Summary
FROM THE DECREE OE THE ORPHANS’ COURT OE CHESTER COUNTY.
No. 415 January Term 1888, Sup. Ct., court below, No..... Term 1887, O. C.
On June 17,1887, Elizabeth M. Neely presented her petition to the Orphans’ Court, sotting forth:
That she was the widow of Robert Neely, late of the borough of West Chester, deceased, who died May 1,1884, having first made his last will and testament, dated October 17,1884; that by his said will the testator directed his executors to set apart sufficient of his personal estate to produce such an income as would pay to the petitioner the annuity of six hundred dollars, provided for and agreed to be paid her by an ante-nuptial contract between them, dated May 16, 1874, and by a codicil to said will the testator had further devised to her the homestead occupied by him and all the furniture therein during so long a term as she should occupy the same; that said will and codicil were duly admitted to probate and letters thereon issued to J. Joseph Graham, Isaac Graham and Alfred P. Reid, the executors therein named, who in due time had filed an inventory and appraisement showing the decedent to have been possessed o£ personal estate to the value of §82,166.85, and to have been seised of real estate to the value of §47,547.22.
That she was married to the testator on May 21, A. D. 1874; that at that time she was residing with her brother, Samuel M. McClure, and that her father had died some two years before; that a few days before their marriage, and more than two months after their betrethal, the testator brought to her a deed designated in the will as a marriage contract, and requested her to sign it; that the day for the marriage ceremony had then been fixed, the minister engaged and the wedding invitations issued; that the subject had never been alluded to between them before; that lie at no time gave her any information as to tbe value or character of his estate, nor had she any knowledge on the subject; that he told her it was absolutely necessary that she should sign the deed, and that there could be no marriage if she did not; that the reason he gave for insisting upon the contract was, that he had got his affairs fixed up, and that the marriage would upset them all unless she signed the paper; that she was greatly disconcerted and distressed by the request, and was unable to read the deed understandingly and to realize its full import and effect; that her brother, Samuel M. McClure, was unable to advise her by reason of his inexperience; that she did not know how to act in the matter, and signed the deed only because of the urgent and imperative character of the testator’s request, and from her confidence in him and in the integrity of his purposes.
That on December 6, A. D. 1884, she gave notice to the executors that as such widow she desired and claimed to have retained, set apart and appraised for her use, personal property to the value of three hundred dollars, but that no attention had been paid to this notice; that more than one year had elapsed since the granting of letters testamentary to the executors, yet they had not exhibited any account and settlement of said estate. She therefore prayed the court:
1. To awrard a citation against the said J. Joseph Graham, Isaac Graham and Alfred P. Reid, executors, commanding them to exhibit such account and settlement or show cause to the contrary.
2. To award and decree that said marriage contract was without validity or binding force upon the petitioner, in the distribution of the said decedent’s estate.
3. To order and direct the said executors to appraise and set apart for the use of the petitioner personal estate belonging to the estate of the said Robert Neely, deceased, to the value of three hundred dollars under her said election.
4: To award and decree to the petitioner as widow of the said Robert Neely, deceased, and against the provisions of his said will, one third of his net personal estate absolutely and one third of his real estate for life.
5. Such further and equitable relief, etc.
A citation was issued and the executors filed an answer thereto, admitting that the statements in the petition as to the death, will and marriage of the decedent, the granting of letters testamentary, the inventories of his estate, and the demand for the widow’s appraisement, were true, but denying that the petitioner was entitled to the relief prayed for, by reason of a marriage contract entered into between the petitioner and the decedent prior to the marriage, and duly executed on May 16, 1874. They further denied all the allegations of the petitioner as to the manner and circumstances under which said contract or deed was executed, and averred on the contrary that the petitioner was well acquainted with the character and value of the estate of the said Robert Neely at the time of the execution of the deed; that at that time she was possessed of a large personal estate which she desired, in case of her death before him, should go to her own relatives; that the deed was executed in the presence of two of her brothers and an uncle, one of said brothers being a party to the contract and the other brother and uncle being witnesses thereto; that the petitioner advised with and consulted said parties as to the execution of said deed, and the same was executed with their full knowledge and approbation; that the said Robert Neely at the time the deed was executed had two children, the issue of former marriages, and the petitioner was a maiden lady, and the provisions for her in the deed were under the circumstances reasonable and proper; that the deed was fully and freely agreed to by the petitioner; that the consideration therefor was good and valuable and the deed a valid and binding contract and a bar to the claim of the petitioner in this proceeding.
Subsequently the petitioner joined issue upon the matters alleged in the answer, and the proceedings were then referred by the court to Mr. William B. Waddell, as auditor, who proceeded so far in the case as to hear all the testimony offered by both the petitioner and the respondents, when it was agreed by all parties in interest, that the testimony thus taken should be submitted to the court, together with the petition and answer, and the court should examine, consider, and pass upon the questions involved.
On July 11, 1887, the testimony taken before the auditor was filed, and the cause was then argued before Futjhey,P. J., and Waddell, J. On January 11,1888, the decision of the court, Waddell, J., was filed and was in part as follows:
At the time of the marriage in question, Robert Neely was about sixty years of age and Elizabeth M. McClure about fifty. They were cousins, but there appears to have been but little intercourse between them prior to the visiting which resulted in their betrothal. .This extended over a period of six months. He was a farmer and lived upon his farm, a few miles distant from' Miss McClure’s residence. She resided with her brother. Her father died some two years before the engagement.
It will be seen that all the material allegations of the petition, as to the circumstances attending the execution of the ante-nuptial contract, are denied by the respondents. Some proof of these circumstances was therefore necessary. The petitioner accordingly called her brother, Samuel M. McClure, as a witness, for the purpose of showing when and where the contract was executed, and what then took place. He was objected to as incompetent, because he was a party to the contract, and one of the other parties, to wit, Robert Neely, was deceased. The testimony of the witness was taken under this objection, with the understanding that its validity should be passed upon when the case came to be considered. We are, therefore, now called upon to determine whether Samuel M. McClure is a competent witness.
The deed in question was executed on May 16,1874, between Robert Neely of the first part, Elizabeth M. McClure of the second part, and Samuel M. McClure of the third part. By its terms, Mr. Neely covenants with Samuel M. McClure, as trustee for Elizabeth M. McClure, that she shall have the absolute control of her property during his life, and at her death neither he nor his representatives will claim any share of it; and further, that in case the marriage shall be solemnized, and she shall survive her intended husband, an annuity of six hundred dollars shall be paid her during her life. On the other hand, Elizabeth M. McClure covenants with Samuel M. McClure, as her trustee, that she will not make any claim of any kind, on Mr. Neely’s estate, save for the annuity, and then and there renounces all such other claims. Thereupon Samuel M. McClure accepts these trusts and covenants, and then covenants with each separately that upon the death of either, he will use and improve the covenants made to him in the best maimer that may be in his power, so as to exonerate the estate of the one who has died from all claims of the survivor, save the annuity. Under the terms of the contract Samuel M. McClure has duties to perform, and assumes important liabilities. He is an active party to the instrument.
Thus the original parties to the contract were Robert Neely, Elizabeth M. McClure and Samuel M. McClure. One of these parties is now dead, and another one of them has instituted these proceedings to avoid the contract. It is resisted by the executors of the deceased party, who have become parties to the proceedings to protect the legatees under the will of said deceased, and the direct question involved in the controversy is, shall this ante-nuptial contract be abrogated. It is made the duty of the trustee to uphold the contract against either party undertaking to defeat it.
[The court, considering Eross’ App., 105 Pa. 265; Earns v. Tanner, 66 Pa. 305; Alcorn v. Cook, 101 Pa. 214 ; Adams v. Bleakley, 117 Pa. 283; Hanna v. Wray, 77 Pa. 30; Hunt’s App., 3 00 Pa. 590; Arthurs v. King, 84 Pa. 525; MoEerren v. Iron Co., 76 Pa. 188 ; Craig v. Brendel, 69 Pa. 153; § 5, act of May 23, 1887, P. L. 158, proceeded:]
Samuel M. McClure was a party to the original transaction, and still remains so. The interest he had at that time still continues. In whatever aspect, therefore, wo view him, whether as a party to the original transaction or as a person adverse in interest, in our opinion we must regard him as an incompetent witness and must exclude his testimony.
If we are justified in thus rejecting the testimony of Samuel M. McClure, the only evidence left for our consideration is the deed itself: the estimated value of the estates of Robert Neely and Elizabeth M. McClure at the time of the execution of the deed, the will of Robert Neely, deceased, and the mental condition of Miss McClure, now Mrs. Neely, for several days preceding her marriage and some of the circumstances attending that event.
The marriage contract was executed on May 16,1874, by Robert Neely, Elizabeth M. McClure and Samuel M. McClure, at the residence of the latter, in the presence of James McClure and Joseph M. McClure. Samuel and Joseph M. McClure were the brothers of Elizabeth M. McClure, and James McClure was her uncle, a brother of her father. She and Samuel M. resided together.
By the terms of this contract Elizabeth M. McClure was to retain the absolute control of the property which she then had, or might thereafter acquire during the life of Robert Neely, and at her death neither he nor his representatives were to claim any share of it; the said Robert Neely, at his death, was to cause or secure the sum of six hundred dollars to be paid annually to her during her natural life, in lieu of dower or right of thirds or any other claim in and to his estate. She accepted the covenants and agreed in consideration of them that she would not make any claim or demand whatsoever on the estate of the said Robert Neely other than for the annuity aforesaid.
The testimony as to the value of the estates of the respective principal parties to the agreement is not very satisfactory; but, acting upon the best information furnished us, we fix the personal estate of Robert Neely at the time of the execution of the deed at fifty thousand dollars, and his real estate at twenty-eight thousand five hundred dollars. At the time of his death he appeared to have left a net personal estate of $68,795, and his real estate was valued at $50,547; and since his death his real estate has yielded an annual income of about $1,950. It is agreed by the parties that Elizabeth M. McClure’s estate, at the time of the execution of the deed, was worth about twelve thousand dollars ($12,000), and was all personalty.
Robert Neely and Elizabeth M. McClure were married at the house of Samuel M. McClure, her brother, oh May 21,1874, by the Rev. Mr. Holifield, her pastor, assisted by the Rev. Mr. McColl, the pastor of Mr. Neely. She and her brother had continued to reside together at the old homestead after the death of her father, up to the time of her marriage.
The father died about 1872; Joseph M. McClure died about 1878 and James M. McClure died about 1882. Robert Neely died on November 1, 1884, having first made his last will and testament, dated October 17, 1884, which was duly probated on November 10th following.
By his will he secured the payment to his wife, Elizabeth M. Neely, of the annuity of six hundred dollars, provided for and agreed to be paid her by the marriage contract of May 16, 187-1, and by a codicil of the same date, he gave and devised to his wife the premises occupied by them at the time of his death, and all the furniture in the same, during so long a term as she should occupy the same. This provision by the codicil appears to have been brought about by the solicitations of his wife, and suggestions made by Mr. Held, who prepared his will.
As we have already said, these parties were married on May 21, 1874. The wedding invitations were sent out to some forty or fifty friends and relatives some two weeks before this. A caterer from West Chester was engaged some time before, to prepare the wedding entertainment.
The parties were cousins, but there seems to have been but little personal intercourse between them, prior to the six months before the marriage. Mr. Neely then began his attentions to Miss McClure, and visited her always once a week, and sometimes oftener.
After his visit on Saturday, May 16th, a decided change was observed in Miss McClure’s conduct. Before that she was bright and cheerful. She then became distressed and was frequently found in tears. The change was so marked as to attract the attention of her dressmaker and housekeeper, and so continued until her marriage. No cause for this was assigned, and none could be given by those about her.
Mr. Neely had a son by his second wife, and held the estate of this wife in trust for the benefit of this son. At his death this estate amounted to about $62,000, and goes entirely to his son. He also left to survive him a grandson, the child of a deceased son, by his first wife. The present Mrs. Neely was his third wife. He was an active, shrewd business man, and looked closely after his affairs. He was skillful in the management of his investments, and successful in the accumulation of his property.
These are the facts of the transaction, as shown by the testimony, independent of that given by Samuel M. McClure. Are they sufficient to warrant the court in setting aside this contract ?
It is a settled rule of law, that the parties to an ante-nuptial contract do not deal at arm’s length, but stand in a confidential relation, requiring the exercise of the greatest good faith. There should be a full disclosure of the circumstances and property of each: Bierer’s App., 92 Pa. 266. In the absence of any proof on the subject, we are entitled to presume that such disclosures were made, but any designed or material concealment ought to avoid the contract at the will of the party who has been injured: Kline v. Kline, 57 Pa. 122; Smith’s App., 115 Pa. 819. If, however, the provision secured for the wife is manifestly unreasonable and disproportionate to the means of the intended husband, it raises a presumption of intended concealment, and throws upon him the burden of disproving that presumption: Bierer’s App.; Smith’s Appeal; Kline v. Kline, supra; Kline’s Est., 64 Pa. 122. We are unable to say whether such disclosures were made by the parties to the contract in question, as we have no proof as to what took place between them on this subject. In the absence of such proof we are entitled to presume that they did. It therefore becomes important to inquire, whether the provision made for the intended wife is manifestly unreasonable arid disproportionate to the means of the intended husband, so as to raise a presumption of the intended concealment, and thus throw on the executors of Ms estate the burden of disproving this presumption.
We have already found as a fact, that the personal estate of Robert Neely, at the time tMs deed was executed, was worth fifty thousand dollars, and Ms real estate was worth, twenty-eight thousand five hundred dollars. The annual rental value of this real estate at his death is shown to be about nineteen hundred and fifty dollars. We have no testimony showing a change in its rental value since 1874, and therefore we may presume it was worth about the same at that time. At the same period of time, the estate of Elizabeth M. Neely was worth about twelve thousand dollars. Her estate, therefore, at the time the deed was executed, was about the one fourth part of his. The deed provided that she should retain absolute control of the estate which she then had, or might thereafter acquire. It was to remain hers absolutely, and be entirely independent of her intended husband. This estate was wholly personal, and was thus freed from a possible, not to say probable, inheritance by her husband. In the absence of such a contract, her share of his then personal estate would not exceed the sum of sixteen thousand seven hundred dollars. She was, therefore, yielding the possibility of obtaining this amount upon his death, to secure the absolute control of twelve thousand dollars of her own estate.
The deed further provides for the payment to her of an annuity of six hundred dollars. As we have already seen, Mr. Neely’s real estate was estimated to be worth twenty-eight thousand five hundred dollars, and the rental value at nineteen hundred and fifty dollars, at the time this deed was executed. Under the most favorable circumstances her yearly income from this branch of his estate could hardly exceed the sum of six hundred dollars.
Comparing then the facts in this case with those developed in Smith’s App., 115 Pa. 319, and considering the views of the court expressed in that case, we cannot say-that the provision secured for the wife in the case in hand is so manifestly unreasonable and disproportionate to the means of the intended husband, as to create a presumption of fraud and concealment. She nowhere alleges that she was actually deceived, and we can hardly infer deception, when we consider the relative values of the estates of the two parties, and the mutual considerations moving them to enter into the contract. It is true, he may not have disclosed to her the extent and value of his estate, but we .cannot infer from the facts of the case that he intentionally concealed from her this information, and designedly practiced a fraud upon her. We are unable to find either actual or constructive fraud in the execution of the contract, and must therefore hold it as binding upon the parties to it.
This being so, the petitioner has no such interest in nor claims against the estate of Robert Neely, as entitles her to obtain the relief prayed for, and we must dismiss her petition: Tiernan v. Biuns, 92 Pa. 248; Dillinger’s App., 35 Pa. 357.
If we should be wrong in rejecting Samuel M. McClure as á witness, it may be proper to consider what effect his testimony would have upon the proceedings. By his testimony it appears that Robert Neely was about sixty years of age and Elizabeth M. McClure about fifty at the time of the marriage. He was then living on his farm, about four miles from the McClure homestead. He had always lived in that neighborhood. The parties are related, and he was intimate with the McClure family all his lifetime. He was frequently at their place when in active business, and he had been assisted pecuniarily by her father, when he was a young man. He was well known in the neighborhood as a successful man, and had the reputation at the time of this transaction of being rich. Elizabeth M. McClure had always resided with her father. She had little, if any, business experience, was of a nervous temperament and had no property, except what had been given her by her father, and which was in the stock of three banks. Part of this was given to her by him in his lifetime, and the rest bequeathed to her by his will. At the time of the marriage Robert Neely was an active, hearty man. He had been a drover, but was then out of active business, except as managing his own investments and the farm on which he lived. He began paying attention to Miss McClure in the fall of 1873. Their engagement was announced to Samuel M. McClure about the month of March, 1874. Some time prior to May 11, 1874, Mr. Neely consulted Mr. Wm. E. Barber, a member of the Chester county bar relative to a marriage contract, to be executed by him and Miss McClure. Mr. Barber prepared such a contract, and sent it to him by mail with a letter dated May 11,T874. The first knowledge Elizabeth M. McClure or Samuel M. McClure had of such a contract was on Saturday, May 16th. On that day Robert Neely came to the home of Elizabeth M. McClure before dinner. In the early part of the afternoon, he produced the marriage contract thus prepared and all complete, except its date, and the initial letter of Samuel M. McClure’s middle name, and asked Miss McClure to unite with him in its execution. This she apparently declined to do, for about three o’clock her brother, Samuel M. McClure, came into the room where these parties were, and found her in tears. He inquired the cause, and Mr. Neely pulled a paper out of his pocket, said that he had a marriage contract which he wanted Lizzie to sign. She declined to do so at that time, and in his presence, saying she thought it mean in Mr. Neely to ask her for a thing of that kind at this late day. He thereupon said to her, “If you don’t sign it there will be no wedding.”
After some conversation Mr. Neely inquired of Mr. McClure what lie thought of it, and he replied that he knew nothing about it, he had never heard of a marriage contract. After some further conversation, Miss McClure consented to sign the paper, saying if there was time, and if it was not for the disgrace to the family calling in the invitations, she would never sign it. Mr. Neely, wishing to keep the execution of the paper within the knowledge of the family, suggested the calling in of James McClure and Joseph M. McClure as witnesses. They were seen by Samuel M. McClure, and informed of what was wanted, and about six o’clock the same evening came to Samuel M. McClure’s residence and witnessed the execution of the paper. When all these parties met together, Eobert Neely requested Samuel M. McClure to read the paper aloud in their presence. He did so, and at the conclusion of the reading the paper was executed. In the course of the afternoon, and before signing, Mr. Neely told Miss McClure that the purport of the agreement was, that he released all claim to her property, and she gave up all right to his property. In the course of the conversation the amount of the annuity was talked of, when she designated it as a very mean sum, as it would hardly pay her board. There appears to have been a good deal of conversation on the subject between the parties during the afternoon. She does not appear to have appealed to either of her brothers, or her uncle, for any advice on the subject, and they did not give her any. Her brother Samuel appears to have gone so far as to say to her that they two were old enough to attend to their own business, and she could do as she pleased about it. He understood at- the time the force and effect of the paper. Mr. Neely informed her, that if the paper was not executed it would upset all his plans. Samuel M. McClure appears to have had very little business experience, and no knowledge as to deeds, contracts, or wills. His business at that time was farming. lie had not been consulted by Mr. Neely as to acting as trustee for his sister, nor did ho know such was the intention until he read the paper that afternoon. He filled in the necessary blanks before it was executed. He was a man of forty-five years of age, while his brother Joseph was several years older. James McClure was over seventy years of age. Joseph M. McClure was then in business, and had been in business for many years. At the time the paper was executed, nothing was said by Mr. Neely as to the amount or character of his estate.
Do these additional facts show that the contract in question was executed in fraud of Elizabeth M. Neely’s rights, or under such duress as should relieve her from its operation ?
It is true, no disclosure of the property of either was made at the time the contract was executed, but the parties had known each other for years; they were cousins, and had lived but a few miles apart. Mr. Neely was about sixty years of age, and well known in the neighborhood as a successful business man, with the reputation of being well off. While it is true that this general information may not be sufficient to prove she had knowledge, approximating correctness, of the value of his property, still we can hardly believe Miss McClure was deceived as to his estate because of his silence. We no w find that her estate was then worth about one fourth of his, and that in this respect the contract was a fair and reasonable one, as she would inherit but one third of his estate. She criticised Mr. Neely’s offer of an annuity of six hundred dollars, after his death, as a mean offer, thereby indicating that she believed him able to do something better if he was so disposed. She was surrounded at the time by relatives, who must have had some knowledge of Mr. Neely’s circumstances, and who would have known, and remonstrated against any deception on his part, in this particular.
While Mr. Neely appears to have been firm in his purpose to have an ante-nuptial contract executed, and while it might have been with propriety suggested at an earlier day, still we are unable to see any fraud practiced upon her. He not only ■made known to her at the time his wishes, but consulted with her brother upon the subject, in her presence. He explained to her the purport of the instrument, and told her that by its terms he released all right to her property, and she gave up all right to his, and in addition to this, he was to secure her the sum of six hundred dollars annually, in the event of his dying first. He called upon her brother and uncle to witness the transaction, and in their presence requested another brother to read over the agreement, so that all might hear it. This was done, and after all had an opportunity of considering it, it was exeexited. We cannot doubt slie understood the import of the paper, for she did not then appeal to any of them for advice. Some three or four hours elapsed from the timo Mr. Noely made known Ms wishes, until the paper was executed. It is manifest that her feelings were hurt, and she was annoyed that such a demand should be made upon her, but we cannot believe she was deceived or that a fraud was practiced upon her.
Neither can we say that Mr. Neely’s importunities and firmness amounted to duress. It is true, he told her that her refusal would disarrange all his business plans, and if she did not sign the paper there would be no wedding. This expression was used about three o’clock in the afternoon, and the contract was not signed until about seven. In the mean time the whole matter had been discussed, not only by the intimate parties to it, hut by her brother and uncle. We can hardly believe that they woxdd stand by and see her reluctantly forced into an unfair marriage contract, rather than have the invitations then out, recalled. Such a thing might have been mortifying, but that is easier to bear than injustice. While we may condemn Ms gallantry, we cannot say slie was deprived of a free choice. She certainly did not yield because of the confidence in him, engendered by the betrothal, nor did he abuse tbe influence which the engagement gave him, for she notified all present that her action was the result of a wish to avoid the disgrace to the family by calling in tbe invitations to tbe wedding. She was given a free choice and she exercised it, after due consideration. The alternative presented for her consideration might have been an unpleasant one, but we cannot say it was legally unreasonable, or unjust. It would not be proper now to allow hor to repudiate her election because she may think that, by reason of present circumstances, she then made a mistake.
The constraint which takes away free agency, and destroys the power of withholding assent to a contract, must he one which is imminent, and without immediate means of prevention; and be such as would operate on the mind of a person of reasonable firmness of purpose. A threat to withhold payment of a debt, or to refuse performance of a contract, or to do an injury which may at once be redressed by legal proceedings, will not amount to duress per minas. The power of mind necessary to give assent to a contract is tlie same in law and equity. A chancellor, it is true, will refuse his aid to enforce specific performance of a contract, for a reason less than that constituting duress per minas, or will set aside a bargain for extortion, or undue influence operating upon a weak mind, or under circumstances of a confidential relation; yet the rule in equity seems to be, that where a party is a free agent and is equal to protecting herself, the court will not interfere: Miller v. Miller, 68 Pa. 498; Brightley’s Equity, § 74.
We are unable to find from these additional facts any reason why a chancellor should interfere in this case, and why he should decline to enforce the contract in question, and, therefore, upon the whole case we are compelled to refuse the prayers of the petitioner.
The court having signed a final decree dismissing the petition at the costs of the estate of Robert Neely, deceased, — the order as to costs being entered by consent of the executors of the estate, the petitioner took this appeal, specifying that the court erred:
1. In holding that Samuel M. McClure, the trustee in the alleged marriage contract, was an incompetent witness, and in excluding his testimony.
2. In holding that there was neither active nor constructive fraud practiced upon Elizabeth M. McClure in obtaining her signature, to the contract, and that it is binding upon her.
3. In holding that the facts established by the testimony of Samuel M. McClure (treating him as a competent witness) do not show that the contract was executed in fraud of Elizabeth M. McClure’s rights, or under such duress as should relieve her from its operation.
4. In refusing the prayer of the petitioner and in dismissing her petition.
Syllabus and headnotes are prepared by the reporter or publisher, not the court, and are not part of the opinion.
