Trammell v. Neal , 1879 Tex. LEXIS 154 ( 1879 )

A. S. Walker, J.

The application of the settled principles applied to estates, inheritance, homesteads and limitation to the facts in evidence affords a ready solution of. the disputed points in this case.

We may treat the facts under two inquiries:

1st. Where, under the laws of descent, as modified by the homestead laws, is the title to this land? and

2d. What changes, if any, are made by limitation.

The testimony shows that early in 1850 John Gibson purchased the land of J. W. Flanagan, paying a part, and taking a title bond. (We think the' testimony sufficiently identifies this purchase. The bond was lost, and its contents supplied by parol testimony.) Gibson began making preparations to move upon the land, and, pending the preparations, died, and was buried on it. His wife Elizabeth at once moved upon the land; the remaining part of the purchase money was paid out of the assets of the estate of the husband. ' The family cqnsisted of Elizabeth, the widow, and their children, all minors, Hattie, Elonora and a son. The designation by the deceased, the prompt occupation of the land as a homestead, attached that character to the land, It descended, then, one-half to the widow, Elizabeth, and one-sixth to each of the children; not to be partitioned while used by the family as homestead.

In 1856 Mattie intermarried with Trammell, and moved to a new home. This act severed her connection as a part of the family of which her mother was the head. Whitehead v. Nickelson, 48 Tex., 530; Roco v. Green, 50 Tex., 483. The son also married, and with his wife moved to their home in Angelina county. There was then left the mother, Elizabeth Gibson, and her daughter Elonora, as the family.

Before 1862 Mrs. Mattie Trammell had become a widow, having two daughters by her marriage. In 1864, with her two children, she returned to her mother’s, and was staying there. The son was in the Confederate service, and in 1864 his wife and infant son, John Bell, were also staying with the mother. This return to the old homestead, so far as the testimony shows, did not restore them as parts of the family. Roco v. Green, 50 Tex., 483.

In October, 1864, the mother died owing some debts, and having no other property but the homestead, and, we may presume, exempt household property, etc.

Upon her death her interest in the homestead descended to the daughter Elonora, who had never married nor left her mother. Pas. Dig., 1305; Green v. Crow, 17 Tex., 188; Reeves v. Petty, 44 Tex., 249; Horn v. Arnold, 52 Tex., 161.

If the homestead was community property upon the death of the mother, Elonora would have two-thirds interest, and Mrs. Trammell and the son one-sixth each. The son was killed nine days after his mother’s death, and the plaintiff, John Bell, inherited his interest.

Inasmuch as the homestead character of the land, or that part of it which had been owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Gibson, passed by the laws of descent (Pas. Dig., 1305) to the unmarried daughter — being the child — part of the family,— it was not subject to administration.

The sale, therefore, by the administrator passed no title as against Elonora, who owned it; nor could the sale affect the interests of herself, her sister Mattie, or of her nephew, in the land inherited from John Gibson on his death in 1850.

A result equally unfavorable to defendant Neal would follow should it be held that the land had been acquired by Mrs. Elizabeth Gibson, and was her separate property. In such case the daughter Elonora would take the whole interest.

As to the effect of limitation, Lewis, the purchaser at the administration sale, sold to W. W. Morris; Morris in 1867 to Mrs. Ellen E. Gould; she and her husband, March 24, 1875, to defendant Meal. Morris at his sale handed the keys to the house to Gould. Gould made valuable improvements on the land, and held possession until his sale to Meal, paying all taxes demanded. The deeds were all recorded. There was nothing in the deed from Morris to Mrs. Gould to prevent it from being the basis of adverse possession under the five years’ statute of limitation.

The five years’ adverse' possession concluded Mrs. Mattie Trammell. It had no effect as to John Bell Gibson, who was a minor at the trial.

Elonora married in 1866, and left Texas for Louisiana. She became a widow in 1875. While Lewis, Morris and Gould had possession and were transferring the land, she was under coverture, and continued until her husband’s death, which is said to have been in 1870. The constitution of 1869, which was the law at her husband’s death, gave her seven years, after removal of coverture, to assert her right; until that length of time, title by adverse possession or limitation could .not be asserted against her. This suit was brought November 18, 1875, within the seven years, and while that was the period of limitation required to bar the right of a married woman. Art. 12, sec. 19, Const, of 1869; Riddle v. Bickerstaff, 50 Tex., 159; French v. Strumberg, 52 Tex., 92.

[Opinion delivered December 19, 1879.]

The title of plaintiffs, by inheritance, could not be placed on record. The laws of registration did not apply to their title. The chain of title exhibited by the defendant notified the parties through whom it passed sufficiently of the existence of the relation between John and Elizabeth Gibson, and that they had a family — descendants; at least sufficiently to put them upon notice. Besides, the facts could have been known, as while they were transpiring all the parties were residing in the immediate neighborhood.

The judgment below was not warranted by the testimony and should be reversed.

Reversed and remanded.