Jacoway v. McGarrah

Mr. Chief Justice English delivered the opinion of the court! Mary McGarrah filed a bill for dower in lands owned by her deceased husband during his life time, against a number of persons alleged to claim the legal title, and to be in possession of the lands, and also against Benjamin J. Jacoway, who, it was alleged, had, by fraudulent means, obtained a deed from complainant transferring to him her dower interest in the lands. The bill prays that the deed from complainant to Jacoway be cancelled, and that she be assigned dower in the lands, etc. Some of the defendants alleged to claim the legal title to the lands, etc., answered the bill, and a decree pro confesso was taken against others. , Jacoway filed an answer to the bill, denying that he had obtained the deed from complainant, transferring to him her dower interest in the lands, by fraudulent means as alleged, but averring that he had purchased her interest and obtained the transfer fairly, etc. He also made his answer a cross-bill against his co-defeudants, setting up his purchase of complainant’s right to dower in the lands, interrogating them as to the value of the rents and profits, and praying the court to decree to him, and not to complainant, her dower interest in the land, and cause it to be laid off to him, with an account of rents and profits, etc. A subpoena was issued and served upon the co-defendants, who were made parties to the cross-bill; and they appeared and interposed a demurrer thereto, for want of equity, assigning as special cause of demurrer that a dower interest in land could not be aliened before assignment. Jacoway then moved for leave to amend his cross bill by making the complainant in the original bill a defendant thereto, etc. Whilst this motion was pending, and before the court took any action thereon, the original complainant asked leave to dismiss her bill, which was granted by the court, and her bill dismissed, against the objection of Jacoway, who excepted and appealed. In Carnall ad. vs. Wilson, (ante 62.) this court held that the right of dower, until it is assigned to the widow, is a mere chose in action; and though the widow may relinquish the right to the heirs at law, or to one holding the legal title to the lands under the husband, etc., and such relinquishment will bar her right to recover dower, yet she cannot alien or transfer her claim to dower so as to vest in any other person the right of action therefor. There being no equity on the face of the cross-bill, the appellant was not prejudiced by the leavé granted to the appellee to dismiss the original bill, and the decree is affirmed.