Knapp v. Bailey

Peters, C. J.

This bill seeks to remove a cloud overhanging-complainant’s title- to- an undivided parcel of land — in effect, to redeem the land from an equitable mortgage, the allegation being that the debt has been paid. We can. have no reasonable: doubt of the facts thus far alleged;.

*201 The defendant’s grantor was called as a witness by the complainant. The defendant contends that his testimony was inadmissible, and cites cases which sustain the ordinary principle, that a grantor cannot dispute with his grantee the title which he has assumed to convey. The objection goes to the testimony, and not to the witness personally. The principle of estoppel, which is invoked, is aimed not against the witness because he is a grantor, but against any oral testimony to contradict the terms of a deed. As said by Judge Curtis, in answer to the same objection, "the facts to be proved were dehors the record, and one witness was as competent, in point of law (to prove them), as another.” Where a grantor is allowed to prove a fact by another, he may do so by himself. Holbrook v. Bank, 2 Curtis, 246.

It is true, as a general rule, that the effect of a deed cannot be controlled by oral evidence. But among the exceptions to the rule is, that, in equity, where the proof is clear and convincing, a deed absolute on its face may be construed to be an equitable mortgage. In Rowell v. Jewett, 69 Maine, 293, this exceptional doctrine was first allowed to have operation in this state. It was fully accepted in Stinchfield v. Milliken, 71 Maine, 567, where the opinion says : "But the transaction was in equity a mortgage — an equitable mortgage. The criterion is the intention of the parties. In equity, this intention may be ascertained from all pertinent facts, either within or without the written parts of the transaction. Where the intention is clear that an absolute conveyance is taken as a security for a debt, it is in equity a mortgage. The real intention governs.” In Lewis v. Small, 71 Maine, 552, the same doctrine is admitted. It has since been affirmed in other cases, receiving an able discussion in the late case of Reed v. Reed, 75 Maine, 264. The effect of many of the older cases in this state has been swept away by this new principle in our legal system, a product of the growth of the law, very greatly promoted by legislative stimulation. The present case must be governed by the equitable rule declared in the later decisions.

Another question presented by the case, is, whether the *202 statutory provision (R. S., c. 73, § 12) which declares that a title of a purchaser for a valuable consideration cannot be defeated by a trust, unless the purchaser had notice thereof, means actual or constructive notice. Section 8 of the same chapter requires " actual notice ” of an unrecorded deed, to defeat a subsequent purchaser’s title from the same grantor. The two sections were incorporated in our statutory system at the same time, — in the revision of 1841. One requires "notice,” the other "actual notice.”

We think the difference in phraseology may be accounted for partly on the idea that section 8 would be applicable more to law cases, and section 12 more to questions in equity. We can have no doubt- that there may be cases of constructive trusts where section 12 would apply. At the same time, where the facts present questions analogous to those ordinarily arising under the other section, we think actual notice would be required; that under either section, in cases generally, actual notice, as we understand the meaning of the term, would be the rule ; and -that actual notice applies in the present case.

There is a conflict in the cases and among writers as to what is actual notice. Much of the difference is said to be verbal only, more apparent than real. Certain propositions, however, are quite well agreed upon by a majority of the authorities.

Notice does not mean knowledge, — actual knowledge is not required. Mr. Wade describes the modes of proving actual notice as of two kinds. One he denominates express notice, and the other implied. "Implied, which imputes knowledge to the party because he is shown to be conscious of having the means of knowledge, though he does not use them. In other -words, -where he chooses to remain voluntarily ignorant of the fact, or is grossly negligent in not following up the inquiry which the known facts suggest.” Wade Not. (2d ed.) § 5. Some writers use the word implied as meaning constructive, and would regard what is here described to be implied actual notice as constructive notice merely. As applicable to actual notice, such as is required by the sections of the statute under consideration, we think the classification of the author, whom we quote, is satisfactory.

*203 The author further explains the distinction by adding that "notice by implication differs from constructive notice, with which it is frequently confounded, and which it greatly resembles, with respect to the character of the inference upon which it rests ; constructive notice being the creature of positive law, or resting upon strictly legal inference, while implied notice arises from inference of fact.”

It amounts substantially to this, that actual notice may be proved by direct evidence, or it may be inferred, or implied, (that is, proved) as a fact from indirect evidence — by circumstantial evidence. A man may have notice or its legal equivalent. He may be so situated as to be estopped to deny that he had actual notice. We are speaking of the statutory notice required under the conveyances act. A higher grade of evidence may be necessary to prove actual notice appertaining to commercial paper. Kellogg v. Curtis, 69 Maine, 212.

The same facts may sometimes be such as to prove both constructive and actual notice, that is, a court might infer constructive notice and a jury infer actual notice from the facts. There may be cases where the facts show actual, when they do not warrant the inference of constructive notice ; as where a deed is not regularly recorded, and not giving constructive notice, but a second purchaser sees it on the records, thereby receiving actual notice. Hastings v. Cutler, 24 N. H. 481.

Mr. Pomeroy (2 Eq. Jur. 596, note) summarizes the effect of the American cases on the point under discussion in the following words : " In a few of the states the courts have interpreted the intention of the legislature as demanding that the personal information of the unrecorded instrument should be proved by direct evidence, and as excluding all instances of actual notice established by circumstantial evidence. In most of the states, however, where this statutory clause is found, the courts have defined the ' actual notice ’ required by the legislature as embracing all instances of that species in contradistinction from constructive notice, — that is, all kinds of actual notice, whether proved by direct evidence or inferred as a legitimate conclusion from circumstances.”

*204 The doctrine of actual notice implied by circumstances (actual notice in-the second degree) necessarily involves the rule that a purchaser before buying should clear up the doubts which apparently hang upon the title, by making due inquiry and investigation.. If a party has knowledge of such facts as would lead a fair and prudent man, using ordinary caution, to make further inquiries, and he avoids the inquiry, he is chargeable with notice of the facts which by ordinary diligence he would have ascertained. He has no right to shut his eyes against the light before him. He does a wrong not to heed the " signs and signals” seen by him. It may be well concluded that he is avoiding notice of that which he in reality believes or knows. Actual notice of facts which, to the mind of a prudent man, indicate notice is proof of notice. 3 Wash. Real Prop. 3d ed. 335.

It must be -admitted that our present- views are not fully supported by the case of Spofford v. Weston, 29 Maine, 140, a decision made-forty years ago. But the doctrine has grown liberally since -that day, and the correctness of some things pronounced in that opinion is virtually denied in subsequent cases. Porter v. Sevey, 43 Maine, 519; Hull v. Noble, 40 Maine, 459; Jones v. McNarrin, 68 Maine, 334. Many cases which affirm the doctrine contended for by the complainant, as well as many opposing cases, are cited by the text waiters. Wade, Notice, § § 10, 11, et seq. and cases in notes. 2 Pom. Eq. Jur. § 603, and notes. The decided,, preponderance of aqthoi’ity supports the position that the statutory "actual notice” is-a conclusion of fact capable of being established by all grades of legitimate evidence.

As to. what would be a sufficiency of facts to excite inquiry no rule can very well establish; each case depends upon its own facts. There is a great inconsistency in the cases upon this point. But we are satisfied that in the case before us, the defendant must be charged with notice that his grantor held title by, what equity must declare to be an invalid deed. He saw that the .-grantor was out of possession. He could have easily ascertained that he never had possession He knew that others had *205 controlled the property iii many ways for many years. He examined the registry, where he discovered the deed in question, and there must have seen evidence of other conveyances inconsistent with its full validity. He purchased the property for forty dollars, while worth, had the title been perfect, nearer one thousand dollars. He took a quitclaim deed, and it is held by some courts that such an instrument of conveyance does not make him a bona fide purchaser without notice. Baker v. Humphrey, 101 U. S. 494 . Although in our system it is a circumstance only, bearing on the question. Mansfield v. Dyer, 131 Mass. 200 . More than all else perhaps, the defendant made no inquiry of the grantor whether he had any real title or not, asking no explanations, but insisting to him that he had no valuable title. It is impossible for us to say, in the light of these impressive, illuminating proofs, that the defendant purchased without notice. He purchased on the basis of a merely nominal title.

We would not say that he did not believe he could legally purchase, encouraged as he was by the doctrine of the earlier cases, now abrogated; nor do we impute more than a want of caution and diligence. Men’s interests spur their judgments to one-sided conclusions oftentimes. The great dramatist makes a character, reluctant to acknowledge the situation, say, "I cannot dare to know that which I knowwhile another, ,more quick-sighted, because anxious to believe, exclaims, "Seems, madam! Nay, it is. I know not seems.” One rejects proof on the clearest facts ; the other accepts it on the slightest.

Judgment affirmed.

Walton, Danforth, Emery, Foster and Haskell, JJ., concurred.