition then to forfeit their Estate and the Lands to remain to the right Heirs of the Devisor In this Case it was held That although the Land was Devised but Conditionally to find a Priest to say Mass yet that it was within the Stat. of 1. Ed. 6. Cap. 13. whereby the Lands were vested in the Crown because the said Uses were superstitious Uses to which the Condition of the Devised Lands did refer F. C. Seised of the Mannor of S.
Executors who Refuse to Administer the Goods may yet sell the Testators Lands Devised to be sold 15. Lands Devised to be sold by Executors the one Refusing the other may sell but not to the Refuser 16. A Sale by some only of the Executors is void where there is a special and Joynt-Trust 17. The Difference between an Authority and an Interest in Executors in point of Sale 1. IN all Cases of Devises of Land to Executors to sell the same it is most Prudential to make it as clear and certain as may be that is That the Executors or the Survivor of them or such or so many of them as take upon them the Probat of the Will if his intent be so shall sell it And it is safer to give only an Authority than an Estate unless his meaning be that they shall take the Profits of the Land until the sale And if he do so then it is Requisite that he Appoint that the mean Profits until the Sale shall be Assets in their hands for otherwise it shall not be so 2. If one Devise Land to others to the intent that with the Profits thereof they shall Educate Children or pay such Sums of Money or the like In this case the Devisees must do accordingly or they may be compelled thereunto And Regularly the Heir and not a Stranger shall take the Advantage of a Breach of a Condition annexed to Devises touching sale of Lands And therefore if one Devise Land to another and his Heirs Provided that he pay 100 l. to A. B. Otherwise that the Land shall remain to C. D. and his Heirs in this case if the Devisee do not pay the Money C. D. shall not take Advantage of it nor have the Land according to the Devise but the Heir of the Devisor shall enter and have it and Eject the Devisee 3. If the Testator intending to have his Land or part thereof sold for the payment of Debts or Legacies doth Devise the same in this manner viz. I will that my Executors or that A. B. and C. my Executors shall sell my Land In this case the Executors have only an Authority and no Interest For which reason the Land in the mean time Descends to the. Heir of the Devisor who shall enjoy the Profits thereof until it be sold In which case also the Executors may sell it when they please unless they be hastned thereto by order of Court And are all to joyn in the Sale Insomuch that if one or more of them dye before the Sale the surviving Executors or the Executors of the deceased Executors may not sell it by this Authority The Case is the same if any of the Executors Refuse the charge of the Will in which Case the rest of the Executors which accept the said charge may not alone sell the Land unless the words in the Will be That his Executors or some of them shall sell it But now by the Stat. of 21. H. 8. cap. 4. Some of them may sell it without the rest in case any of the Executors dye before the Sale 4. But if the Testator Devise the Land in this manner viz. I give my Land to my Executors to be sold c. In this case the Exeeutors have as well an Interest in the Land as an Authority to sell it And therefore it doth not here descend unto the Heir as in the former case but the Executors shall keep it till the Sale and may sell it when they will so as it be within any competent or convenient time for otherwise the Heir may Enter and Eject them by a Condition in Law annexed to the Interest And in this case the mean Profits until the Sale is no Assets but the Money or Proceed upon the Sale shall be Assets in their hands And in this case if before the Sale one or more of the Executors dye or refuse the rest may sell it for the Estate surviveth But it is supposed they may not sell to him that doth refuse the charge of the Will Neither may they in either of these Cases transfer their power of selling to any other nor keep the Land themselves though they pay the value thereof with their own Money 5. If the Devise be that the Executors shall sell with the Assent of A. B. in this case if A. B. dye before he Assent the Executors can not sell and in his life-time they can not sell without his Assent And if one Deviseth that his Lands shall be sold to pay his Debts and say not by whom in this case it shall be sold by his Executors Or if one Devise all his Land except Ten Acres which he doth appoint to pay his Debts by this Devise his Executors or the survivor of them may sell the said Ten Acres But if one say by his Will that A. B. shall have as well the Guardianship and Education of his Children as the disposing letting and setting of his Lands in this case A. B. hath not power to sell the Land Or if one Devise that his Land shall be sold after his Wife's death by his Executors with the Assent of A. B. And make his Wife and another his Executors and dye and after A. B. dye In this case the Land can not be sold for the Authority is determined 6. Suppose a man seised in Fee of a Messuage with which certain Lands have been occupied time out of mind give his Instructions for the making of his Will inter alia declares That his meaning is that his said Messuage and all his Lands in W. shall be sold by his Executors And the party that writes his Will Pens it in this manner viz. I will that my house with all the Appurtenances shall be sold by my Executors the Devisor dyes The Executors sell part of the Lands By this Devise such Sale is good and the Lands do pass for the words with all the Appurtenances are effectual to enforce the Devise and extend to all the Lands specially because the Devisor gave Instructions accordingly 7. A Copy-holder Deviseth his Land to his Wife for her life and that after his death the Wife or her Executors should sell the Land and Surrendred to the use of his Will which was Entered thus viz. To the use of his Wife for life Secundum formam ultimae voluntatis In this Case she hath an Estate in the Land to her own use for her life and also an Estate in Fee to sell it otherwise the clause secundum formam ultimae voluntatis should be void 8. A man Deviseth by his Will his Lands to his Wife and if she have Issue by the Devisor that his Issue shall have it at his age of 21 years and if the Issue dye before that age or before his Wife or if she have no Issue that then she shall choose two Atturneys and she to make a Bill of Sale of any Lands to her best Advantage In
there A Stranger Disseises the Devisor if he die before Re-entry the Devise is void If there be divers Devises of one thing in the same Will the last Devise shall take effect Co. Lit. 112. b. If a Man Seised in Fee Devise the same to I. S. in Fee and afterwards makes a Lease thereof to I. D. for Years this is no Revocation of the Fee but only during the Years Also if afterwards he devise that Lease to another for Life yet that is not any Revocation of the Fee but only during the Estate for Life If a Man possessed of a Term for 40. Years Devise the same to his Wife and after Lease the Land to another for 20. Years and die that Lease is not a Revocation of the whole Estate but only during the 20. Years and the Wife shall have the Residue by the Devise It appears therefore that a Legacy may indirectly and by Implication be Revoked as well as directly and expresly also in part as well as in whole and the Will may stand where Legacies in that Will do not In a Replevin upon Evidence given the Case was this I. W. was Seised of the Lands in Question and of divers other Lands and by his last Will Devised all his Lands and Tenements to A. W. of London in Fee After which he made a Feofment in Fee of the same Lands which he had Devised to the said A. and when he Sealed the Feofment he demanded and said will not this hurt my Will To which it was Answered That it would not And he said If this will not hurt my Will I will Seal it and then he Sealed it and a Letter of Atturney to make Livery The Atturney made Livery in some of the Lands but not in the Lands in Question afterwards the Testator dyed It was said That the Feofment was a Revocation for if the Testator had said That this shall not be his Will then it had been a plain Revocation and then the making of the Feofment is as much as to say That the Will shall not stand But it was Answered and Resolved by the whole Court That it Appeared That the mind of the Testator was That his Will should stand and when he made the Feofment this was a Revocation in Law and here is no Revocation in Deed For he said If this will not hurt my Will I will Seal it And although that the Atturney made Livery in part so as the Feofment was perfect in part yet for the Lands in Question whereof no Livery was made the Will shall stand for a Will may be effectual for part and for part it may be Revoked and the Court told the Jury That this was their Opinion and the Jury found accordingly The Case in Chancery was this C. E. the Testator 15. Jac. made his Will in Writing and thereby Devised Legacies to Charitable Uses and to R. and W. his Brothers viz. to one 100 l. and to the other 1000 l. and other Legacies to his Kindred and made his Wife his Executrix and Appointed his two Brothers to be joyned with her as Executors in Trust for his Wife afterwards 22. Jac. he sent for several Persons to come to him when they came they demanded of him What Friend he thought best to be his Executor and to see his Will performed and whether he Trusted any Person more than his Wife He Answered That his Wife was the fittest Person and therefore should be his Sole Executrix Being then moved to give other Legacies to his Father Brethren and Kindred He Answered He would not leave them any thing But Bequeathed to I. S. his God-son 30 s. And being Requested by his Wife to give him a greater Legacy He Answered Thou knowest not what thou doest do not wrong thy self 30 s. is Money in a Poor Bodies Purse And the Testator spake these words Animo Testandi ultimam voluntatem declarandi And all this was set down in a Codicil And the first Will and the Codicil was proved in Communi forma Whether this Codicil was a Revocation of the Legacy given to the Two Brothers was the Question It was Resolved both by the Civilians and by the Judges of the Common Law That it was not a Revocation of the Legacies Their Reasons were Because there was an Absolute Formal Will made in his Health and there being no Speech made by him of his Formal Will nor of the Legacies thereby Devised The Answer to a Doubtful Question shall not take the Legacies before Devised And his Answering I will not give them any thing Upon such Doubtfull Speeches to Nullifie a Will advisedly made shall not be permitted without clear and perspicuous Revocation or words that do amount to so much And thereupon upon this Opinion of the Civilians and Judges the Lord Keeper Decreed the Legacies to the Brothers the Codicil having made no Revocation of them CHAP. XXVI Certain Positions or Assertions of Law for the better understanding of this Subject of Legacies and Devises with certain mixt Cases touching the same 1. IF the words of the Legacy be Doubtful or Ambiguous the Motive inducing the Testator or the Cause of the Legacy is specially to be inspected 2. In Cases Doubtful whether the Legacy be given Absolutely or Conditionally it shall be presumed as Pure Simple and Absolute rather than Conditional 3. In a Legacy Doubtful as to its value for want of some discriminating description thereof by the Testator that which is of the least value belongs to the Legatary 4. Likewise in all Dubious Legacies as to the Quantity thereof the least is generally to be understood 5. A Doubtfull Legacy relating to Goods shall be understood of such only as the Testator had at the making of the Testament for the clearing whereof the Law casts the onus probandi on the Legatary 6. Where the Doubt arises from the Testators words the Ambiguity shall be interpreted in favour of the Legatary 7. In the Interpretation of Legacies the common usage of Speech is more to be considered than the exact propriety of the words 8. Also the Testators sense and meaning is more to be considered than his words 9. The Testators words are to be understood rather as he thought then as he spake or writ that is the effect of the Testament is guided governed and over-ruled more by the Testators Opinion than as things are in themselves 10. When the Testators words of Bequeathing seem to interfere one with another the latter words shall for the most part prevail Yet not always so there are some Cases wherein Contrarium verum est 11. When the Testators mind and meaning is not as intelligible as it should be hold his words before the Glass of the Law to make it as visible as it may be the Law is the best and indeed the only interpreter in all such Cases 12. An imperfect Speech in Bequeathing a Legacy may
a Legacy whether it may be by an Administrator Durante Minoritate 67. § 3. Assets charging Executors p. 118 c. What Ibid. § 1. Whether Dammages recovered by Executors shall be Assets p. 119 120. § 2. Whether an Advowson be Assets p. 122. § 8. How reall Chattels may turn into Personall Assets p. 123. § 9. Goods in Ireland are Assets p. 125. § ult Goods fraudulently Conveyed though in a Strangers hand shall be Assets p. 126 127. § ult Mortgages redeemed by Executors are Assets p. 120. § 3. Encrease be Merchandizing with the Testators Goods are Assets Ibid § 4. Whether the Profits of Land Devised to be Sold be Assets p. 139. § 2. In what Sense Lands Devised to be Sold for payment of Debts or Legacies may be said to be Assets or not p. 121 122. § 6. The mean Profits of Land Devised to be Sold by Executors no Assets in their hands unless specially so appointed by the Testator p. 273. § 1. But the proceed of the Sale shall be Assets in them Ibid. § 4. Money decreed in Chancery to an Executor may be Assets p. 112. § ult And Dammages Recovered shall be Assets Ibid. Goods Distrained or Impounded are no Assets p. 111. Debts till Recovered or Released are no Assets p. 121. § 5. Goods of a Testator as Executor Indebted are not Assets lyable to his Debts in such Executors Executor p. 122. § 7. Goods retained by a Debtee-Executor no Assets as to Creditors p. 123. § 10. Other Mens Goods in the Testators possession no Assets in the Executors hands p. 123. § 11. The Testators Debts paid with the Executors own Money abate the Assets as to so much p. 112 113. § 12. Assumpsit Actions thereon by or against Executors p. 103 104. § ult p. 107. § 5. B. Bastards whether they may be Legataries p. 206 208. § 4. § ult Birds Bequeathed what passeth thereby p. 441. § 60. Bishop he may not Devise the Land belonging to his Bishoprick p. 225. § 3. A Devise given to a Bishop not naming him and he dying before the day of Payment comes the Legacy accrews to his Successors p. 448. § 105. Blind Men are nuncupatively Testable how otherwise Testable p. 19 20. Bona Notabilia what p. 43. § 1. The Law touching the same p. Ibid. to p. 46. Bona Paraphernalia what and to whom belonging p. 85. § 1. Bonds and Specialties Devised what it signifies p. 448. § 103. Books Devised others after bought what shall the Legatary have p. 447. § 96. Books of Account and Cash in the Chest pass not by a generall Devise of all a Man hath in such a place p. 302. § 5 By a certain Number of Books Bequeathed is intended so many Volumes not Computing severall Books in one Volume p 302. § 6. p. 442. § 62. Borough Tenure and by Custome Devisable pass by Will Nuncupative p. 5. § 3. p. 224. § 1. C. Captives actually such are Intestable p. 14 15. § 2. Cattell what is to be understood by a Bequest thereof and by that name 441. § 55. Cause which is false whether it viciates a Legacy p. 214. § 2. Chattels what the several kinds thereof p. 79 c. § 1. Reall Living and Moveable Ibid. § 2. Reall Inanimate and Immoveable Ibid. § 3. Personall Living and Immoveable Ibid. § 4. Personall Inanimate and Moveable Ibid. § 5. Chattels not Entailable Ibid. § 6. Chattels Reall and Personall what p. 301. § 2 Chattels Devised for an hour are Devised for ever p. 301. § 1. Several Cases in Law touching Devises of Reall Chattels p. 285 to 301. The like touching Personall Chattels p. 301 to 306. Chests Containing writings of Inheritance if lock'd do belong to the Heir unlock'd to the Executor p. 82. § 6. Child in the Womb may be appointed Executor p. 67. § 1. Also a Legatary or Devisee p. 208. § 3. p. 283. § 1. p. 315. § 13. The Devise is good though the Infant be ript alive out of the Womb. p. 284. § 2. Good though it be a Devise in Remainder or in Tail Ibid. § 3. How the Divident shall be in case of Twinns unexpected Ibid. § 4 5. And what the Law in case of Hermophroditality Ibid. § 4. What the Law in case a Legacy being given it prove a Monstrous Birth p 448 449. § 106. Child unborn at the Testators death may share in the Legacy with those in being when the Testator dyed p 447 § 99. A Child in the Womb made Collegatary with one out of it and after Born dead what proportion of the Legacy shall the living Child have p 448 § 101. Testaments made in favour of the Testators Children their Priviledges p 8 § 3. Cases of Legacies in Reference to the Children of Testators or others p 313 314 § 5 6. Circumstances not Restrictive nor joyned to the Legacy or Devise ought not to deteriorate the same 290 § 14. Codicil what p 9. It s Etymon and Definition Ibid. § 1 2. Codicils when how how many and by whom they may be made Ibid § 3 4. Co-executors how Constituted p 51 52. They must all be joyned in Suit p 108 § 6. In what Case they may Sue one another p 101 102 § 5. Their Indivisibility in point af Power Interest and Pleadings p 86 c. If anyone of them be a Debtor to the Testator it amounts to a Release p 75. § 2. Comminalty not Incorporate by the Kings Charter is incapable to take by a Devise p 206 § 2. Conditio what p 23 § 3. The several Marks and Kinds thereof p Ibid c. The Subject thereof very voluminous in Law Ibid § 1. Several Questions in Law touching Conditions Resolved p 26 § 4. Conditio Modus how they differ p 23 § 3 p 215 216 § 4 Condition in suspence how then to proceed p 28 29. Their several kinds and Resemblances incident to Legacies p 213 to 217. Whether a false Condition shall prejudice a Legacy p 215 § 3. Conditions may be implyed as well as expressed p 305 § 19. Implicite Conditions require Conditional Explications Ibid. Conditions Personall in the Legatary are not transferrable to his Executor p 443 444 § 76 77 Tacite Conditions in reference to the Executors Assent p 312 § 2 What words sufficient to express or imply a Condition p. 23. § 2. Condition to be annexed to a Devise of Lands not written in the Devisors life time makes void the whole Devise p 266 267 § 1. It cannot continue a Devised Estate for part and defeat it for the residue p 267 § 4. Being annexed to a Devise of Lands and broken the Heir not he in Remainder shall take advantage thereof p 268 § 6 8. Yet he may not enter where it is only a Limitation not a Condition p. 268 269 § 9. A Condition contrary to Law is void p 268 § 7. Devising may be a breach of the Condition of not Devising p 269 § 10.
10. By Devising the Bents § Ibid. By a Generall Implication p 244 § 11. Whether Fee-simple passeth in a Will by the Word Assigns without the Word Forever p. 242. § 5. Fee-simple Devised to one is not Devisable to another by the same Will p. 243. § 9. Fee and not Leases and Leases and not Fee in what Cases and by what words pass by a Devise p. 244. § 12. Fee of Land Devised to one the Rent thereof to another what the Civil Law in that Case p. 295. § 34. The Devise of a House though by the word Fee-simple thereof may pass only an Estate for life p. 255 256. § ult Felo dese Intestable as to Goods and Chattels not so as to his Lands p. 226. § 3. Felons under Attainder are Intestable p. Ibid § 3. They are not Intestable before Conviction p 20 21. § 2. They are Incepable of a Legacy p 206. § 2. The Qualifications thereof Ibid. Feme Covert she may without her Husbands consent make an Executor of those Goods whereof her self is Executrix or which she hath as Executrix p 226. § 3. Yet she cannot Devise them by Will Ibid. Being Executrix and under that Notion receiving Money she may release without her Husband p. 71. § ult Whether she may be a Legatary to her own Husband p 208. § 3. She may not Devise Lands to her own Husband nor unto others either with or without his consent p 205. § 1. 226. § 3. vid. Women Covert Feme Sole her Devise to him whom she after marries is void p 281 282. § 13. Field if Devised the Edifice thereon passeth therewith p. 295. § 33. Fraud or Covin in an Executors Payments shall not prejudice the Creditors p. 147. § 11. Fraudulent Recoveries no Barre to Creditors p 108. § 7. p. 113. § ult Freehold Devised not Cognizable before the Ordinary p 205. § 4. G. Garden passeth by the Devise of a House p 237. in prin Gavelkind Lands Devisable by Custom p 224. § 1. An Estate-Tail thereof Devised p 251. § ult Goods What shall pass by a Devise of all Goods Chattels Moveables and Immoveables p 289. § 7. Goods in generall Devised what shall pass under that Notion p 306 307. § 1. Goods in Common Devised by Implication p 302. § 3. Grantees may be Devisees p 226. § 4. Ground Devised the Edifice thereon passeth thereby although Erected after the Devise made p 297. § 42. The Ground whereon a House stood which is after burnt belongs to the Devisee or Legatary p 304. § 14. H. Habendum how to be construed in a doubtfull Case of Devises p 243. § 7. Have or the word I have in what case it shall be taken in the Present Tense p. 295 § ult Heire the different Acceptations of that word in the Civil and Common Law p 202 § 1. In what case he may enter upon Lands Devised to be Sold. p. 139. § 3. In what case he and not the Executor shall have the mean Profits of Land Devised to be Sold. p 273 § 3. He shall take the Advantage of a Condition broken that is annexed to a Devise of Land Ibid § 2. A Devise to one and his Heir in the Singular Number is but a Devise for Life p 253 § 3. The Heirs Rights exclusively to the Executons p 83. In what case Heirs shall not take by a Devise though they are therein mentioned p 238 239 § ult In what case a Devise by that Word Heirs shall yet go to the Executors p 257 258 § 1 3. Hereticks in what Sense Testable or not p. 21 § 3. They are Incapable of a Legacy p 206. § 2. The Qualifications thereof Ibid Horse one Devised to two Persons how the Divident to be apportioned p. 304. § 15. By a Bequest of Horses shall Mares pass if the Testator had no Horses p 303. § 10. Hospital-Lands or their Rents-Arreare not Deviseable p 225. § 3. House Devised when the Testator had none or many or burnt or ruin'd pull'd down demolished or re-edisied The Law in such cases p 294 § 27 p 296 § 39. House Devised with all things therein how that shall be understood p. Ibid. § 31 p 302 303 § 7. The Ground whereon stood a House Devised and after burnt is the Legataries p 304. § 14. Houses are Devisable under the Notion of Lands p 224. § 2. p. 301. § ult Two Houses and but one Stable betwixt them with which House Devised shall the Stable pass p 294. § 30. Husband being neither Executor nor Administrator to his Wife is not liable for her Debts after her decease p. 130. § 5. J. Ideots Intestable the Qualifications thereof p. 12 13 § 3 6 p 14 § ult Jewels Bequeathed what pass under that Notion or not in a Devise p. 306 § ult In what case they are not to be put into the Inventory p. 99. § ult If in what cases that word amounts not to a Condition p. 216 § ult Implication sufficient whereby to pass a Legacy or Devise p. 235 in fin Whether Legacies may pass by an Implication of a contrary Condition p. 211 § 5. Impertinences destroy not Legacies p. 209 210 § 2. Impossibilities only seemingly such no prejudice to a Legacy p. 304 305 § 16. What Impossibility destroys a Legacy p 439 § 35. Impossibility imposed on the Condition of a Legacy voids the Condition but not the Legacy p 325 § 13. Incapacity in the Legatary how many ways it may happen p. 341 § 22. Incestuous Persons how far Testable or not p. 21 § 5. Infant incapable of Devising p. 289 § 10. Whether a new Publication after Minority gives life to a Devise that had none before Ibid. Infant under the Age of 21 Years may not Devise Land p. 226 § 3. Infant in the Womb whether capable of being a Legatary or Devisee p. 208 § 3. Infant-Executor at what Age he may Administer p. 67 § 2. What his power is Ibid. § 3. He is bound by his own Release if he receive the Money p. 71 § 5. His Release not good p. 68 § 5. At what Age Administration granted during his Minority shall cease p. 67 § 2 p 69 § ult His Release without consideration void Ibid. In what case he may have an Action of Detinue but not of Accompt p 71. § fin Interpretation of a Devise ought to be with the fairest advantage for the Devisee p 290 § 15. Several Rules in Law touching the Interpretation of Testaments and Devises p. 437 c. Intestables their several kinds p. 10. Inventory whether it may be made by an Executor before Probate of the Will p. 95 § 5. Within what time it is to be Exhibited p. 97 98 § 1. How and wherefore it is to be made and what to be inserted therein p Ibid. § 2 3 Inventories may be over-ruled by a Jury p. 107 § 4. Joynt-Executors must be all joyn'd in Suit p. 108 § 6. vid. Co-executors
part not expressed is a Moiety implyed p. 293. § 23. p. 310. § 11. p. 441. § 49 50. Paying In what Sense that word shall be construed only as a Limitation not as a Condition p. 267 268. § 5. Payment not full in what case Equivalent to none at all p. 289. § 11. PiousVses Testaments to that end their Priviledges p. 8. § 4. Poor disagreement among the DD. touching Legacies to the Poor in such generall words p. 291. § 18. Pope whether he may alter the Wills of Testators p. 149. § 107. Portion of Goods not expressing what proportion Bequeathed signifies 〈◊〉 Mâ—ity p. 447. § 100. Portions or Filiall Portions the Law in that case p. 167 c. Possibilities in Expectation are Devisable as well as Possessions in Actual Demes 〈…〉 es p 311 § ult Presentations void not Devisable p 288 § 5. To whom belongs the Presentation in case of Intestation p 82 § 6. Prisoners In what Sense said to be Intestable or not p 15 § 3. Priviledged Testaments what the severall kinds thereof p. 7 § 1. Probate of Testaments the Law thereof when where how by and before whom with the Fees thereof p. 35 c. In what case the Executor may be compelled to Prove the Will notwithstanding his former refusall and thereupon Letters of Administration granted to another p. 165 § 2. What Proof Requisite for the Probate of a Will p. 40. c. Prohibition in what Cases it doth not lie p 113 § 7. In what Cases touching Lands Devised to be Sold a Prohibition may lie or not p 275 § 9. It doth not lie in case of the Husbands Release for the Wives Legacy p. 282 § ult R. Recovery by Fraud against an Executor no Plea in Barre to a just Debt p 108 109 § 7. Refusalls to Prove the Will p 39 40 § 6. How to Proceed in case of Refusall of Executorship p. 91 92 § 1. It is no absolute Barre to a Subsequent Administration p Ibid. § 3. It may be done by a Letter Extrajudicially as well as by a Judiciall Act. p 93 § ult How Refusers to Administer may yet afterwards be admitted or excluded p. 163 § ult Refusall in one to take by a Devise shall not prejudice him in Reversion or Remainder p 263. § 9 13. Release or Discharge in what Sense it may be said to be Bequeathed p 322 § 3 p 439 § 32. To Release is a good word to Devise Lands by p 235 in fin A Release of Actions by an Administrator whose Letters of Administration are after Revoked is void p 216 § ult Action for Executors upon a a Release p. 103. § ult Remainders and Reversions Devised p 261 c. What of that kind may be Devised p Ibid § 1. Remainders and Cross-Remainders by Devise of Estate Tail p 252 § 11. With Implyed Remainders Ibid § 12. Remainders Entail'd by Devise and by Deed how they differ p 262 § 7. Remainders Devised to a Church accrews to the Parson thereof Ibid. § 8 He in Remainder or Reversion shall not be prejudiced by the Refusall of him that should take by a Devise p 263 § 9 13. How the Issue of the Daughters without naming them shall have the Devised Remainder in preference to the Issue of the Sons Ibid. § 10. Several Cases wherein he in Remainder may Devise his Remainder p Ibid. § 13. Reversion of Land for life may be Devised by the Lessor notwithstanding a Feoffment in Fee p 264 § 16. Remainder of a Rent-charge is Devisable to one where the Land out of which it arises is Devised to another Ibid. § 17. A Devise may be good for the Reversion of a Term where it is otherwise for the Rent p 264 § 18. Remainder Devised may be good where yet an Estate Tail precedes Ibid. § 19. He in Remainder may instantly take where the Devisee is incapable Ibid. § 20. Remainder may be Devised by one to his own right Heirs Ibid. § 21. Reversion may be Devised by the name of all a Mans Inheritances or Hereditaments p. 265 § 22. Remainder Devised to the next of Blood Ibid. § 23. In what case Remainder after Remainder makes the former Remainder but an Estate for Life p. Ibid. § 24. Remainders Devised what void p 261. § 2 p 262 § 3 to 6 p 264 § 15. A Hundred Years to come Devised for Life the Remainder over is a void Remainder p. 263 § 11. Remainder in Fee after a Lease Devised by him in Remainder is a void Remainder if the Lessor Re-enter Ibid § 12. Remainder after a Fee Devised is Indeviseable albeit such Devise were but Conditional p 263 § 14. A Term of Years by way of Remainder is Devisable but a Devise by way of Entail with remainders over is void p Ibid § 15. Rents Devised p 270 c. As Devisable as the Land itself Ibid § 1. They are Devisable for another mans life Ibid § 2. Rents issuing out of a Common not Devisable § 3. Several ways of Devising Rents § 4. Reversion of Rents Devised upon a false suggestion a void Devise p 271 § 5. Rent Devised in what case the Land it self doth thereby pass p 138 § ult What Rent not Devisable p 225 § 2. In what case the Rent is due to the Heir not to the Executor p 103 104 § ult Rent due to the Executors of the Husband of the Tenant in Dower Ibid. Rent of Land in Fee received by Executors no Assets because belonging to the Heir p 85 § 3. The Land-lords Rent is payable by the Executor for the Ground whose fruit for the Term may be Devised to another p 298 § 46. Residue of a Term is as Devisable as the Term it self p 258 § 7. Residuary-Regatary hath an Advantage when others Refuse p. 291 § 17. Retainer of a Testators Goods by an Executor to pay himself good p 133 § ult p 149 § ult Reviver of a Will Revoked p. 34 § 1. Revocations Testamentary the severall kinds thereof p 31 § 1. Revocations by Marriage Ibid § 2. Revocation of a Will by a Wife after Marriage whether good or not p. 236 § ult Whether Revocation of Administration may without any Sentence in Court be by the Bishop who granted it p 166 167 § ult Revocations of Legacies and Devises p 331 c. What amounts to a Revocation of a Devise of Land p 228 in fin Severall Cases in Law touching what shall amount to a Revocation or Countermand of a Legacy or Devise p. 443 § ult Four Cases wherein Legacies are irrevocable p 443 § 74. S. Sale of Lands Devised to be made by Executors p 273 c. with or without the Assent of others p 274. § 5. In what case it may or not be by one alone where there are Two or more Executors p 275 276 § 10 12. How it becomes void for want of sufficient Authority p 175 § 11. In what Case it may be made by
as 8 El. 4. 3. And Nichols Justice said That a Personal Action once suspended by the act of the party as here by the act of the Obligee in making the Wife of one of the Obligors his Executrix shall be Extinct for ever otherwise if by the act of Law And it seemed to the Court That by the last clause of the Devise of all his Goods to the Wife after his Debts and Legacies paid the Obligation passed to the Wife And inasmuch as that the duty and debt thereof is a thing in action which by our Law cannot be transferred by a Devise yet it shall enure as a Declaration of the intent of the Obligor that the debt is extinct and the Civil Law allows a Devise of debts due to the Testator to be good And it is averred in the Principal Case That the Debts and Legacies are all paid whereupon Judgement was given Quòd quaerens nihil capiat c. The suggestion was That whereas one was in debt to J. S. in Thirty pound who after by deed of Gift in his life-time conveyed all his Goods and Chattels to A. and after made the Plaintiff and B. his Executors and devised that the Plaintiff should pay out of the Thirty pound which he owed him Ten pound to the Defendant for a Legacy who brought the Plaintiff into the Ecclesiastical Court for the same where by the Law the Thirty pound debt is extinct by making the Plaintiff Executor and shewed that he had Proved the Will c. And per Curiam the Defendant shall have a Consultation forasmuch as the joynt-Executor hath no remedy to recover the Thirty pound against the Plaintiff his Co-Executor nor can have any Action for the same during the Plaintiffs life yet the debt not extinct but remains as Assets to any other Creditor as is 8 E. 4. And by the same reason that one debt shall satisfie another debt it shall satisfie a Legacy also and much the rather in regard the express intent of the Testator was to that purpose having precisely limited the Legacy to be paid out of the debt Quod not a per totam Curiam And Consultation was granted accordingly Yelv. Council for the Plaintiff CHAP. XII The general difference between an Executor and an Administrator and wherein they generally agree THey differ thus viz. An Executor is made either by the Testator or by his own Acts but an Administrator is appointed only by the Judge An Executor may appoint an Executor to the first Testator so cannot an Administrator yet a bare and meer Executor or a naked Executor to whom nothing is bequeathed in the Will made choice of meerly for his care and not at all for his profit cannot bequeath the Testators Goods in his Will by Legacies no more than an Administrator for these Goods are to be imployed only for the behoof of the Testator in which respect such Executor is accountable as well as an Administrator But of the Profits and Fruits which happen and arise of those Goods which belong to any as Executor he may make his Testament though not of the Goods themselves and so also in some cases may an Administrator They agree thus viz. An Administrator is entitled to all the Goods and Chattels of the Intestate as well as an Executor to all the Goods and Chattels that belonged to the Testator they are both alike liable to the payment of Debts and Legacies and they are both accountable These are the most general things wherein they differ and agree Their more particular agreements and disagreements are very many according to their distinct Beings Interests and Offices For which reason the Reader for his fuller satisfaction in this point is referred to his own Observations from the Contents of the several Chapters of this Testamentary Treatise CHAP. XIII Of the Executors Rights exclusively to the Heirs 1. The several divisions and distinctions of such things as come to the Executor and what Chattels are 2. Of such Chattels real living and moveable as accrew to the Executor 3. Of such Chattels real without life and immoveable as go to the Executor 4. Of Chattels personal living and moveable belonging to the Executor 5. Of Chattels personal without life and moveable pertaining to the Executor 6. Several Laws in reference to this subject 1. ALL things that come unto an Executor may be divided into things possessory and actually in the Testator or into things only in action and not actually in him and the things possessory may be divided into Chattels real and immoveable or into Chattels personal and moveable Again the possessory Chattels real may be divided into things living or into things without life Also the personal Chattels or Goods moveable may be divided into things living or things inanimate and without life There are also comprehensive of some of these Chattels principal and Chattels accessory that follow the principal So that Chattels are all possessions of Goods moveable and unmoveable except such as are in the nature of a Free-hold or parcel of it And they are called real or immoveable either because they are such in their own nature or because they appertain to something real by way of dependance as a Box with writings of Land the body of a Ward the fruit of a Tree or the Tree it self upon the Land or because they issue out of things immoveable and of a more real nature as Leases for years at Will Wardships Tenants Estates by Statute Merchant Staple or Elegit and Grants of the next Advowson 2. The Chattels Real Living and Moveable which did accrew to the Executor were such as these viz. Wardship being a real Chattel in respect of a Tenure of Land whereby was intended such Wardship as was by Knights Service and not such as is by Socage Tenure also a Villain for years as by Grant for a Term from him that had the Inheritance 3. The Chattels Real without Life and Immoveable that go to the Executors are generally and for the most part in Houses or Lands by Lease or extent upon Judgements Statutes or Recognizances or in things issuing out of Houses or Lands as Rents Commons and the like as arrerages of Rent behind at the Testators death also Advowsons Tithes Fairs Markets Profits of Leets and the like which the Testator had only for years Also the Title accrewed to the Crown upon Attainder of Felony where the party held not of the King viz. the Annum Diem Vastum that is power not only to take the Profits for a year but also to wast and demolish c. is but a Chattel And therefore though granted to one and his Heirs by the King yet shall go to the Executor not to the Heir Also a Lease for years determinable upon lives which is a Chattel and shall go to the Executor As also doth an Extent upon a Statute Likewise if a Termer for years grant his Term by Bequest or otherwise to A. and his Heirs
if A. dies his Executors not his Heirs shall have it for it is no Inheritance Or if such a Termer grant a Rent out of the Land to A. and his Heirs or the Heirs Male of his body yet shall it go to the Executor not to the Heir for it being derived out of a Chattel it self remains a meer Chattel and becomes not any Inheritance Also if a Rent be granted out of Land to one in Fee-Simple Fee-Taile for Life or Years and it be not paid to him in his life-time the Arrerages shall go to his Executor not to his Heir Or if a man seized of Land and possessed of a stock of Cattel Let it for Years and Covenant with the Lessee that he pay to Him and his Wife their Heirs and Assigns one hundred pound per annum during the Term in this Case after the death of the Lessor his Wife surviving him her Executor and not his Heir shall receive this payment Again if A. grant the next Presentation of the Church of B. unto D. In this Case if D. dies his Executor shall have it as a Chattel Not the Heir Or if A. grant a Lease for years of Land to D. and his Heirs and dies his Executor and not his Heir shall have this Term. And if A. possessed of a Term of years of Land grant it by Deed or give it by Will to D. and his Heirs or to D. and his Heirs Males or devise it by Will to B. for life the remainder to D. and his Heirs in these Cases D. shall have these Terms of years as Chattels and after his death his Executor shall have them Also if a Lessee for life make a Lease for years absolutely This in Law is a Lease for so many years if the life live so long and shall go to the Executor after his death And if one makes a Feoffment in Fee of Land the Feoffee covenanting to do divers things to the Feoffor and to forfeit five pound to him and his Heirs as oft as he shall fail performance and the Feoffee doth fail and break his Covenant divers wayes and the Feoffor dieth in this case his Executor not his Heir shall have and recover all the Forfeitures that are past and unpaid Also if any Goods or Chattels be granted to any Heads of Bodies Politick and their Successors their Executors and not their Successors shall have them In like manner if a Lease for years be made to a Bishop and his Successors and he die his Executor not his Successor is to have it 4. Among the living Chattels Personal that go to the Executor may be comprehended an Apprentice for years the interest of a Debtor in Execution for debt and in a Prisoner taken Jure belli Also Cattel of all kind yea and Fishes in a Pond Conies in a Warren Deer in a Park Pigeons in a Dove-house where the Testator was but a Termer or Lessee thereof for then they are to go to his Executor as Accessory Chattel following the State of their Principal viz. the Pond Warren Park and Dove-house Or if the Conies Pigeons or Deer were all tame they are then likewise to go to the Executor and not to the Heir so likewise are Hawkes reclaimed yea it is felony to steal Hawkes young in the Nest which implyes that they are Goods and belong to the Executor 5. Chattels Personal without life and moveable as all Householdstuff Implements and Utensils Money Plate Jewels Corn Pulse Hay Wood felled Wares Merchandise Ships Carts Plows Coaches c. are evident to belong to the Executor not to the Heir And generally all things sowed and not arising from the Earth without manuring go to the Executorsâ— and such things as grow of themselves to the Heir therefore Corn in the field growing or standing shall go to the Executor Also Hops though not sowen if planted likewise Hemp and Saffron do like Corn growing pertain to the Executor Also after Corn reaped and before the Tythes set out the Inheritor of the Tythes dying his Executor and not his Heir seems to have the best right to the Tythe after set out Also things above ground in Gardens as Mellons of all kind and the like go to the Executor not to the Heir as also all other things as have such a yearly setting or manurance as severs them in interest from the soile Also the Writings and Evidences that concern not the inheritance but only Leases Terms Goods Chattels or Debts pertain to the Executor If one that holdeth Land for the Life of A. B. sow the Land and A. B. happen to die ere it be ripe and cut and he that so holdeth the Land happen to die also before it be ripe the Executor of the Tenant shall have the Corn. And if the Tenant in Tayl sow the Land he doth so hold and die ere it be cut the Executor not he in Reversion nor the Heir nor the Issue in Tayl shall have it Also if A. make a Feoffment of Land to B. excepting the Trees thereon which he afterwards grants to B. for years in this Case the Trees are in the nature of a Chattel and if B. dies his Executor shall enjoy them Or if A. seized in Fee of Lands whereon Trees grow sell these Trees to B. who then dies before they be felled in this Case the Executor or Administrator of B. shall have them and may sell or cut them down Lastly The Executor without contradiction of the Heir may in any convenient time after the Testators death enter into the house descended to the Heir for the removing and taking away of the Goods so as the door be open or at least the key be in the door but he cannot justifie the breaking open of the door of any Chamber to take Goods thence But if the Goods be not removed in convenient time the Heir may distrain them as Dammage Fesante 6. If a Lease for years be made to a Bishop and his Successors and he die his Executor not his Successor is to have it If a Presentment to a Church happen to a Tenant in Tayle and he die before he Presents his Executor not his Issue in Tayle shall Present because the Chattel is not devested Likewise if a Termer have a Presentment which doth happen during the Term though he do not Present yet he shall have it If a Parson Vicar Master of a Hospital or any Body Politick be possessed of any Goods or Chattels in their own Right and die they shall go to their Executors or Administrators not to their Successors If a Lease be made for years or the next Advowson of a Church or Covenant for payment of money or the like be granted or an Obligation made to one and to his Heirs In all these Cases he hath this as a Chattel and it shall go to his
out the Executor unless the money for the Land to be sold be to be distributed in pios usus because in this Case the Frank-tenement after the Testators death is in the Executors not in the Heir for which reason the Heir cannot enter in this Case as he might in the former 3. In an Action of Debt brought against Executors They were at Issue if Assets were in their hands or not and the Jury found by a Special Verdict That the Testator was seized of a House in Fee and made a Lease thereof and of certain Implements of household in it for years rendring Rent to Him his Heirs and Assigns and found that the Executors after the death of the Testator continually received the Rent and prayed Advice of the Court if the same were Assets in the Executors hands And the Opinion of the Court was That it was not Assets for that the whole Rent was to go with the Land in Reversion as magis digne and so did belong to the Heir not the Executors A man Willeth that after twenty years after the death of the Devisor J. S. shall have the Land in Fee the Heir of the Devisor shall have the Land during the Term and not the Executor CHAP. XV. What goes neither to the Heir nor Executor and in what Cases 1. Bona Paraphernalia go neither to the Heir nor to the Exeeutor 2. Things in joynt-Tenancy go neither to the Heir nor to the Executor 3. Things willed by the Testator to be sold for certain uses go to neither of them 4. A Lease simply for Three Lives goes neither to the Heir nor Executor 1. BY the Civil Law those Goods belonging to the Wife called Bona Paraphernalia descend neither to the Heir nor to the Executor neither are they by that Law subject unto the payment of the Husbands debts But now under that notion of Bona Paraphernalia we are not to understand the Wifes Apparel with her Bed Jewels and Ornaments for her person to be comprehended but her convenient Apparel and onely such as is agreeable to her degree and such shall go to the Wife onely the rest unto the Executor And thus much the very word being Etymologized doth imply 2. The Goods and Chattels which one hath in Joynt-Tenancy with another shall not on his death go to his Executor nor to his Heir but to the other surviving Joynt-Tenant and that by right of survivorship Otherwise it is with Tenants in common for if A. and B. have Goods or Chattels in Joynt-Tenancy and if either of them grant what belongs to him unto a Third person in this Case that Third person and he which kept his part unsold are Tenants in Common and therefore if either of them Two die the deceaseds part of such Goods and Chattels shall go to his Executor and not to the surviving Tenant in Common Also if Husband and Wife be Joynt-Tenants of Land and the Husband die the very Corn growing thereon shall survive to her together with the Land and though the Husband sowed it yet shall it not go to his Executor 3. The Monies or Profits arising out of Lands Willed by the Testator to be sold are not accounted as any of the Goods or Chattels of the person deceased and consequently do go neither to the Heir nor to the Executor but to the uses for which it was willed to be sold 4. If one have a Lease simply for Three Lives to him and his Assigns this is no Chattel therefore shall not go to the Executor and it is no Land therefore it shall not go to the Heir but in this Case it shall go to him who first after the Testators death Enters and Claims it as an Occupant if no assignment thereof be made in the life-time of the Lâ—ssee But a Lease for years determinable upon Lives is a Chattel and shall go to the Executor So also doth an Extent upon a Statute CHAP. XVI Of the Indivisibility of the right and interest of Co-Executors Their Indivisibility 1. In point of Power and Authority 2. In point of Interest and Possession 3. In Case of Plaintiffs and Defendants 1. WHere there are more Executors than One or Joynt-Executors to the same Testator One of them cannot give nor release his Interest to the other or if he doth it is void and he who so releaseth shall still have as much Interest as he to whom he released because each had the whole before Therefore if one Executor release but his part of a debt it hath been held that the whole is discharged But if one Executor alone sell Goods of the Testator he alone may maintain an Action of debt for the money So if Goods be taken out of the possession of one Executor he alone may maintain an Action for the same and that without naming himself Executor Also one Executor not joyning in suit with another may any time before judgment release but after Judgement he cannot because then it is altered in nature and turn'd into Rem Judicatam And though many Executors to one and the same Testator make but one Executor yet the devastation wast or misdoing of one shall not charge the rest nor make their Goods lyable for recompence but himself shall answer for it with his own Goods yet no further than the value of the Testators Goods so wasted or misadministred 2. If one of the Executors where there be Two or more grant his part of the Testators Goods all passeth and nothing is left to the other for that each hath the whole and there be no Parts or Moities between Executors Thus if an Horse come to four Executors each hath a Horse and yet all four have but one Also though a Lease for One thousand Years of One thousand Acres of Land come to Two Executors or more no partition or division can be made between them because it is not between them as between joynt-Lessees of Land where each hath but a Moitie in Interest though possession of and through the whole but among Executors each hath the whole and therefore if he grants his part he grants the whole yet one Executor may demise or grant the Moitie of the Land for the whole term and so may the other and this way they may settle a Moitie for each in some Third person intrusted for them but one Executor cannot make a Lease to the other of any part because he had the whole before nor can one of them Sue the other as Executor unless the Testator devise to one of his Executors all his Goods after such Debts and Legacies paid and satisfied for in such Case after satisfaction thereof that Executor may take the remainder of the Goods and maintain an Action of Trespass against the other if he take them from him and consequently an Action of Detinue if he keep or detain them but this he may do not as
ought in this Case the Feoffor ought to pay the money at the day appointed to the Executors and not to the Heir of the Feoffee unless the condition were that the Feoffor pay to the Feoffee or to his Heirs such a summ of money at such a day Here note That the Executors do more represent the person of the Testator than the Heir doth the person of the Ancestor for though the Executor be not named yet the Law appoints him to receive the money but not so the Heir unless he be named Here also note That if the Condition upon the Mortgage be to pay the Mortgagee or his Heirs the money and before the day of payment the Mortgagee dieth the Feoffor cannot in this Case pay the money to the Executors of the Mortgagee But if the Condition be to pay the money to the Feoffee his Heirs or Executors then the Feoffor hath election to pay it either to the Heir or Executors 2. If a man make a Feoffment in Fee upon Condition that the Feoffee shall pay to the Feoffor his Heirs or Assigns Twenty pound at such a day and before the day the Feoffor makes his Executors and dieth the Feoffee may as aforesaid pay the same either to the Heir or to the Executors for they are the Feoffors Assigns to this intent But if a man make a Feoffment in Fee upon Condition that if the Feoffor pay to the Feoffee his Heirs or Assigns Twenty pounds before such a Feast and before the Feast the Feoffee maketh his Executors and dieth the Feoffor ought to pay the money to the Heir and not to the Executors for the Executors in this Case are no Assigns in Law And the reason of this difference is for that in the first Case the Law must of necessity find out Assigns because there cannot be any Assignes in Deed for the Feoffor hath but a bare Condition and no Estate in the Land which he can assign over but in the other Case the Feoffee hath an Estate in the Land which he may Assign over And where there may be Assignes in Deed the Law shall never seek out or appoint Assignes in Law CHAP. XIX Touching the Executors Election to accept or refuse the Executorship 1. Of the Judges Power to affix the time for that Election or in Case of the Executors refusal what his Power is 2. In what Case a person may be compell'd to accept the Executorship notwithstanding his Judicial refusal 3. How one appointed Executor by the Will may Administer notwithstanding his refusal to Prove the same 1. HE that is appointed Executor in a Will may be summoned to appear before the Judge of the Jurisdiction to accept or refuse the Executorship The time wherein he that is named Executor in the Testament is to deliberate and determine whether he will accept or refuse the Executorship is uncertain and left to the discretion of the Judge who hath used at his pleasure and when he will not only within the year but within a moneth or two to Cite him that is named Executor to accept or refuse the Executorship and upon the non-appearance or refusal of such Executor to Prove the Will the Judge may commit Administration as of an Intestate And such Administrators Power is effectual in Law untill the Executor undertake the Executorship For then the Judge may revoke such Administration But if the Judge knowing that there is a Will grant Administration not having first called the Executor to accept or refuse the Executorship the Executor when he shall have Proved the Will may Sue such Administrator in an Action of Thespass Because the Judge hath no power to grant Administration but in Case of Intestation or that the persons named Executors either will not or cannot be Executors 2. No man can be compell'd to accept the Executorship unless he hath already intermedled with the Testators Goods as Executor for then it is too late for him to refuse Yet if any Legacy be given him in the Will wherein he is named Executor he may then be compelled to accept the Executorship or he shall lose his Legacy Yea though he were of Kin or Allied to the Testator Yet the Wife shall not lose her Thirds nor the Children their Filial Portions by refusing the Executorship 3. Although where an Executor hath Administred he cannot afterward refuse because he hath thereby determined his Election and although where there is an Executor and he refuse or many and all refuse the party is dead as Intestate and Administration is to be committed with the Will annexed yet in case there be divers Executors viz. A. B. C. and A. only refuse and the Will be Proved by the other Two there A. continueth an Executor notwithstanding his refusal so as he may still release debts of the Testator and debts owing by the Testator may be released to him Yea if Sute be to be had by or against the Executors it shall not be in the Names of B. and C. only but A. also must be Named as a Plaintiff or Defendant or else the Action may be overthrown Yea this Executor which refused may afterwards Administer at his pleasure and intermeddle with the Goods as well as the others but after their death he cannot so do for then the Executor of him that Proved the Will is only to Administer and the others refusal continuing to the death of his Co-Executor his Power then died also with him but so long as the one Co-Executor liveth that Proved the Will the other though he refused the Executorship before the Judge may yet afterwards so long as the other lives Administer the Goods or Remit the Debts due to the Testator And that Co-Executor that so Proved the Will cannot hinder him nor can he Recover against the persons by him so released Trespass It was found by Verdict That Sir Ralph Rowlet being possess'd of a Term made his Last Will and thereof made the Lord Keeper Bacon Catlin Chief Justice and others his Executors and Devised the Term to the Lord Catlin and died All the Executors wrote a Letter to Dr. Dale Judge of the Prerogative Court That they could not intend the Execution of the Will and desired him to commit the Administration to Henry Goodyer the next Kin of the Testator The Administration was accordingly granted but the Register Entered the Cause viz. For that the Executors did defer suscipere onus Testamenti After this Catlin Entered upon the Land Devised to him and granted it over the doubt was whether this Grant were good 1. Whether the Letter were a sufficient Renunciation 2. Whether if they once refuse they may after Administration granted Administer at their pleasure Dr. Ford declared to the Justices That by the Civil Law a Renouncing may be as well by matter in Fact as by a Judicial Act and they may refuse
or Keyes nor Fishes in the Pond nor Doves in Dove-houses scituate in Lands belonging to the Heir Nor Bona Paraphernalia that is the Wives convenient Apparel suitable to her Degree For as they are not to be put into the Inventory of her Husbands Goods so neither are they liable to the payment of his Debts But the Wives Jewels Chains and Borders and other Rich Ornaments of her Person are to be put into the Inventory of her deceased Husbands Goods Also Debts due to the Testator are to be put into the Inventory But Monies raised upon Lands given by the Testator for the payment of Debts or Legacies are not to be inserted into the Inventory Likewise all House-hold-stuff is to be put into the Inventory under which word are comprized Tables Stools Forms Chairs Carpets Hangings Beds Bedding Linnen Bason with Ewers Candlesticks with all sorts of Domestick Vessels whether of Earth Wood Glass Brass or Pewter yea Apparel Books Weapons Tools Cattel of all kind Victuals Corn and Grain of all Sorts Waynes Carts Plow-geare Coaches though no House-hold-stuff also Plate and Jewels and generally all things not affixed to the Free-hold but coming to the Executor and not descending to the Heir are to be Inventaried but such things as are affixed to and so become part and parcel of the Free-hold and all things that descend to the Heir and come not to the Executor are to be exempted out of the Inventory The Lady C. was possessed of divers Leases and conveyed them in Trust and afterwards married with A. B. the Lady received the money upon the Leases and with part of the money she bought Jewels and other part of the money she left and died A. B. took Letters of Administration of the Goods of his Wife and in a Sute in the Ecclesiastical Court the Court would have compelled him to have given an account of the Jewels and for the Money to have put them into the Inventory but the Opinion of the whole Court of B. R. was That he should not put them into the Inventory because the property of the Jewels was absolutely in him as Husband and he had them not as Administrator but of such things as be in Action as he shall have as Administrator he shall be accountable for and they shall be put into the Inventory And for the Monies received upon Trust it was resolved that the same was the Monies of the Trustees and the Wife had no remedy for it but in Equity and therefore the Husband should have it as Administrator And in that Case it was Resolved That if a Woman do convey a Lease in Trust for her use and afterwards marrieth That in such Case it lies not in the power of the Husband to dispose of it And if the Wife die the Husband shall not have it but the Executor of the Wife CHAP. XXII Of Actions mantainable by Executors or Administrators 1. The several kinds of Actions maintainable by Executors 2. An Action Personal in the Testator is none in the Executor 3. An Executor may sue for Rents and the Arrerages thereof yea in some Case where the Testator himself could not 4. An Executor Out-Lawed or Attainted may yet have Action 5. In what Case one Co-Executor may Sue another 6. In what Court Executors ought to Sue 7. Cases in Law touching this Subject 1. REgularly Executors may Charge all others for any Debt or Duty due to the Testator as the Testator himself might have done and the same Actions that the Testator himself might have had the same for the most part may Executors have also And therefore Executors may have Actions of Account Actions of Trespass de bonis asportatis in vita Testatoris Actions of Debt against Goalers upon escape of Prisoners Writs of Errour upon the Statute of 27 Eliz. Attaints upon the Stat. of 23 H. 8. Writs of Restitution upon the Stat. of 21 H. 8. An Indemnitate Nominis when the Testators Goods are taken upon an Out-Lawry against another man of his Name Actions of Covenant for breach of a Covenant made to the Testator Action upon the Case upon the Trover and Conversion of the Testators Goods an Ejectione firmae for an Ejectment of the Testator out of a Term an Action of Debt for Rent behind in the Testators life-time also an Action of Debt for the Arrerages of an Annuity due to the Testator in his life Likewise an Executor for Goods taken from him that belonged to the Testator or for a Treaspass done upon the Lease-Lands or a distraining or an impownding of Goods or Cattel may maintain Actions of Trespass or Replevin or Detinue even before the Will be Proved Likewise c. 2. But an Executor shall not have an Action for a Personal wrong done to the Testator when the wrong done to his Person or that which is his is of that nature as for which Dammages only are to be Recovered and therefore an Executor can bring no Action for the beating or wounding the Testator or for a Trespass done to him in his Cattle Grass or Corn or for a Wast by his Tenant done in his Lands for all these are but Personal Actions and die with the Testators person 3. If one grant a Rent out of his Land for life Provided that it shall not charge his Person and the Rent be behind and the Grantee dieth in this Case the Grantees Executor may have an Action of Debt for those Arrerages Likewise if any Rent or Arrerages of Rent be due to one upon a Grant of Rent out of any Land to him or reservation of Rent upon any Estate made by him of Land in these Cases his Executor may have an Action of Debt for this Rent or he may distrain for it so long as the Land chargeable with the Rent and out of which it doth issue is in his possession that ought to pay it or any claiming by or under him Yea an Executor in some Cases may have his remedy by Action for the Arrerages of Rent which the Testator himself in his life-time could not for if a man grant a Rent-charge out of certain Lands to another for life with a Proviso in the Deed that the Grantee shall not in any sort charge the Person of the Grantor generally and the Rent be behind the Grantee dieth the Executors of the Grantee shall have an Action of Debt against the Grantor and charge his person for the Arrerages in the life of the Grantee notwithstanding that Proviso because the Executors have no other remedy against the Grantor for the Arrerages for Distrain they cannot because the Estate in the Rent is determined and the Proviso cannot leave the Executors without remedy so that the word Proviso in this Case doth work only a qualification or limitation not a Condition or a Covenant 4. One that is Out-Lawed or Attainted in his own person may yet Sue as Executor because
they both live but after her death it may be otherwise yea and if a void Administration happen to be committed and the Administrator wast the Goods and then Administration be committed to another in this case the former Administrator may be charged by the Creditors for the wast done in his time 4. But for an Executor or Administrator without fraud to sell the Goods of the deceased under value especially where more cannot conveniently be made of them is no wast Nor shall one Executor or Administrator be charged for the wast done by another for where there are many joynt-Executors if only one of them doth commit the wast he alone shall suffer for it So the Executor or Administrator committing Wast in the Gift or Sale of any of the Goods of the Defunct shall answer it alone and not he to whom the Goods are so given or sold yet the Executor or Administrator of such an Executor or Administrator shall not be question'd for it after his death Also an Executor or Administrator may lawfully sell or convert the deceaseds Goods to his own use so as he convert the money thereof to the deceaseds use in payment of Debts or the like and pay so much of his own money as the Goods so converted to his use are worth and this shall not be imputed to him as a Wast Yea he may sell any special Legacy that is bequeathed and even this shall be no Wast in him though it be a wrong to the Legatee in case there be Assets to pay Debts besides But when he hath enough to pay all the Debts and Legacies then he may dispose of the whole Estate how he please without any prejudice to himself or others And note That the wasting Executor doth not incurr dammage or make his own Goods lyable for satisfaction for the Wast further than the value of the Testators Goods so wasted or mis-administred doth amount unto An Action of Debt was brought against Two Executors one appeared and confessed the Action the other made default and Judgement was given to recover de bonis Testatoris in both their hands whereupon a Scire Facias issued The Sheriff returned Nihil but he who made default had wasted the Goods upon which a Scire Feci issued against him who had wasted the Goods and upon Return of the Scire Feci Execution was awarded of his own proper Goods only without his Co-Executor 5. If the Executor confess he hath Assets supposing the Executor to be Defendant then may the Sheriff Return a Devastavit If the cause of Action be against Executors or Administrators the Judgement is to recover the Debt and Dammages of the Testators Goods if the Executor hath so much in his hands and if he hath not then the Dammages as was formerly shewn of the Executors or Administrators own Goods And if the Sheriff upon a Scire Facias Return a Devastavit then a Fieri Facias or Elegit may be sued out to levy the Debt and Dammages of the Executors or Administrators proper Goods And if the Executor plead That he never was Executor nor Administred as Executor and it be found against him that he had Administred but one penny the Judgement shall be to recover the Debt and Dammages of the Executors own Goods And in a Case of Debt brought upon a Record the Execution shall be brought where the Record remains Judgement was given against B. in a debt of One hundred pound in C. B. After the said Judgement he entered into a Statute to J. S. and died Intestate his Wife takes Letters of Administration and removes the Record of the said Debt recovered against her Husband into B. R. by Errour depending the Sute she payes the Debt due upon the Statute to J. S. Afterwards the former Judgement is affirmed On a Scire Facias against the Administratrix to have Execution she pleaded payment of the said Statute beyond which she had not Assets Upon this the Justices of the Kings Bench were divided viz. Popham and Gaudy against Fenner and Yelverton It was referred to the Opinion of the other Justices they joyned in Opinion with Fenner and Yelverton and judged it a good Plea and that the paying of the Statute was no Devastavit for at the time of the Execution of the Statute she could not plead the Judgement of C. B. it being then doubtful whether it would be affirmed or not therefore no default in the Wife-Administratrix in paying and discharging the Statute for she could not have an Audita Querela nor any other Remedy to be freed from payment of the Statute at the time of the Execution thereof CHAP. XXVII Of the Executors power in Sale of Lands devised to be sold 1. The difference between a Devise that the Executors shall sell the Land and a Devise of the Land to the Executors to be sold 2. The profits of Land Devised to be sold are not Assets in the Executors hands for a time before such Sale 3. In what Case the Heir may or may not enter upon unsold Lands devised to be sold 4. Executors accepting may without others Refusing make a good Sale of Lands devised to be sold 5. In what Case surviving Executors cannot sell Lands devised to be sold 1. WHere Land is by Will appointed to be sold neither the money raised nor the profits shall be accounted as any of the Testators Goods or Chattels And when a man deviseth that his Executors shall sell the Land there the Land in the mean time descends to the Heir and until the Sale be made the Heir may enter and take the Profits But when the Land is Devised to his Executors to be sold there the Devise taketh away the Descent and vesteth the State of the Land in the Executors and they may Enter and take the profits and make sale according to the Devise Also when a man deviseth his Land to be sold by his Executors it is all one as if he had devised his Land to his Executors to be sold because he then likewise deviseth the Land whereby he breaketh the Descent 2. If a Testator doth appoint by his Will his Executors to make sale of certain Lands for the use and behoof of the said Testator and the Lands after the Testators decease happen to remain some time unsold the Profits thereof in the said time before such sale made shall not be Assets in the Executors hands unless the Testator did devise That the mean Profits till the Sale should be Assets in their hands for otherwise they shall not be so though the Executors in this Case have no Estate or Interest in the Land but only a bare and naked Power and Authority 3. But if the Executors having power to sell the Land of the Testator defer the Sale thereof after the offer of a reasonable price converting the Profits thereof to their own use the Heir may lawfully Enter to the Land and put out the
remembred them But for the foresaid Reasons it was adjudged for the Plaintiff That those Lands well passed by the Will Suppose a Man hath Two Sons both named John and conceiving his Eldest Son to be dead he Deviseth his Land by his Will to his Son John generally when in Truth the Eldest Son is living In this Case the Younger Son may alleadge and give in Evidence the Devise to him and may produce Witnesses to prove the Intent of his Father And if no Proof can be made the Devise shall be void for the uncertainty of it Glanvile Serjeant prayed the Opinion of the Court in this Case A Man had Issue a Son and a Daughter and Devised his Lands to his Son in Tail and if he dyed without Issue That it should remain to the next of his Name and dyed The Son dyed without Issue the Daughter being then Married whether she should have the Land was the Question And held per Curiam That she should not For she had lost her Name by her Marriage but it should go to the next Heir-male of the Name But if she had not been Married at the Time of her Brothers death the Daughter should have had it for she was the next of the Name One Devised certain Lands in N. in Tail the Remainder to the next of the Kin of his Name and at the Time of the Devise the next of his Kin was his Brothers Daughter who was then Married to I. S. the Devisor dyed The Tenant in Tail dyed afterwards without Issue Whether the Daughter should have the Land was the Question upon a special Verdict and adjudged without Argument that she should not For she is not now of the Name of the Devisor but of her Husbands Name But if she had been unmarried at the Time of the Devise and death of the Donor although she had been Married at the Time of the death of the Tenant in Tail without Issue yet she should have had the Land Wherefore it was adjudged accordingly Ejectione Firmae For certain Lands in A. upon Evidence to a Jury a Devise was shewn of an House with the Appurtenances and thereby Land in the Field was claimed And Popham doubted whether it should pass But Fenner said That it well might pass And that upon Demurrer in 28. Eliz. it was adjudged accordingly The Defendant then to make it clear shewed That the House was Copyhold and the Land Freehold And the whole Court thereupon conceived That it could not be said Appurtenant although it had been used with it Wherefore the Plaintiff was Nonsuited In the Case between H. and H. all agreed the Case of 13. H. 7. That a Testators Devise to his Heir of his Land after the death of his Feme is a good Devise by Implication to the Feme of that Land during her life for it appears he intended his Heir should not have it until the death of his Feme And none other can have it besides the Feme And therefore it is a good Devise to the Feme by Implication But if such a Devise had been to a Stranger after the death of his Feme it might peradventure have been otherwise for the Heir in the Interim might have had it Note That the Opinion of all the Justices was That if one make his Testament wherein are these words viz. I Release all my Lands c. to A. and to his Heirs It is a good Devise of the said Lands to A. and his Heirs Upon a special Verdict the Case was this A Woman Seised of Lands made her Will and devised the same to one and his Heirs after they Intermarry After Marriage the Woman intending to revoke her Will doth revoke it by words after Marriage and saith That her Husband shall not have the Land by her Will and after dyes Whether the Husband by that Will or the next Heir to his Wife shall have the Land was the Question The Case was Argued Pro Con several Arguments on both sides In fine it was Adjudged That the Will was void and that the Husband could take nothing thereby A Man Devised his Lands to his Wife from Year to Year until his Son I. come to the Age of 20. Years and dies the Wife enters I. dies before he attain the Age of 20. Years And it was moved by Harper whether her Interest were thereby determined And it was held by all the Justices That by the death of the Son the Estate of the Wife was determined and that she had no longer any Estate therein For it is to be intended that the Will of the Devisor was That his Wife should have the Land during the Minority of his Son for that he himself could not Legally dispose of the Land being within Age. And Dyer said That by these words de anno in annum It is intended that the Will of the Devisor was That the Interest of the Wife should determine by the death of his Son But if the Words had been until his Son should Come or might Come to that Age of 20. Years then notwithstanding his death the Estate of the Wife had continued A. Seised of the Mannor of Chessam extending into Chessam and the Town of Hertford and also of Lands in Hertford Devised by Will the Mannor of Chessam to B. his Eldest Son in Tail and the Lands in Hertford to C. his Younger Son It was held by all the Justices That the Younger Son should have all that part of the Mannor of Chessam which lay in the Town of Hertford A. Devised that his Lands should descend to his Son but Willed That his Wife should take the Profits thereof until the full Age of the Son for his Education and bringing up and dyed The Wife Married another Husband and dyed before the full Age of the Son It was the Opinion of the Justices in this Case That the second Husband should not have the Profits of those Lands till the full Age of the Son For nothing is Devised to the Wife but a Confidence and she is a Guardian or Bailiff for to help the Infant which by her death is determined and the same Confidence cannot be transferred to the Husband A Man Seised of a Messuage to which a Garden and a Curtilage did belong Enclosed with a Wall and there was no way to the Garden but through the Messuage He Devised the Messuage to his second Son in Fee not mentioning the Garden nor Curtelage nor saith cum pertinentijs It was Adjudged in this Case That the Garden and Curtelage did pass by this Devise They said a Curtelage is parcel of the House as a Stable and a Dovehouse and the Garden shall pass because it is as well for Necessity to it as for Pleasure A. Seised of Lands had Two Daughters and Devised the Lands to the Eldest and her Heirs that she pay to her Younger Sister yearly 30 l. It was the Opinion of all the
to rest in Peace Vide 4. Ed. 6. tit Estates 78. 29. H. 8. Br. Testam 18. Dyer 371. Wellock Hamonds Case 32. 33. Eliz. Cited in Borastons Case Co. 3. 20 21. And Colliers Case Co. 6. 16. A Man by the Premises of his Will Deviseth his Land to I. S. in Fee and by the Sequele he Deviseth the same Land to I. N. in Fee they both shall take by this Testament and shall be Joynt-Tenants A Devise made Canonicis Ecclesiae Catholicae Pauli Lond. in perpetuum is a good Devise to all the Canons joyntly in Fee and the Survivor shall have the Entierty the Law is otherwise in Case of a Devise made Civitati Lond. in perpetuum the Corporation of the Mayor and Commonalty shall take by this Devise A Man hath Two Wives and he Deviseth his Land to his latter Wife in Fee the first Wife shall have it Likewise if one hath Two Sons called I. and one of them is a Bastard and Born before Marriage and he makes a Devise to his Son I. the Legitimate I. shall have it and not the Bastard A Man hath Issue a Son and Land is Devised to the Father Habend sibi Haered de corpore suo Legitime procreand and after the Devisee hath Issue another Son the second shall have the Land A Man Seised of Three Messuages Devised by his Testament to his Son A. one of them Naming it and A. to enter after his Wives death and Devised another of the Messuages to his second Son paying 10 l. to his Sister and he to enter at his Age of 21. Years and Devised the Third Messuage to his Third Son in like manner as to his Second Son And after in his Testament willed That if either of his Sons dyed before 21. Years of Age that then his part should be divided among the Survivors and each of them to be the others Heir they all attain to the full Age and the Two Younger Sons paid their Sister the several Sums as was appointed in the Will The Question being what Estate the Two Younger Sons had in those Messuages Devised them by the Will it was held a Fee-simple CHAP. X. Certain Cases touching Devises of Land by way of Entail 1. How Lands Devised by way of Entail may happen to be devested out of one and be vested in another upon the birth of an Issue in Tail 2. Tenant in Tail may not by any Devise Condition or Limitation be Barred from Alienating by suffering a Common Recocovery 3. A Difference in Point of Entail between Devises by Will and Grants by Deed. 4. The several ways of Entails by Devise with the difference between Devising Semini suo and Sanguini suo 5. The Question whether Issue born or not at the time of making the Devise may put a difference between an Estate-Tail and Joynt-Tenancy 6. What shall be a Fee-simple by Deed which is but an Estate-Tail by Devise 7. In what Case the Younger Son may have Fee-simple and the Elder but an Estate-Tail 8. Otherways how an Estate-Tail may be Created by Devise 9. Instances of Law for further illustration of Entails by way of Devise 10. In what case the Word Or shall be taken for And to Create an Estate-Tail by Devise 11. Other Cases of Estates-Tail by Devise with Cross-Remainders 12. An Estate-Tail by Devise with implyed Remainder 13. How there may be a Devise of an Estate-Tail of Rent as well as of Land and how a Tail limited to some Lands shall not extend to others therewith Devised 1. A Man Seised of Lands in Fee Devised them to his Wife for life and after to his Two Sons if they had not Issue Males for their lives and if they had Issue Males then to their Issue Males and if they had not Issue Males then if any of them had Issue Male to the said Issue Male The Wife dyed the Sons entred into the Lands and then the Eldest Son had Issue Male who afterwards entered the Younger Son put out the Issue In this Case the Lands by the birth of the Issue Males are divested out of the Two Sons and vested in the Issue Male of the Eldest and he hath an Estate-Tail therein 2. A Man Seised of Lands in Capite Devised them to his Wife for life and after her decease his Son John to have it and if his Son John marry and have by his Wife any Issue Male of his Body Lawfully begotten then his Son to have it if no Issue Male then his Son Thomas to have the House and if Thomas marry having Issue Males of his Body his Son to have the House after his decease And if any of his Sons or Issue Males go about to Alien or Mortgage the House then the next Heir to enter c. In this Case it was 1 Resolved That the Sons had an Estate-Tail in them severally and to the Heirs Males of their Bodies for that these words if he have no Issue Male his Son Thomas to have it are sufficient to create Tail to John and so of the rest 2 Resolved That no Condition or Limitation be it by Act Executed or by Limitation of Use or by Devise by last Will can Bar Tenant in Tail to Alien by suffering a Common Recovery 3. If a Devise be made of Land to A. B. and the Heirs Males of his Body and he hath Issue only a Daughter who hath Issue a Son the Son shall not take by this Devise Or if such Devise be made to him and the Heirs Females of his Body and he hath Issue only a Son who hath Issue a Daughter she shall not take by this Devise And here Note That in point of Entails there is a Difference between Devises by Will and Grants by Deed for if a Devise of Land be made to A. B. and to his Heirs Males by this Devise A. B. hath an Estate-Tail Otherwise it is if such a Limitation be made by Deed for if one by Deed give Land to another and his Heirs Males by this the Donee hath a Fee-simple and his Heirs General shall have it But if a Devise of Land be to A. B. and to the Eldest Heirs Females of his Body by this Devise all his Daughters and not one of them only shall have it And if a Man Devise his Land to his Wife for life and after to his own right Heirs Males and he hath Issue Three Daughters whereof one after his death hath a Son In this Case and by this Devise the next Collateral Heir Male of the Devisor and not the Son of the Daughter shall have the Land If a Man Devise his Land to A. B. and to his or to the Heirs Males or Heirs Females of his Body or of his Body begotten or to him and his Issues Male or his Issues Female or to him and the Heirs Male of his Body begotten on M. or to him and E. his Wife and the Heirs
Son to his Mother 10. A man bequeaths the House wherein he lives to A. B. his Wife quamdiu she shall continue a Widdow and dyes A. B. doth not Re-marry but lives and dyes a Widdow In this case the said House by the Civil Law comes to A. B. and his Heirs for ever Note that what in the premises hath been said touching the invallidity of Conditions against Marriage annexed to Legacies in relation to Females holds the same in Law touching the like illegal Conditions in reference to Males or Masculines 11. A man Devised to his Daughter 500 l. towards her Marriage In this Case it was the Opinion of the Court That if she die before Marriage her Executors shall have it But if the words were To be paid at the day of her Marriage or at the age of 21 years and she dyeth before both it is otherwise The latter part of which Judgment seems not to agree with the Civil Law in that point which sayes the time of the age of a Legatary may be joyned either to the substance of the Legacy or to the execution and performance of the same if the time of the age of the Legatary be joyned to the substance of the Legacy as when the Testator doth give thee 100 l. when thou shalt be of the age of 21 years In this case if thou dyest before that time thy Executors cannot recover the 100 l. But if the time of the age of the Legatary be joyned only to the execution or performance of the Legacy as when the Testator doth give thee 100 l. which he willeth shall be paid when thou accomplish the age of 21 years In this case although thou dye before thou accomplish the age of 21 years yet thy Executors or Administrators shall recover the same when the time is accomplished wherein thy self if thou hadst been then living mightst have recovered the same 12. Consonant whereunto is that which we find Reported viz. That it was agreed by the Court That if a man Deviseth to his Daughter 100 l. when she shall be Married or to his Son when he shall be of full age and they dye before the time appointed and make Executors their Executors shall not have it But it is otherwise if the Devise were to them to be paid at their full ages and they dye before that time and make Executors there the Executors shall have it Which difference was since likewise so Agreed and Adjudged 13. A Feme Sole Deviseth Lands to A. B. in Fee to whom afterwards she was Married and during the Coverture Countermands her Will saying her Husband should not have the Land nor any other benefit by her Will and dyes In this case the Husband shall not have the Land not only because of her Countermand but because of the disability of a Feme Covert to make a Will which takes no effect till the parties death And therefore if a Feme sole Deviseth Lands to a man and then takes him to Husband and dyes This Inter-marriage is a reversion of the Devise and the Heir of the Woman shall have the Lands and not the Husband because after Marriage the Will of the Wife in Judgment of Law is subject to the Will of her Husband and a Feme Covert hath not any Will for the making of the Will is but the Inception thereof and takes no effect till the death of the Devisor 14. If a man Deviseth Lands generally to his Wife for the Term of her life It cannot be averred to be for the Joynture of the Wife and in satisfaction of her Dower But if a man Deviseth Lands to his Wife for life or in tail for her Joynture and in satisfaction of her Dower the same is a good Joynture within the Stat. of 27 H. 8. 15. A man Devised the Moiety of his Goods to his Wife and dyed It was the opinion of the Court That she should have the Moiety of them as they were at the time of his death if his Executors had Assets sufficient to pay his Debts If a Legacy be given to a Woman Covert and her Husband give a Release and afterwards he and his Wife sue in the Ecclesiastical Court for the Legacy the party sued shall not have a Prohibition upon the Husbands Release because the Temporal Judges cannot meddle with a Legacy nor consequently determine whether the Release will extinguish the same As the Case 29 Eliz. Adjudged The Husband may Devise to his Wife although they are but one person in Law for it takes no effect till after his Death CHAP. XVIII Of Legacies and Devices to a Child in the Womb. 1. A Devise to an Infant in the Womb is good 2. It may be good though the Infant be rip'd alive out of the Womb. 3. It is good though it be a Devise in Remainder or in Tail 4. How the Divident of a Devise shall be in case of Twins unexpected or an Hermophrodite 5. How the Legacy shall be apportioned when bequeathed to any Child in the Womb and more then One or Two happen to be Born 6. Where a Devise void or voidable in his Inception may become good by matter ex post facto 1. THat a Child in the Womb to whom a Legacy is bequeathed or Lands Divised is after his or her Birth though subsequent to the Testators death capable of taking by such Devise is a Truth now not to be controverted though it hath been Contradicted and otherwise Resolved for we find it Reported in a Case thus stated viz. A Man had Issue Five Sons his Wife being with Child with the Sixth at the time of his death and by his last Will declared That the Third Part of his Land should descend and come to his Son and Heir the other Two Parts he bequeathed to his Four Younger Sons by Name and to the Heirs Males of their Bodies and if the Infant in the Mothers Womb be a Son then he to have a Fifth Part as Co-heir with his Four Elder Brothers The Sixth Son was Born after the death of his Father in this Case it was Resolved That the Son Born after the death of the Father should not have any thing because he was uncapable as a Purchasor when the Devise was first to take effect because he was not then in esse or rerum natura Notwithstanding which it was not long after in another Case otherwise understood in which Case it was Admitted That a Devise to an Infant in his Mothers Belly was good It is presumed the intendment is of such an Infant as was born after the Testators death In other Cases also it hath been held That Devise to an Infant in his Mothers Belly is good 2. A Man Deviseth his Land to his Wife being with Child the Remainder to the Issue en ventre safeme his Wife in Travail dyeth and the Son is rip'd from his Mother alive he shall have the said Remainder
the Devise of a House with all things therein 32. The Difference between a Devise of a Chamber and the Devise of a Shop 33. The Devise of a Field carries also the Edifice erected thereon 34. The Civil Law where the Fee of Land is Devised to one and the Rents of the same Land to another 35. in what Case an error or mistake in the Testator may be a prejudice to the Legatee 36. A Legacy or Devise may be inferr'd as well from the Testators Intention as Expression 37. A Devise by Reason of an Omission of that whereof the Testator said he would make a description is not void 38. A Legacy to Two whereof one is not accrews in the whole to the other that is 39. Further Exemplifications of Law touching Devise of Houses altered burnt and re-edified 40. An Exception of a Thing which is not is no prejudice to the Devisee 41. The same thing Conditionally twice Devised by two Testators to several Persons how or in what Case good to either or not 42. By a Devise of ground doth pass the Edifice thereon albeit it were erected after the Devise made 43. How a Devise is to be apportioned where the Devisees are joyned in the thing Devised but disjoyned in the manner of Devising 44. A Devise of Lands by a certain Name carries all of that Name though otherwise distinct unless the Testator intended otherwise 45. Any words that do but plainly declare the Testators meaning may serve for a Devise 46. The Executor shall pay the Land-lords Rent for Ground in Lease the Fruit or Proceed whereof is Devised to another for the Term. 47. A mistake in the Testator only of the Scituation of the Lands Devised shall not prejudice the Devise 48. The difference between necessary and voluntary Alienations prohibited to Devisees by a Testator 49 A Tripartite Case in point of Alienation prohibited by a Testator 50. How the disjunctive Or in Legacies and Devises is frequently understood for the conjunctive And. WHere a Man is Seised of a House in Fee or of Land in Fee and may devise such House or Land in such case may Devise the Doors Windows Wainscot or the like Incidents of the House also the Trees and Grass growing upon such Land Otherwise it is with a Tenant in Tail for Life or Years in Houses or Land 2 If a man hath an Use that is not Executed by the Stat. of Uses but remains at the Common Law he may make a good Devise thereof And therefore if one possessed of a Term of years grant it over to another to the use of the Grantor he may Dispose this use by his Will for it is in the Nature of a Chattel 3. One that hath Money to be paid him on a Mortgage may Devise this Money when it comes If A. Enfeoffe B. of Land upon Condition that if B. do not pay A. 100 l. such a day that then A. may Re-enter In this case A. may Devise this 100 l. if it be paid and the Legacy is good albeit it be made before the day of Payment come 4. A Man cannot Devisc by his Will any Real Chattels that he hath only in right of his Wife nor the Obligations that are made to her alone before or during the Coverture nor the Chattels Real or Personal which she hath in right only of another as Executrix But all her own proper Goods and Chattels Personal and all Obligations made to them both during Coverture he may Devise by Testament 5. A Bishop cannot by his Testament Devise the Presentation of a Church that became void in his time yet if he or the Parson of a Church have the Advowson thereof in Fee and Devise that Two or Three of his Executors shall present at the next Avoidance this is a good Devise 6. By a Devise of Immoveables which are Chattels real do pass Leases Rents and the like and by a Bequest of Moveables which are Chattels Personal will pass Bonds and Specialties but Debts pass not by either of these Devises By Immoveables are understood not only the foresaid Chattels-real but also in some sense Trees growing on the Ground Fruit on the Trees Terms of Years and the like and by Moveables are Regularly understood all Goods both Actually Moving and Passively Moveable 7. If a Man Bequeath to A. B. all his Goods he shall thereby have the Testators whole Estate his Lands Tenements and Freehold excepted and thereby the Debts and Money If he Bequeath to him all his Chattels he shall have thereby all as in the former Case If he Bequeath to him all his Moveables he shall have all his Personal Goods both quick and dead and if he Beqneath to him all his Immoveables he shall have all the Testators Leases and all the Natural Fruits thereof as Grass on the Ground Fruit on the Trees and the like consequently Fishes in a Pond Pidgeons in the Dovehouse c. as Appurtenances to the Ground Devised as well as the Natural Fruits or Grass growing on the same 8. If a Man Devise all his Goods and Chattels to A. B. and die and A. B. die also before he hath proved the Testators Will in this Case the Administration of the Goods and Chattels of the said Testator shall be committed to the next of Kin of the said A. B. and not to the next of Kin of the said Testator because in this Case A. B. was the universal Successor 9. If a Woman under Coverture Devise her Land then publish and approve it after her her Husbands death when she is sole by this means that Devise which was Originally void is now become good But if she make and publish it during the Coverture albeit her Husband doth afterward die and she become sole yet this accident alone without a new publication after her Husbands death will not make that Devise good The Law is the same as to Goods and Chattels 10. In like Manner if an Infant within Age as to Lands or within Age as to Goods Devise the one or Bequeath the other and publish the Will and after he come to full and competent Age publish and Approve it again By this means the Devise or Legacy becomes good otherwise it is in Case he do not Publish and Approve it when he attains to Full and Competent Age. 11. Suppose the Testator doth Devise in this manner viz. I Will that my Executor shall pay 100 l. to A. B. by the Tenth day of March next after my decease and if otherwise then my Will is That my Executor shall Surrender to him all the Right I have in a Lease of my Ground called Black-acre and dies The Executor doth not pay to A. B. above 90 l. by the day Appointed In this Case A. B. restoring the said 90 l. to the Executor shall have the said Ground and he may detain the Money till he recover the Land 12. Suppose the Testator doth Devise the
Joynt-Tenants in what cases p. 233 § ult p. 242 § 4 p 245. A nice distinction between-such and Tenants in Common p 242 § 4. To whom Goods in Joynt-Tenancy belong at the death of either Joynt-Tenant p 86. § 2. Such Goods are not Devisable p 223 § 6. Issue A Devise made in general to the Issue void by reason of uncertainty p 233 in prin The difference between Issue Born and not Born at the time of making the Devise in point of Entail or Joynt-Tenancy p 249 § 5. Jus Representationis what it signifies p 172 § 1. In the Line Transversall or Collaterall it holds only in the Brothers Children not in their Grand-children p 177 § 1. K. Kindred and Consanguinity how they differ p 170 § 3. Collaterall Kindred how far and to what degree they may succeed each other p 179 § 4. Kindred or of Kin to the Testator at the time of his death sufficient to take by a Legacy to his Kindred though they were not such when the Will was made p. 444 § 80. L. Lands Devisable by Will p 224 c. What and how much thereof Ibid § 1. What may pass by a Devise under that Notion Ibid § 2. By and to what persons Land is Devisable or not p 225 to 228 § 3 4. By what kind of Testament p 228 § 5. Lands may pass by Will where no Executor is named p 5 § 4. Lands may by the Common Law be Devised to whom Goods cannot by the Civil Law be Bequeathed p 226 § 4. A Devise of another mans Land void p. 228 § 5. Land twice Devised in the same Will to several persons how both may be good p 230 231 § 4. Whether Lands new purchased pass by a Will formerly made p 231 § 6 ult Leases for years pass not by a Devise of Lands if the Devisor had any Lands in Fee Ibid § 6. Customary Lands may pass by a Will without Writing other Lands not p 4 5 § 3. Lands Devised on a present Payment or on Payment out of the Profits thereof what different Estates they create p 254 § 6. Lands Devised with Limitations and upon Condition p. 266 c. Land Devised by a Coppyholder to his Wife p 274 275 § 7. Land Devised for life by the Husband to the Wife not for her Jointure no Barre to her Jointure p. 282 § 14. How the Devise of another mans Land may become a good Devise p. 228. § 5. Devises of Land void or not p 229 c. p. 441 § 47. Several Cases in Law touching Lands Devised p 288 c. Lambs Bequeathed understand such as are under a Year old p 441 § 54. Lease simply for Lives belongs neither to the Heir nor to the Executor p. 86 § 4. Lease made in trust by a Woman for her use who after Marries enures not to her Husband but to her Executor when she dies p 99 § ult Leases of Terms of Years Devised p. 256 c. Though Devised for 99 Years yet determinable upon one Life Ibid. § 2. Chattell-Leases pass not by a Devise of all the Lands p 257 § 4 By a Lease for Years Devised for Life doth pass the whole Term yet is it not an Estate for life Ibid. § 5. By what words a Lease and the Interest of the Lessee may be Devised p 257 258 § 6 The Residue of a Term is as Devisable as the Term it self p 258 § 7. A Devise of a Lease for Years may be in Law which doth not so appear in Fact p Ibid § 9. The whole Term though not named shall pass by a Devise where no other can pass by Implication p 259. § 10. Legacy what p 200. § 1. What Words or Expressions sufficient for a Legacy p 209 c. Whether the time of making the Testament or of the Testators death be the more considerable in Legacies p 202 203. § 3 p 227 § 4. In what Court Legacies are properly Recoverable p 204 205 § 4. The difference between Bequeathing a Legacy to one whenhe shall be of full Age and to one to be Payed when he shall be of full Age. p 281. § 12. Legacies and Devises in respect of Marriage p 279 c. What of her Legacy shall the Wife have if she Marry after her Election to the contrary p 280. § 8. Legacies between Baron and Feme p 279 c. Legacies grounded upon wrong Suppositions in the Testator inherent in the very Body and Substance of the Legacy it self do not oblige his Executors p 305. § 17. Several Sums Bequeathed to the same Party in two Instruments both otherwise containing the same Will the lesser only is due p 316. § 19. Legacy forfeited upon non-performance of some duty enjoyned p 446. § 92. Legacies referring to Debts and Cases in the Law touching the same p 321 c. They fall under four Heads p. Ibid. § 2. Legacies by Creditors to Debtors e Contra. p. 322. § 4 5. to § 10 A Legacy Bequeathed in fraudem Legis is void p 320. § ult A Legacy of a Debt is extinguish'd by payment of that Debt to the Testator p 324. § 11. Whether the Testators not having what he Bequeaths voids the Legacy p 330. § 8. The same Thing twice Bequeathed or Bequeathed unto two distinctly which of them shall have it p. 331. § 9. A Legacy given indistinctly to A. B. and there be two of the name who shall be preferred to the Legacy Ibid. § 10. If a Single Legacy be given only to one though it be Devisable yet it is not Dividable p. 332. § 15. ult Legataries who are incapable of being p. 206 207. § 2 A Legatary refusing his Office or Duty imposed on him by the Will though but in part looses his Legacy in the whole p. 316. § 16. In what case the Legatary shall have his Legacy presently though it be given him when he shall die p. 280. § 6. What the Legatary that Marries shall have when more is Bequeathed him in case he Marries not than if be doth Marry p. Ibid. § 7. The Legatary must expect the Executors delivery of his Legacy p. 440. § 39. How one may be a Legatary in Construction of Law only p. Ibid. § 42. Whether a Legatary-Executor may after Debts paid first satisfie himself p. 317. § 20. A Legatary if capable at the Testators death sufficient for the Legacy though he were not so when the Will was made p. 446. § 88. Letter from one friend to another sufficient to contain a Will or Devise p. 212. § ult p. 443. § 73. Letters of Administration in what case they may be granted p. 154 § 7. To whom p. 151. § 2. They may be granted in England by a Bishop of Ireland p. 155. § ult Whether they ought to be shewn in Court by Administrators in Actions brought by them p. 103 104. § ult Whether it be necessary to set forth in a Declaration by whom they were
Ver. sign DD. ibid p L. cum quid ibid. q Rip in c. inter caeteros de Rescrip Extr. nu 54 Paris Cons 21 Vol. 3. Jul. clar § Test q. 80 nu 5 r L. si Titio aur Seio de Leg 2 l. uâ—r §. cum quidam ff de Reb. dub s l. cum pater §. â—te ff de Leg. 2. Bald in c 1 de eo qui sibi haered suis lib. feud Jul. clar q. 80. nu 5. t Plowd 345 Co. 1. 105 155 Perk. §. 508. u L. non oportet ff de Leg 2. Peck de Test coning l. 4 c. 31 Grass Thes com Op. § Institut q. 28. w L. ult de Sacr. Baptis reit c. Minsing in tit de haer inst in prin x Fitzh A. bridg tit Administ nu 3. y Terms of Law Verb. ut legat z 31. Eliz. cap 3. a Co. Rep. lib 5. fo 49. in Wirralls Case b Phil. Franc. in Rub. de Testa lib. 6. nu 32 Grass Thes Com. Opt. §. Institutio q. 4 Bald. in l. id quod pauperib c. de Episc Clerc nu 6. c Terms of Law Verb. Devise d Fitzh tit Assize 27. e M. 19. Ja. cur B. R. Crump vers Bodie f Covar de spons part 2. c. 8 §. 5 n. 15 16 17. Jul. clar l. 5 §. fornicat §. Incest Auth. ex complex c. de Inces nupt DD. ibid. g Glos in Auth. quib mod na effic sui §. fin Clar. §. Test q. 31. n. 4. h C. cum haberet de co qui dux in ux q. pol. per. Adult l. legatis ff de aliment Decio Neap. 164 n. 2. i 18 Eliz. cap. 3 k Perk. tit Grant f. 11 Bract. l. 2. c. 7. l Perk. tit Devise f. 94. m Jas in l. haereditas c. his quib ut indgn n. 7 8. n Bal. in l. si quis incestus c. de incest nup. o Mich. 4. Ed. 6. Ander Rep. Case 82. p Hil. 4 Ed. 6 Moo Rep. nu 39. a Surd. Decis 285 Areâ—in in l. qui ita ff deDot praeleg Bart. ibid. Mantic. l. 9 tit 3 nu 32 Menoch de Praesump lib. 4. praes 145 Perigrin de Fidei Comiss art 16 nu 18. b L. 14 de admi leg c Rebuff ad l. Appellatione vers Tertio de verb. Sign d L. fi Servus §. qui quinque ff de Leg. 1. e Menoch de Praesump lib. 4 praesumpt 105 nu 2. f Mantic. lib. 6 tit 4 n. 1. g Covar cap. cum tibi lib. 2 var. Resolut h Math. ad Guid. Pap. quaest 459. i Additionator ad Gomez var. Reso tom 1 c. 12 n. 2. k Math. ad dict quaest 459 Gomez dict c. 12 n. 2. l Mantic. lib. 3 tit 17. m Mant. dict tit 17 nu 2. n Mantic. ibid o L. cum pater §. pater pluribus ff de legat 2. p L. ult §. 1. de Dol. Excep Roman Singu 535. q Hill 14 Jac. B. R. per Cur. Rol. Abridgm tit Execut. Litt. X. r Mich. 24 Eliz Weasts Case Moo Rep. nu 314 Stat. 34 H. 8 32 of Wills a Supra part 1 cap. 13 14. b §. Siquidem Inst de Legatis c §. Falsa Inst Ibid. d L. Demonstratio de Condit Demon. e Pap. Not. 1 tit de Legat. vers dePareil c. f Rebuff de dilat att 2 gl 2 nu 18. g §. longe Inst de Legat. h Rebuff ad l. 27 vers ideo De Verb. Sign i Gomez Var. Resol in Tom. 1 cap. 12 nu 76. k Gomez Var. Resol Tom. 1 cap. 12. nu 76. l Menoch de Praesump l 4 praes 14. Galgan de Cond part 2 c. 4 q. 1 2. m Ibid. Menoch praesum 24. n Leon. Galgan de Cond part 1 cap. 5 nu 26. o L. cum tale §. pâ—n de Cond Demon p Cuja indict §. pen. q L. utilitas §. 1 de manum test r L. si ita ibid. dict l. utilit ibid. s Gomez Var. Resol To. 1 cap. 12 nu 70 Grassus §. legatum q. 49 58 vasque de success progr lib. 3 §. 27 nu 15 Mantic. lib. 10 tit 5 nu 15 16. t Menoch Cons 131. lib. 1 u L. in condiionib §. 1 de Cond Demon. l. 2. 〈◊〉 de his quae â—oen nom w L. mutuo 〈◊〉 Iff. de Tutel x §. Conditiones Inst de â—erb Oblig y L. 2 de 〈◊〉 Inst a Perk. Sect. 500 Dyer b Perk. Sect. 527 Lit. Broo. Sect. 437 Dyer 272. Plow 520. c L. cum alienam C. de Legat Grass §. legatum q. 14 nu 2 Cui ac ad Leg. virum ex familia §. si rem tuam De Legat. d L. non dubium §. ult De Legat. 3. e L. unum ex familia §. Si rem tuam de Legat. 2 Grass §. legatum q. 14 nu 7. f Gomez var. Resol tom 1 cap. 12 nu 14. g §. Sed si rem Inst de Legat. h Plow Grantham's Case Coo. sup Lit. 185 308. i Perk. Sect. 526 Littl. 287 Dr. Stu. 167. k Plow 525. Broo. Adm. 7 Fitz. Adm. 3. a Terms of Law Verb. Gavelkind Dyer fo 153. verb. Devise b Fitz. N. B. ex gravi querela Dr. Stud. l. 1 cap. 7 10. c Little tit Burgage d Princip Grounds fo 20. e 27 H. 8 cap. 10. It is not Necessary that the Will wherein Burgage Land is Devised should be in Writing But the Custom of the Place as to the Probat and Enrollment of such Wills ought to be observed F. N. B. Ex gravi querela Broo. tit Devise 22 43 51. f Dyer in Stat. of Wills 32 34 H. 8. An Estate for years might be Devised at the Common Law by him who was Possess'd thereof but an Estate in Fee might not Also a Guardian in Knight-Service might Devise the Wardship both of Body and Land 50 Ass 1 Admit Roll. Abridg. tit Devise lit B. g Dyer ibid. cap. 4. h Ibid. i Perk. Sect. 496. k Dyer ubi supra cap. 1. §. 7. l St. 32. 34. H. 8. m Stat. ibid. Co. 4. 51. Broo. tit Test 13. Co. sup Lit. 112. 4. 61. Broo. Devise 32. n Sk. Epit. verb. Testam fo 933. o Dyer in Stat. 32. 34. H. 8. p Dyer ibid. q 5 6. Ed. 6. c. 11 prerog Reg. Plowd 258 259 261. r Dyer in St. of Wills s Perk. 505. 510. t Dyer 303 304. B. R Cur. Mich. 3. Jac. u F. 9. Jac. B. R w New Terms of Law tit Devise But by the Civil Law it is otherwise Paul de Castr in l. qui filiabus §. 1. ff de Legibus x Dyer in St. 32. H. 8. y Dyer ibid. z Ibid. a Ibid. b Ibid. c Ibid on the St. of Wills c. 4. §. 1. d Perk. 476 477. March Rep. f. 206 pl 245. e Dyer ubi supra f Ibid. g Dyer on the Stat. of Wills