{ "id": 11273228, "name": "LEE v. BAIRD", "name_abbreviation": "Lee v. Baird", "decision_date": "1904-03-22", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "410", "last_page": "414", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "134 N.C. 410" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "132 N. C., 755", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8661353 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/nc/132/0755-01" ] }, { "cite": "47 N. C., 436", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8682798 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/47/0436-01" ] }, { "cite": "132 N. C., 755", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8661353 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/132/0755-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 439, "char_count": 7896, "ocr_confidence": 0.45, "pagerank": { "raw": 4.03580807328026e-08, "percentile": 0.239149656987724 }, "sha256": "3a049c38fa738575574daa14401a7f241e975d798934ae64c8d16fdcfe96ffec", "simhash": "1:95ebdd14868a9d27", "word_count": 1371 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T20:04:54.590902+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "LEE v. BAIRD." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "OoNNOB, J.\nWe have given to tbe petition to rebear tbis case a careful consideration. We bave not \u201cglanced over\u201d but carefully read tbe well-prepared and well-considered briefs of tbe learned counsel for tbe petitioners and tbe authorities cited. As we stated in our former opinion, 132 N. C., 755, tbe construction of tbe will presents serious and difficult questions, to wbicb we then gave our best consideration and investigation. To tbe suggestion that \u201cthere is not tbe least ambiguity upon tbe face of Mrs. Baird\u2019s will nor any ambiguity arising out of extrinsic facts wbicb call for explanation by parol evidence,\u201d it would seem a sufficient answer that counsel of great learning and equal candor bave at every stage of tbis litigation contested every point, and advanced arguments to sustain their contentions, wbicb were entitled to and wbicb bave received most respectful consideration. We are met at the very threshold with tbe contention that in disposing of tbe Forest Hill property tbe testatrix used tbe word \u201cchildren\u201d when she intended to include \u201cgrandchildren\u201d; that she not only meant grandchildren, but that she intended by tbe word \u201cchildren\u201d to include the children of one daughter and exclude her other grandchildren. It is further contended that when she used tbe word \u201cheirs\u201d in tbe fifth item, she meant \u201cchildren.\u201d\nTbe learned counsel for tbe plaintiffs in their brief upon tbe first bearing say: \u201cBut we think that this case presents an instance where tbe Court, to reconcile an apparent repug-nancy, will give tbe words \u2018all my children\u2019 a sense beyond their natural import, and construing items 2, 4, 5 and 7 together will bold that \u2018grandchildren\u2019 are included.\u201d With tbe greatest possible deference to tbe learned counsel, we think that it would be difficult to find a will of tbe same length in wbicb there are more ambiguities and difficulties. Counsel, in vigorous but entirely respectful language, urged \u25a0that in examining the parol evidence sent to ns to enable ns \u201cto place ourselves in the place of the testatrix at the time \u2022of making her will,\u201d we are \u201cindulging in forbidden fruit.\u201d The record shows that when the deposition of John R. Baird was opened, the plaintiffs filed certain objections \u25a0thereto for that the certificate was irregular. The objection was overruled by the Clerk, and his ruling upon appeal was affirmed by the Judge. It is sfated that no objections were made before the commissioner to the competency of \u25a0the testimony, but the Judge at the trial permitted the plaintiffs to file objections, which was objected to by the defendants as not being made in apt time. The record \u2022does not show any ruling of his Honor upon these objections, but the case on appeal has this statement: \u201cIt having been agreed by counsel for the plaintiffs and defendants that the Judge should find the facts, his Honor announced that he found the facts as stated in the foregoing deposition \u2022of John R. Baird, and adopted it as his findings of fact in so far as the construction of the will was concerned, and tlo further.\u201d There was no suggestion that we were to dis-Tegard the deposition. We considered it for the same purpose and to the same extent as did his Honor. It did not \u25a0occur to us that the estimate of values or other statements were conclusive upon the parties upon taking the account before the referee, but that for the purpose of construing \u25a0the will the facts therein stated were taken as true.\nIn the appellant\u2019s brief on the first hearing we found \u201ca brief statement of the case\u201d in accordance with Rule 34, which was followed by these words: \u201cAll the foregoing facts are found by the Judge who tried this case in the Superior Court by consent of all parties as set out in the record.\u201d The plaintiff\u2019s brief made no issue with the defendant\u2019s in regard to the facts, but expressly stated on the first page that \u201cthe Court found the facts to be as stated in' the deposition, * * * and adopted it as his findings-of fact in so far as the construction of the ivill was concerned and no further(Italics in the brief). The brief states that the plaintiffs objected to the introduction of the deposition. There was no exception to the action of the Court in admitting it. The only further reference to the deposition is (page 5): \u201cWe think that the evidence offered by the plaintiffs to aid the Court in construing the will was incompetent and unnecessary, yet, when duly considered,, it confirms the view we have taken.\u201d We notice at length these facts because of the language contained in the petition to rehear and the brief filed regarding the action of this Court in considering \u201cextrinsic facts.\u201d We can decide cases only upon the record sent us, with the aid of briefs and arguments of learned counsel. If it was intended to insist that Mrs. Baird\u2019s will was free from difficulty, and that \u201cthere was not the slightest ambiguity in the-description of those who are to take in item 7 of the will,\u201d it was mot so suggested in the brief or argument before us-upon the first hearing.\nAfter a careful re-examination of the grounds upon, which our opinion at the last term was based, we see no reason for changing the conclusion to which we then came. We fully recognize the principle of law contended for and relied on by the plaintiffs, that where a testator directs his-property, whether real or personal, to be equally divided among his heirs, the division must be per capita and not per stirpes, unless there be something in the will showing a contrary intention. Eor the reasons given in the former opinion, we think there was evidence in the will, as well as the extrinsic facts, of the intention to take the case out of the general rule, and this upon the principle stated by Lord Langsdale, cited in Bivens v. Phifer, 47 N. C., 436. The plaintiffs urge that the appeal was premature.. In tbe light of the record before us in respect to the way by which the case was tried below, we cannot concur with the plaintiffs in this contention. If it was desired to have a reference before the will wTas construed, it should have been so insisted upon before his Honor, and upon the refusal to order a reference an exception noted or probably an appeal taken. This appeal being by the defendants, that question is not presented for review, but the plaintiffs could have brought it before this Court by exception and appeal upon the refusal of his Honor to order a reference before construing the will. To prevent possible misconception, we desire to say that we concur with the plaintiff\u2019s contention that his Honor\u2019s findings of fact are to be confined strictly to the construction of 'the will, and that the referee is in no sense bound thereby in taking the account of the testator\u2019s estate as ordered by the judgment below. We do not deem it necessary to repeat the views which we expressed at the last term or the authorities upon which they were based. That we do not do so should not be construed as a failure on our part to carefully examine and consider the arguments and briefs of the learned counsel for the petitioners.\nLet the petition be dismissed.", "type": "majority", "author": "OoNNOB, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Merrimon & Merrimon and Shepherd & Shepherd, for tbe petitioners.", "F. A. Sondley and T. A. Cobb, in opposition." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "LEE v. BAIRD.\n(Filed March 22, 1904).\n1. WILLS \u2014 Appeal\u2014Findings of Oourt.\nWhere parties to an action agree that the court may find the facts and the court adopts the findings of fact in a certain deposition, the supreme court will consider the evidence incorporated in the deposition.\n2. APPEAL \u2014 References\u2014'Wills.\nThe refusal of the trial court to order a reference before construing a will is appealable.\n3. REFERENCES' \u2014 Wills\u2014Findings of Oourt.\nA referee is not bound by the findings of fact of a trial court when such findings were by agreement of parties only for the purpose of construing the will.\nPetitioN to rehear this case, reported in 132 N. C., 755.\nMerrimon & Merrimon and Shepherd & Shepherd, for tbe petitioners.\nF. A. Sondley and T. A. Cobb, in opposition." }, "file_name": "0410-01", "first_page_order": 448, "last_page_order": 452 }