Pate v. . Hazell

Shepherd, J.: The defendant, the legal owner of the sewing-machine, leased it to Annie Smith (now Mrs. Atkinson), who, with her husband, pledged it to the plaintiff. The plaintiff held it in his possession about four years, when it was discovered and taken by the defendant. The plaintiff claims title by reason of his four years’ possession. It is argued that the possession of a chattel confers title when the possession has been of sufficient duration to bar an action for its recovery, and for this position the case of Campbell v. Holt, 115 U. S., 620, is cited. Whatever may have been held by that Court, we are of the opinion that no such principle has ever been recognized as a rule of the common law in North Carolina. Such was the statute law before the adoption of the present Code (see ch. 65, § 20, Rev. Code), but this was repealed, leaving no fixed period when such possession should raise a conclusive presumption of title. There is no dou'bt that the possession of a chattel is prima fade evidence of ownership, and this possession, if adverse and long continued, may ripen into a good title; but we cannot hold, in the absence of legislation, that four years’ possession (especially under the circumstances of this case) can have the effect of defeating the true owner, who is now in the actual possession of his property. Affirmed.