Lund v. Parker

Richardson, C. J. delivered the opinion of the court. There is no doubt, that possession of land without title, or color of title, is sufficient evidence of a seisin, in the possessor, to entitle him to hold the land, against every person, who can shew no better evidence of title. 2 John. 22, Jackson vs. Hazen.—4 ditto 202, Jackson vs. Harder.—10 ditto 338, Smith vs. Lorillard.—16 ditto 314. But, when he, who is in possession of land, attempts to -avail himself of possession as a bar to the legal title, he must shew not only an undisturbed possession for twenty years, but a possession adverse to the title of the legal owner. In settling the question, whether possession is adverse or not, every presumption is to be made in favor of the legal title. The law presumes, that the possession has gone with. [51] the title, until the contrary is shewn. 10 Mass. Rep. 146, Codman vs. Winslow.—4 ditto 416. There are various circumstances, by which the character of possession may be determined. If one man enters into the land of another, who has the legal title, and actually turns him out, and continues in possession, such actual ouster would be strong evidence, that the possession was adverse. So, actual resistance to the entry of the owner would be decisive evidence of adverse possession. And when an entry is made under color of title, however defective that title may be, be, who enters, is presumed to claim, according to his title, and his possession to be adverse to all other titles. 13 John. 118, Jackson vs. Ellis—18 ditto 40, 355. Thus, where one received a deed, conveying to him a lot of land, and went into possession under his deed, it turned out afterwards that the grantor had title to only one ninth part of the land, as a tenant in common ; it was held, that as he entered under a deed, conveying the whole, he must be deemed to have entered, as sole owner of the whole, and that his possession must be considered as adverse. 13 John. 406, Jackson vs. Smith. Under certain circumstances, Ihe time, during which possession has been enjoyed, may atford a strong presumption, that it has been adverse. Thus, where one tenant in common continued in possession thirty-six years, receiving all the rents and profits, without any claim by the other tenant ; it was held, that a jury might presume, from these circumstances, an actual ouster, and adverse possession. Fisshar vs. Prosser, Cowp. 217.—1 Caine's Rep. 83, Vandyck vs. Vanburen. An open, visible possession, for fifty years, and this known to those who had the legal title, w ithout any attempt by them to assert it, seems to have been held to be conclusive evidence of a disseisin. 6 Mass. Rep. 229, Bost. Mill Corp. vs. Bulfinch. Where one continued in possession more than thirty years, making valuable improvements, receiving all the rents and profits, and claiming an exclusive piopeity in the land, it w7as held to be abundant evidence of adverse possession. 10 Mass. Rep. 464, Cummings vs. Wyman. [52] When a man enters into land, without color of title, the presumption of law is, that he enters under him who Inis the title ; and when he attempts to avail himseif of his pos'Session against the title, the proof rests upon him to rehut the legal presumption, and 'shew Shat his possession was adverse. 4 Mass Rep 416, Proprietors of Kennebeck Purchase vs. Springer—1 John 157—2 ditto 230, Juckson vs. Schoonmoker.—4 ditto 230, 390—9 ditto 102, 163, 174—6 ditto 197, Smith vs Burtis.—10 ditto 475—12 ditto 365.—13 ditto 537.—16 ditto 301—1 Caine's Rep 358, Jackson vs. Bowen. In the present case, the defendants shewed a. title. The plaintiff relied upon an adverse possession in those, under whom he claimed, for more than twenty years. It appeared, that Samuel Chamberlain entered upon the land in 1780 ; but there was no evidence, that he entered under any title, or color of title ; nor was there any thing in the character of his possession, from which it would have been competent for a jury to infer, that it was adverse. After the death of Sam-ttel Chamberlain, his son, Wilder, was in possession ; but it did not appear, that there was any thing in the nature of his possession, which could give it the character of adverse possession, unless he had entered as heir to his father. It was submitted to the jury to inv. whether he had so entered ; and they found that he did not. All the possession, then, on which the plaintiff relied, was •without color of title, and must be presumed to he in subordination to the legal title, until the contrary is shewn. This presumption is not only reasonable it itself, but is well supported by authorities. Where a man enters upon the land of another, without pretence of title, he is entitled to no presumption in his favor. Our statute, which gives an allowance for improvements made upon land, to him who has been in possession six years under a supposed legal title, makes no provision for him who enters without title. We are, therefore, of opinion, that the jury were not misdirected.