Hackett v. Moxley

The opinion of the court wás delivered' by START, J. This cause was heard on demurrer to the bill. The oratrix alleges that Abbie Hackett and her two sisters were the owners of a farm ; that while they So owned it Abbie Hackett became the wife' of the defendant; that afterwards, on the 4th day of May, 1871,'the farm was sold at auction, and the defendant became the owner; that Abbie Moxley’s share of the purchase money was five hundred and forty-seven dollars and forty-eight cents, for which the defendant gave her his note of that date, payable to her or bearer, in two years from' its date, with interest"ánñually; that the note was delivered' to Abbie M'oxléy, and was by her kept as her own property, separate and apart from the property of the defendant, until she gave it to the oratrix; that the note was given in payment of the share or interest of said Abbie Móxley in the estate of her father, and that no part of the consideration thereof came from any other or different property or source; that the defendant made payments on the note from time to timé, the sum of which is [74] four hundred and forty-three dollars and thirty-seven cents; that the value of the farm is five hundred dollars ; that said Abbie Moxley died November 27, 1890; that the oratrix is the niece of said Abbie Moxley; that said Abbie Moxley gave and delivered said note to the oratrix, subject to no limitations or qualifications except that said Abbie Moxley reserved the right to use such portion of the avails of the note as she might require during her lifetime; that she did not require any of the avails of the note, or in any way revoke or cancel said gift; and that since said gift was made the oratrix has held said note as her sole ánd absolute property. It not appearing that the wife held the real estate to her sole and separate use, the defendant claims that it is infera-ble from the bill that he was entitled to the use of the estate, at least during the life of his wife, and that, to the extent of this interest, the note is without consideration, and cannot be enforced in a court of law or equity. By the conveyances the defendant became seized of the estate in his own right. He could sell and convey it, and if not conveyed by him it would descend to his heirs. A majority of-the court are of the opinion that it is fairly inferable from the facts stated in the bill that the defendant promised to pay the five hundred dollars evidenced by-thé note in; consideration of the additional lights acquired by the- conveyance. - ’Also, that the defendant could waive his marital rights in and to the estate, and that nothing appearing to the contrary, it may.be inferred from the fact that he- took an absolute conveyance of the estate, gave>his note therefor, made payments thereon, and treated the note as the separate estate of his wife, that he intended to do so. If the defendant intended, by taking the conveyance and giving his note therefor, to waive his marital rights in and to the estate, or made the promise evidenced by the note in consideration of rights acquired by the conveyance i'n addition to his marital rights, the promise [75] is enforceable 'in a court of equity. Barron v. Barron et al., 24 Vt. 375 ; Cardell v. Ryder et al., 35 Vt. 47 ; Richardson, Admr., v. Estate of Merrill et al., 32 Vt. 27; Pinney et al. v. Fellows et al., 15 Vt. 525; Templeton v. Brown, 86 Tenn. 50; McCampbell v. McCampbell, 2 Lea. 661 (31 Am. Rep. 623) ; May v. May, 9 Neb. 16 (31 Am. Rep. 399) ; White and Wife v. Waite, 47 Vt. 502 ; Child v. Pearl, 43 Vt. 224. The oratrix’s rights rest wholly upon the equitable rights of the wife. She paid nothing for the note, and there has been no new promise. The note itself is not enforceable, but it is evidence of an equitable claim, enforceable by the wife in her lifetime in a court of equity only, and by the gift and delivery of it to the oratrix, this equitable claim was transferred to her, and is enforceable by her in a court of equity only. Sweat v. Hall, 8 Vt. 187. It is contended that no valid gift of this claim could be made without a written assignment. The equitable claim of the wife was evidenced by the note, and the delivery of the evidence of the claim, under the circumstances stated in the bill, constitutes a valid gift. A good and effectual equitable assignment of a chose in action may be by parol, and courts of equity will take notice of and give effect to such assignments. Grover, Admr., v. Grover, 24 Pick. 261 (35 Am. Dec. 319) ; Bates, Admr., v. Kempton, 7 Gray 382. The condition annexed to the gift does not nullify it. The only condition of defeasance was the right of the donor to .use such portions of the avails of the note as she might require during her lifetime. She required nothing, and by her death the gift was freed from this condition of defeasance. The case of Blanchard v. Sheldon, 43 Vt. 512, is full authority for this holding. The consent of the husband to the gift was not necessary.The equitable claim being the separate estate of the wife, she could dispose of it'in the same manner as if unmarried. [76] 3 Pom. Eq. Jur., § 1,104 ; Willard, Admr., v. Dow, 54 Vt. 188; Caldwell, Admr., v. Renfrew, 33 Vt. 213. The pro forma decree of the court of chancery is reversed; demurrer overruled; bill .adjudged sufficient, and cause remanded. ' ■ . ;