Kendrick v. Dellinger, 117 N.C. 491 (1895)

Sept. 1895 · Supreme Court of North Carolina

117 N.C. 491

JOHN W. KENDRICK, et al v. PHILLIP DELLINGER.

Action to Recover Land — Peed, Pate and Pelivery of— Presxamption — Triad—Exceptions—Questions for Jury —Exceptions.

1. A deed is presumed to have been delivered at the time it bears date, unless the contrary is satisfactorily shown.

2. Whenever the rules of evidence give to testimony the artificial weight of a presumption, the question whether it is rebutted by parol evidence introduced for the purpose, must go to the jury unless the truth of such rebutting testimony is admitted ; hence,

3. If a party, having the right to insist upon the presumption that a deed was delivered at the time of its date, controverts the truth of the rebutting testimony, it is for the jury to decide whether the presumption has been overcome by such testimony.

4. A party is not precluded from the privilege of contradicting his own witness by testimony inconsistent with that of the latter, but cannot impeach him by attacking his credibility; hence,

5. The fact that a witness testified that a deed was delivered at a time subsequent to its date did not preclude the party offering such witness from relying on the presumption to the contrary.

6. An exception to an instruction which does not point out the specific error complained of, is too general to be considered.

7. Where, in an action to recover land, plaintiff introduced evidence tending to show grants from the State and mesne conveyances connecting with them, and also possession for seven years under color of title, it was proper to submit to the jury the question of his right to recover.

8. Where a party did not ask for specific instructions, he cannot object to, those given on the ground that they are too general.

Civil actioN, for the recovery of land, tried before Tim-berlahe, J., and a jur) at Fall Term, 1895, of GastoN Superior Court. There was a verdict for the plaintiff and from the judgment thereon the defendants appealed.

Messrs. Jones ds Tillett, for plaintiffs.

Mr. D. W. Robinson, for defendant (appellant).

Avert, J.:

The assignments of error are so restricted as to preclude us from the consideration of most of the points made by defendant’s counsel in his clear and well-considered argument. The defendant does assign as error however, the refusal of the court to instruct the jury that in any aspect of the testimony the plaintiff has failed to show even prima facie evidence of title in himself, when the action was brought, and that they should therefore respond to the issue in the negative.

A deed is presumed to have been delivered at the time it bears date unless the contrary is satisfactorily shown. Lyerly v. Wheeler, 12 Ired., 290; Meadows v. Cozart, 76 N. C., 450. The summons was issued on the 28th of February, 1894. The deed under which the plaintiff claims bears d ate of February 11,1894, and nothing further appearing is presumed to have been delivered at its date. The deed takes effect-from 'the time of its actual delivery, however, if it is shown by parol testimony to the satisfaction of the jury to have been subsecpuent to the date. The party having the right to insist upon the presumption may admit the truth of the rebutting testimony, but if he controvert its truth it is the province of the jury to pass upon the question of its sufficiency to overcome the presumption. Vaughan v. Parker, 112 N. C., 96. It is settled law that whenever the rules of evidence give to testimony the artificial weight of a presumption, the question whether it is rebutted by parol evidence introduced for the purpose, must go to the jury, unless the .truth of such evidence be admitted. A party who offers a witness, wdiether the adversary party or anothei-, is not precluded from the privilege of contradicting him by testimony inconsistent with his but only waives the right to impeach him by attacking his credibility. Helms v. Green, 105 N. C., 251; Coates v. Wilkes, 92 N. C., 376. The plaintiff was at liberty notwithstanding the fact that his witness Adderholt testified that the deed was not delivered till September, 1894, to-insist that the date was rather to be relied upon as fixing the time of delivery than the treacherous memory of a witness. Sucb an argument would bave been legitimate and the jury would bave been tbe judges of its weight. It may be that they discredited the testimony of Adderholt on account of his demeanor or the chances of inaccuracy. We must infer that this contradictory testimony was weighed and passed upon by the jury because the Judge told them that unless they were satisfied by a preponderance of evidence that the plaintiff had title to the land in dispute, when the action was brought, they must respond -in the negative to the issue. The broad-side exception to the instruction given, without pointing out any specific error, is too general to be considered. McKinnon v. Morrison, 104 N. C., 354. There was no error in refusing to tell the jury that the plaintiff had not offered sufficient evidence to bo submitted to the jury, when he had introduced testimony which tended to show grants from the State and mesne conveyances connecting with them, as well as possession for seven years under color of title to land, the title to which was out of the State.

In the absence of a more specific request it is not such •error as the defendant could avail himself of to instruct the jury in the general terms employed by the court. But we deem it proper to exclude the conclusion that we approve of leaving the jury, to search out the truth with so little assistance as was afforded them by the abstract propositions which are embodied- in the statement of the •case as given in lieu of the instruction asked. It may be that the whole of the charge was not sent up. But if it was, it would have been of benefit to the jury, and it was but just and proper, though so far as we can see not the legal duty of the court, to have told them, in plainer terms, how the plaintiff claimed to have shown title. It no where appears plainly that they were instructed specifically as to the possession and the rebutting testimony. But the defendant was in fault in not praying, (in writing if be chose) that they be told how to determine whether the plaintiff had_ acquired title before bringing the action. The defendant has not by due diligence shown his right to complain of error, if it was committed, and the judgment must be affirmed.

Affirmed.