ASHETON v. ASHETON, 1 U.S. 4 (1760)

U.S. Supreme Court

ASHETON v. ASHETON , 1 U.S. 4 (1760)  1 U.S. 4 (Dall.)

The Lessee of Ashton v. Ashton

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania April Term, 1760

On special Verdict. Devise to the first Heir Male of I.S. when he shall arrive to the Age of 21 Years, he paying to A. and B. the Daughters of I.S. L. 40 each. After Deviser's Death I.S. had a Son, who attained the Age of 21 Years, and paid his Sisters the L. 40 each.

The Question was, whether the Son of I. S. could take by executory Devise? It was objected for the Defendant, 1st. That this being a present Devise it could not take Effect because to a Persor not in esse. 2nd. That though it might be construed a future Devise, yet it was too remote; for an executory Devise must take effect within the Compass of a Life or Lives in esse, or at farthest within nine Months after: And in this case I. S. might have had no Son but a Daughter, who might have had a Daughter, who might have had a Son, who would have been the first Heir Male of I. S. which would have been too remote a Contingency, and would have tended to a Perpetuity. And the Case must be considered as at the Time of making the Devise, that is, how it might be; and not how it has actually happened. 3rd. That the Son of I. S. could not take, because the Limitation was to the first Heir Male and Nemo est Hares Viventis.

For the Plaintiff it was answered: 1st. That this was no present Devise, the Testator taking Notice that I. S. had no Son born by the Word first Heir Male, and using the Words when and paying. 2nd. That this Contingency was not too remote, because the Testator by the Words first Heir Male, must have meant first Son; and that such a Construction must be made as to carry the Intent of the Testator into Execution. 3rd. First Heir Male are Words of Purchase and Designatio Personae, and the Law will supply the Words of the Body in a Will.

By the Court. The Intent of the Testator is clear, that the first Son of I. S. should take. Therefore judgment By the Court.

Cases cited; 1 Lord Raym. 207 1 Salk 229 Talbot's Cases 44. 50. 145. 1 Vern 729. Vin Dev. 315. 2 Vent 311. 1 Peer. Williams 229. 3 Co. 20, 2 Peer. Williams 196. 2 Salk 621.

Chew pro Quer. Moland and Dickenson pro Def.*

Footnotes [Footnote *] See 12 Mod. 279. 287. 1 Inst. 24.[ Asheton v. Asheton

Footnote 1 U.S. 4 (1760) ]