Bennett's Heirs v. Alexander , 15 La. Ann. 469 ( 1860 )

Merrick, 0. J.

“ The petition sots forth, that Nancy Bennett, of Lewis county, New York, Abagail Bennett, John Bennett and David Bennett, of North Ward, Rockingham county, New Hampshire, Ebenezer Bennett, of Lee, Stafford county, in said State, Seymore E. Bennett, and Caroline D. Bennett, of Franklin county, State of Alabama, with Sarah Cooley, of Tuscumbia, in said State, are the only heirs at law of Rebecca B. Bennett, who was the wife of James II. Cane, deceased, and that each one of the aforesaid persons, represent one share in said Rebecca B. Cane’s succession, except Seymore E. Bennett and Caroline D. Bennett, who represent one interest, to-wit: the interest of Jeremiah Bennett deceased.”

“ That said Rebecca B. Bennett died, and her succession was opened in tho parish of Caddo, in the year 1838, and that James H. Cane, her husband, was appointed administrator of the same.”

“ That an inventory was taken of the property held in community between the said Rebecca B. Cane and her husband, the said James H. Cane, on the 9th of April, 1838, and the same was appraised at the sum of twenty-one thousand, six hundred and sixty-five dollars, ($21,665.) That on the petition of tho said James H. Cane, administrator and partner in the community, said property was sold by ordor of court on the 15th day of May, 1838, for cash, and Samuel Bennett became the purchaser thereof, for the sum at which it was appraised as aforesaid ; one-half of said sum, to-wit: ten thousand, eight hundred and thirty-two dollars and fifty cents, ($10,832 50-100,) being- the share of the succession of tho said Rebecca B. Cane in said sum.”

“ That said amount is now due and owing to petitioners as heirs at law of said Rebecca B. Cane, from the succession of the said James H. Cane.”

“ That James H. Cane died in the year 1846, and his succession was opened in the parish of Bossier, and Mary D. C. Bennett, now Alexander, who was the wife of the said Cane, was appointed administratrix of Ms succession and tutrix of Ms only child, who is yet a minor.”

“ The petition concludes with a prayer for judgment against tho said M. D. C. Alexander, in her aforesaid capacity, for the sum of ten thousand, eight hundred and thirty-two dollars fifty cents, ($10,832 50-100,) with five per cent, interest from the 15th day of May, 1838, until paid; to bo recognized as heirs of Rebecca Cane, whoso succession they accept. Petitioners further pray that M. D. C. Alexander bo ordered to file an account of said succession, and for all orders necessary in the premises and for general relief.”

“ The defendant pleads a general denial, and the prescriptions of 3, 5,10,15 and 20 years, and all other prescriptions applicable, and for trial by jury.”

“ A trial by jury was refused.”

“Plaintiffs show that James H. Cane was appointed administrator 10th April, 1838, and Samuel Bennett, attorney of absent heirs. The community property was inventoried and appraised at $21,665. All of said property was sold at public auction by the parish judge, and adjudicated to Samuel Bennett, for the sum of $21,665, on the 15th May, 1838.”

“ It is admitted that plaintiffs, together with Sarah Cooley, Samuel Bennett and William S. Bennett, were at his death the only legal heirs of Rebecca Cane."

“ It does not appear that Cane ever filed an account of his administration. It does not appear that plaintiffs were ever advised of their rights by the attorney of absent heirs. It does not appear that the administrator caused the publications to be made, required by Article 1127 O. O.”

“ The foregoing are the only material facts and allegations in the record. The judgment of the District Court was, as in case of nonsuit."

“ But two points are presented for consideration.”

“ I. Is this action prescribed ?”

“ II. If not, are plaintiffs entitled to a judgment for the interest, as well as the principal, claimed by them ?”

It will only be necessary to consider the first of these questions. And in order to ascertain whether prescription has been acquired by the defendant, it is necessary to ascertain the nature of the action.

The plaintiffs contend that it is in the nature of an action of revendieation for an entire succession and not properly a personal action.

It is true, that the plaintiffs pray to be recognized as heirs of Rebecca Cane, deceased. But this might have been done on simple petition in the probate court, and it can in no manner affect the character of the suit, for they must accept the inheritance, as well to bring a suit for a sum of money, as for an immovable, or the entire succession.

Looking to the allegations and prayer of the petition we find the action is a personal one. The defendants are called upon to account for moneys received in a fiduciary capacity by their ancestor, on account of the succession of Rebecca Cane, deceased, and a judgment for $10,832 50, in money, is demanded against them. No one thing (much less the collection of things,) which belonged to the succession of Rebecca Cane is demanded. The defendants, if liable at all, are liable for so much money as their ancestor may have made by sales of property, the proceeds of which he had not disbursed.

But it is contended in the elaborate brief of plaintiffs’ counsel, that James H. Cane could not during his life-time plead prescription, and that, therefore, his heirs cannot plead it after his decease.

This argument is not conclusive. The reason why James H. Cane could not acquire prescription while he lived, was, that he was, in virtue of his letters of administration and quasi office, a party to a proceeding pending in court, in the parish of Caddo, and at all times subject to the rules and motions which might be made in a succession under administration. When he died this relationship ceased. His succession was opened in the parish of Bossier, and all demands for money, even on account of his administration of the succession of Rebecca Cane, wore cognizable by the court of the parish of Bossier. His heirs had no right to letters of administration upon the succession of Rebecca Cane and stood towards itas strangers. The fiduciary, and quasi official, relation which existed on the part of the ancestor towards the court and succession of Rebecca Cane, did not descend to the heir. The latter, not being a party to the mortuary proceedings in Caddo, was not bound by their pendency. He stood as his ancestor would have stood had he been removed or discharged on the rendition of an account. Prescription, therefore, commenced to ran from the death of James H. Cane in 1846, and this suit was not commenced until September, 1858, thus giving place to the ten years prescription. The cases of Wilson v. McGreal, 12 An. 351, and Deranco v. Montgomery, 13 An. 513, appear to us to be decisive of this controversy.

The defendants pray, that the judgment be amended in their favor, so as to make the same final. The proof justifies the prayer.

It is, therefore, ordered, adjudged and decreed by the court, that the judgment of the lower court bo amended, and that there be final judgment in favor of the defendant and against the plaintiffs’ demand, and that the plaintiffs pay the costs of both courts.