Stinson v. Pickering

Guardian. Equity — practice in. In a bill in equity against an infant defendant, her guardian by probate appointment cannot appear for Ms ward if his interests in the result of the suit be adverse to hers. In such case a guardian ad litem must be appointed. In a bill in equity against an infant defendant no admission made in the answer of the guardian ad litem can bind the infant; but the whole ease as against the infant must be proved.

On report. Bill in equity, against Elisha Pickering, guardian of Anna F. Pickering, a minor daughter of the other defendant, and Anna F. Pickering the minor. The bill alleges in substance that on April 23, 1873, Elisha Pickering conveyed certain land described to Francis Worcester and that the wife of the grantor joined in the deed releasing her right of dower therein ; that on July 24, 1876, he conveyed certain other land to John H. Stinson by a similar deed; that on September 27, 1875, he conveyed by a similar deed certain other land to the Stinson Granite Co.; that said lots have passed by sundry mesne conveyances to the complainant. That said several grantees paid full consideration for their respective conveyances and entered into possession of the same under their deeds. That said grantees and their assigns have made large expenditures of money upon the lots and the plaintiff and others are making large expenditures thereon for the purpose of opening and developing mines of ore supposed to exist therein. That the said grantees and this complainant, when they accepted their respective deeds, and when they made the said improvements, believed that the said deeds from Elisha Pickering with a release therein of his wife’s right of dower, conveyed an absolute and indefeasible title in fee to said premises free from all incumbrances. That said complainant is informed and alleges that the title to said premises, at .the time of the execution of said deeds was in grantor’s wife Maria F. Pickering, and that by accident or mistake said deeds were prepared and executed upon the supposition said Elisha owned the premises in fee and in his own name. That said deeds did not pass the legal title to the premises therein described, although the said Elisha and Maria supposed they were conveying and intended to convey the same, and the grantees supposed they were receiving a perfect title to the several premises ; that deeds were made to said Maria as grantee by mistake in consequence of the absence of her husband Elisha; but that said Elisha paid the whole consideration therefor, and that he and his wife always considered and treated the several premises as his property; that said Maria died intestate on September lé, 1876, leaving her said husband and said Anna her only child surviving; that said Maria, at time of her death, held the legal title to said lands subject to an implied trust in favor of and for the sole benefit of said grantees and their assigns; that since her death, said Anna has had the legal title thereto by descent sub ject to the same trust, "and now holds the same in trust and for the sole use and benefit of the plaintiff, and that said Anna has no other interest whatever in the premises. That said Anna is aware of the facts above set forth, and is willing that the complainant’s title should be perfected, but that she is a minor and incapable of making a valid conveyance thereof; that the defect in complainant’s bill is a cloud thereon; and that the said Elisha is the duly appointed guardian of said Anna. Prayer for a decree that defendants have no interest in the lands described ; that they be enjoined from claiming any title thereto ; and that they be ordered to convey to complainant all their right, title and interests in the same. Answers substantially admit all the matters alleged in the bill; and that the conveyance to Maria F. Pickering was not intended as a gift. The court to render judgment upon the bill and answer.