GREENE CO. TN
COURT RECORDS
 

Greene Co. TN Chancery Court Enrolling dockets 1828-1845, TN Archives, some years missing, incl. index, indexes are at front of most volumes
      1828-1832 - no Duncan (FHL film 944,363 item 1)
      1832-1837 - no Duncan (FHL film 944,363 item 2)
      1837-1839 (FHL film 944,364 item 1)
      Pg.130: Joseph Duncan & wife vs. Smith Hunt & Thos. Hunt, heirs of Uriah Hunt, Chancery Court, 2nd Div. of E.TN; Joseph Duncan of wife Rhoda formerly Rhoda Hunt of Blount Co. TN but formerly of Washington Co. TN; that some years ago Uriah Hunt father of Rhoda died leaving a paper intended to be his will, the paper not having been tested as law requires, it was not good, several distributees by bond among themselves agreed to distribute the estate as their ancestor wanted in the defective will; Smith Hunt and Thomas Hunt, two sons, administered the estate; Orators were to be allowed a tract of land or enough money to buy it, and the heirs agreed that orators should have $600 out of the first moneys collected; Smith and Thomas Hunt about 1824 returned an inventory of personal estate, sale brought in money, more than 5 years ago; orators were not paid their share but were told to buy land in Blount Co. and Hunts would pay for it, but then refused to lend him aid in the payment; that 2 or 3 years ago Thomas and Smith Hunt filed a bill against orator "Samuel" Duncan in Chancery Court of Greenville regarding the land their ancestor purchased from Joseph Duncan, but there was no equity in the land; Duncans paid the costs, Hunts still have not paid orators their share; The heirs and distributees are: Thomas Hunt, Smith Hunt, Uriah Hunt, Benjamin Hunt, Peter Hunt and Delila his wife formerly Delila Hunt, Richard Martin and Acksey his wife formerly Acksey Hunt, Payne Squibb and Dyce his wife formerly Dyce Hunt, Jesse Hunt, and James Duncan and Sarah his wife formerly Sarah Hunt, and orator and oratrix, the oratrix is one of the daughters of Uriah Hunt; Smith Hunt resides in Washington Co. and Thomas Hunt in Greene Co.; filed 25 Oct. 1831.
            Answer: Thomas and Smith Hunt said the heirs agreed to offer complainant Rhody Duncan as much of a tract of land formerly owned by their decd. brother William Hunt to the value of $600; Rhoda was willing but Joseph Duncan objected; Joseph Duncan purchased about 160 acres of land in Blount Co. from Andrew Duncan for $600, $400 to be paid in cash and $200 in trade; that Smith and Thomas paid $400 part to Andrew and part to Thomas, and then Joseph satisfied the $200 in trade; that title was made jointly to Joseph and Rhoda Duncan for life and then to their children, but Joseph wanted it to himself absolutely; that $400 each would have been a fair share to each heir, but the heirs allowed Joseph $600 due to his straightened circumstances; Joseph would not take a share of the inventory sale in stock, etc., but wanted cash; that about 1812 the complt. Joseph sold Uriah Hunt land in Washington Co. for $140 but Hunt did not get possession as Jane Duncan, mother of complt. Joseph, had a life estate in the tract; the part sold Uriah was an undivided share; that after Uriah died, Joseph sold it to Jacob Roblen? for $200? ($300?) which made the other heirs of Uriah file a bill in Chancery against Joseph and said Roblen; after filing, the compt. agreed to pay $140 and costs of $50; Uriah's widow is still living; the Hunts were willing to give Duncan his full share of the estate all along but he refused.
            Copy of bond between heirs (Jane (X) Hunt, widow of Uriah Hunt).
            Copy of Deed, Joseph Duncan of Warren Co. KY to Uriah Hunt, 14 Oct. 1812.
            Receipts by Joseph Duncan.
Nov. term 1834, hearing; 15 Sept. 1837, there is due to the complts. the aggregate sum of $899.65; request by Hunts for appeal; transferred to Superior Court of Eastern Division of TN.
      1839-1840 - no index (FHL film 944,364 item 2)
      Vol.7, 1843-1845 - no Duncan (FHL film 944,365)
 

Greene Co. TN Chancery Court Records; Minutes 1825-1907, TN Archives, some years missing, incl. index, indexes are at front of most volumes
      1825-1836 (FHL film 944,366)
            Originals, 1825-1831 - no index
            Originals, 1825-1836 - no index
      1839-1848 - not looked at (FHL film 944,367)
      1844-1867 - not looked at (FHL film 944,368)
      vol.4-5 1867-1876 - not looked at (FHL film 944,369)
 

Greene Co. TN Circuit Court, Civil Minutes; incl. individual index in most volumes
      1809-1820, 1829-1839 (FHL film 944,371)
      1809-1820 - index at back (FHL film 944,371 item 1)
            Pg.138: Wed., 8 Sept. 1813, Joseph Dunkin vs. Christopher Lightner, in case; dismissed by pltf, deft. to recover costs
      1829-1836 - index at back, no Duncan (FHL film 944,371 item 2)
      1836-1839 - no index (FHL film 944,371 item 3)
      1836-1845 - no Duncan plaintiff (FHL film 944,372)
      1840-43 & 1849-52 - not looked at (FHL film 944,373)
 

Greene Co. TN Circuit Court, Criminal minutes
      1815-1834 (FHL film 1,012,431 item 1)
            Pg.318: Dodd vs. Dodd, divorce. Filed 11 Sept. 1818; Sarah Dodd by Michael Bright, Sarah and John Dodd were married 28 years ago in Frederick Co. VA, mar. Feb. 1787, he under age 21, apprenticed as blacksmith, no money, she had four children by him, lived together 5 years. She now about 50 years of age, he abandoned her; he moved to Greene Co. TN, she stayed in Frederick Co. VA. (MAD: copied because of the Dodd connection to Joseph Duncan early)
      1818-1822 - not paged, no index (FHL film 1,012,431 item 2)
      1820-1828 (FHL film 1,012,431 item 3)
            Pg.114: 5 Sept. 1821, Benjamin Dunkin vs. Joseph Holt and John Balch, and Elijah Russell, security; certiari appeal; Deft. Elijah Russell had appealed, dismissed his appeal.
            Pg.275: 1 Sept. 1823, Joseph Dunkin to Nathan Hoggatt, deed of conveyance dated 7 Nov. 1822 for 30 acres proved by wit.
      1835-1862 - not looked at (FHL film 1,012,432)
      1846-1855 - not looked at (FHL film 1,012,433)
 

"Tennessee Reports : Reports of cases argued and determined in the highest courts of law and equity of the State of Tennessee" by William Frierson Cooper, Vol.III (spine title: Tennessee Reports - Cooper's Edition - 4-6 - Haywood Vol.3, 4 & 5); "Reports of Cases argued and adjudged in the Court of Errors and Appeals of the State of Tennessee from the year 1816 to 1817" by John Haywood, Esq., Vol.III; Vol.4, pg.1 to 14 (California State Law Library, Sacramento, 1/2004; see Washington Co. TN)
      JOHN RUSSELL v. JAMES STINSON, SR., JAMES STINSON, JR., JOHN STINSON, SAMUEL STINSON, WILLIAM STINSON, and SAMUEL VANCE; Supreme Court of Tennessee, Rogersville; 4 Tenn. 1; 1 [3] Hayw. 1; November, 1816, Decided.
      The facts to be collected from the bill, answer, depositions, and other evidence, are these:--
      The State of North Carolina granted a tract of land, of which the lands in question are part, to Robert Carr, 1st November, 1786. He conveyed to Goodwin, 4th of May, 1789. He conveyed to Beard part of these lands, to the amount of 250 acres; to Vance 249 1/4 acres, 5th April, 1795. Vance sold to Stinson, the elder, in 1797, or in the beginning of 1798, and gave him a bond for title as the defendants state, but as the witness, Beard, states, and as Vance also states, by deed executed and witnessed by Carmick. Hynes also says, that Stinson, afterwards, on the 8th of August, 1798, gave up the deed to himself; and Vance, by his directions, made another deed of these lands to the other Stinsons who are defendants to this bill, which was registered the 25th of December, 1798. The witnesses state that Stinson, at the time of this conveyance to his children, was indebted more than he was worth, and also when he executed this deed, he said now he had done what he had some time wished, for he could not hold the lands himself long, but he hoped he had got it so fixed that his children could enjoy them after him. Records showed divers recoveries against him in the year 1798, and before and after. The evidence shows he was in insolvent circumstances. In 1795 he became surety for Isaac Collit for the costs of a suit prosecuted by Collit against Erwin in ejectment; in which Collit was nonsuited in April, 1796. A sci. fa. issued against him in October, 1798. Judgment was given against him in March term, 1799, by confession. A fi. fa. issued in September, 1799, which was returned, levied on three cows and one yearling; sold for eight dollars. An alias fi. fa. reciting it, issued in March term, 1800, and was returned to September term, 1800, levied on a tract of land of James Stinson, and to be sold on the 28th of October. A venditioni exponas issued September, 1800, returnable 1801, and was returned levied on a house and tract of land adjoining Greeneville, and not sold for the want of bidders. An alias venditioni exponas issued March, 1801, returned satisfied and money ready to be returned into the office. Stinson left the house in question and Russell took possession; the young Stinsons sued Russell in ejectment and recovered; and Russell filed this bill 12th of September, 1809. Stinson continued in possession after the date of the deed to his children and from the time he purchased in 1798 to the time of the sale under the execution; he sold two acres, part of this land, to Holt, 1st February, 1799; and to Duncan and Duffield one and a half acres 31st August, 1798, and offered to sell 100 acres, part of the residue, and he and the person he offered to sell to, agreed on the price, but when it was discovered that he had conveyed to his children, Holt, the intended purchaser, declined proceeding. (MAD: Abner Duncan, Greene Co. TN)
      On the day of sale the bidding was opened and the land was cried by the deputy, the principal sheriff being present; but on Stinson's insisting on the sheriff to go with him to get the money of Balch, the sale was suspended, and the sheriff went with him, but not procuring the money, the sale was continued, and was ended after dark. The bidding commenced early in the afternoon. Balch was prevailed upon by Stinson to bid, and asked the sheriff before he began to bid, if he would receive Stinson's receipt for all the money above what would satisfy the execution, and was answered yes, but after he had bid as far as two hundred and nine dollars, the sheriff told Balch that he must retract his promise as to the surplus, and that Balch must pay all the money, if it should be even to the amount of two thousand dollars. Whereupon Balch declined, but would have bid any sum needful to accomplish the purchase if he could have been permitted to pay the surplus by Stinson's receipt. Not long before the conveyance to the children, Stinson advised with Perry, and wanted to know whether he could not, as he was so much embarrassed with debts, convey to his children, so as to secure the property to them. Being answered no, for that it would be considered fraudulent, he replied, he would try it anyhow. The children were all under age when the conveyance was made to them; the eldest not being more than sixteen years of age. In July, 1798, Stinson conveyed a tract of land called Young's place, about three miles from the lands in question, to William Wilson, for money advanced to pay off executions levied on the same at the instance of Deaderick; and also at the instance of King and Dixon. That deed is yet in the possession of Wilson, and is endorsed thus, "This deed to be in the office till called for by me, W. Wilson."
      Upon these facts, divers main questions have been made at the bar, and divers subordinate and previous ones have arisen.
       First, had Stinson any legal estate in the premises after the deed made to him by Vance, and before and at the time of the deed made to his children? The answer is furnished by the act of 1715, ch. 38, Sec. 5. The decisions in North Carolina uniformly, and those in this State latterly, have been that no legal estate does pass until registration actually takes place. The construction upon this section, with respect to all deeds, is the same as upon the statute 27th Henry VIII. ch. 16, directing the registration of deeds of bargain and sale. The estate is to pass by deed executed, and proved, and registered. The latter requisite is equally essential as any of the former. The estate by both acts does not pass till it be complied with. The reason of directing registration is not only for the benefit of creditors and subsequent purchasers, but to supply the place of livery of seisin, the object of which is notoriety, that the lord might know on whom to call for his services; and the plaintiff in actions for the freehold, then in use, to know against whom, as the tenant, such actions were to be commenced. The act of 1784, ch. 10, Sec. 7, directing bills of sales for slaves, and the registration thereof, is solely for the benefit of creditors and subsequent purchasers. The title vests immediately, and becomes subsequently void if not registered. But the term void here means at the instance of creditors and subsequent purchasers. This act proceeds upon the same principles as that in 1777, which directs grants to issue and to be recorded in twelve months, or to be void. This is for the benefit of the State, is good as to all others, and can only be avoided by the State taking the necessary legal steps for the avoidance.
      The second question is, if no legal estate passed to James Stinson, then had he any estate liable to the satisfaction of creditors? for if he had not, then it was no injury to them to have caused it to be conveyed to his children.
      Answer: he had by the payment of the purchase money and the purchase of the lands an use or trust. 2 Bl. Com. 338. The bargain and payment of the purchase money first vests the use, and the statute of uses, the possession. But no right to the possession passes till registration. Before registration and after the payment of the purchase money, the use or trust arises, and vests in the purchaser. It is then immaterial whether Stinson had a deed unregistered, or only a bond for title, for in either case he had the use. It is needless therefore to decide whether the execution of the deed to him ought to have been proved by Carmick, and the other subscribing witnesses, or by any of them; for the bond is admitted in the answer. Then, is this use or trust which he had, liable to execution? A trust estate is liable to execution by statute of 29th Charles II. ch. 3, Sec. 10; vide 2 Saund. 11. "It shall be lawful for any sheriff or other officer, to whom any writ or precept is directed at the suit of any person, if for and upon any judgment, statute, or recognizance, to do, make, and deliver execution unto the party in that behalf suing, of all such lands, tenements, rectories, tithes, rents, and hereditaments, as any other person or persons are in any manner of wise seized or possessed in trust for him against whom execution is so sued, like as the sheriff or other officer might, or ought to have done, if the said party against whom execution was sued had been seized of such lands, &c., of such estate, as they are seized of in trust, for him at the time of the said execution sued, which land, &c., by virtue and force of such execution, shall accordingly be held and enjoyed free, and discharged from all incumbrances of such person or persons as shall be seized or possessed in trust for the person against whom such execution shall be sued, and if any cestui que trust shall die, leaving a trust in fee simple to descend to his heir, then, and in every such case, such trust shall be deemed and taken, and is hereby declared to be assets by descent, and the heir shall be liable to and chargeable with the obligation of his ancestor, for and by reason of such assets, as fully and amply as he might or ought to have been, if the estate in law had descended to him in possession, in like manner as the trust descended."
      If this section of the act of Charles II. be in force in this State, a trust estate is liable to execution. And if Stinson had the use or trust continuing in him on the day when the first fi. fa. issued against him, in September, 1799, that trust was liable. By this act the trust is bound, not by the judgment as other real estates are by the statute of Westminster the 2d, ch. 18, which introduced the elegit, but only by the issuing of the fi. fa. and from the date of the teste thereof. Had Stinson this trust on the day when the fi. fa. issued against him in September, 1799? He caused the lands in question to be conveyed to his children on the 8th of August, 1798. This conveyance, however, was made to defraud creditors; it was made when he was indebted, and insolvent. The sci. fa. issued October, 1798, and judgment was entered September, 1799. It was made to his children without valuable consideration paid by them; he continued in possession, and sold parts of the same land to Holt and Duncan and Duffield, and it was made for the express purpose of defeating creditors. These circumstances are proof sufficient of the fraud intended; the fraud in this instance would be accomplished, if the conveyance to the children were deemed valid. It does not appear that he had any other property upon which the execution could have been levied. Being fraudulent it was void as to creditors, both by the common law, by the statute of 13th Elizabeth, ch. 5, and by our act of 1715, ch. 33, Sec. 8. It is an alienation of lands to which in equity he is entitled, as much as he is entitled at law, by a conveyance made as required by the same act, Sec. 5. Indeed, the common law would produce the same effect as these acts do, had they never been made. They are not additional to, but declarative of the common law, which extends to all the cases mentioned in these acts, and to all other cases not mentioned in them, which if not invalidated would produce the loss of a just debt to a creditor, by fraudulent alienation of property liable to the satisfaction of his debt. This deed to the children being void as to creditors, is void as to the creditor in this fi. fa., and of course, as between him and Stinson, the property continued in Stinson on the day when the fi. fa. issued.
      The question then comes forward, is such a trust liable to fi. fa. by our law, as it was by the law of England liable to execution in consequence of the 29th Charles II. ch. 3, Sec. 10? That section, as well as the act of 3d and 4th William and Mary, ch. 14, reenacted by North Carolina, 1798, ch. 39, Sec. 2, though both of them passed after the 4th of James I., are in force here as the court conceives; though not within the general rule for determining what statutes in England are in force in this country. The act 5th George II. ch. 7, is in these words, Sec. 4: "And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that from and after the said 29th day of September, 1732, the houses, lands, negroes, and other hereditaments and real estates, situate or being within any of the said plantations belonging to any person indebted, shall be liable to, and chargeable with all just debts, duties, and demands of what nature or kind soever, owing by any such person to his Majesty, or any of his subjects, and shall and may be assets, for the satisfaction thereof, in like manner as real estates are by the law of England liable to the satisfaction of debts, due by bond or other specialty, and shall be subject to the like remedies, proceedings, and process in any court of law or equity, in any of the said plantations respectively, for seizing, extending, selling, or disposing of any such houses, lands, negroes, and other hereditaments and real estates towards the satisfaction of such debts, duties, and demands, and in like manner as personal estates in any of the said plantations respectively are seized, extended, sold, or disposed of for the satisfaction of debts."
      This act speaks, first, of the liability of lands in America, and, secondly, of the judicial process to be used against them, for the effectuation of that liability. Lands, &c., and real estates are made liable, &c., as real estates are in England; how is that? A trust estate in England was then a real estate, descendible, devisable, alienable, and extendible for the satisfaction of debts. Lands devised were then liable in England in the hands of the devisee by the 3d and 4th of William and Mary, ch. 14, though by the common law none but lands descended were. Immediately upon the passage of this act of George II., all statutes for the subjection of real estates to the satisfaction of debts, as well as the common law upon the subject, which these statutes had amended or added to, were in force in the colonies. Is it to be believed that lands devised away from the heir were not liable to be sold for debts, from 1732 to 1789, a space of fifty-seven years, till the act of the 3d and 4th of William and Mary, ch. 14, was reenacted by the Assembly of North Carolina, 1789, ch. 36, Sec. 2? In all this time there is no instance within our knowledge of a debt lost by such devise. Had such been the law, it would have been altered and provided for, long before the year 1789. In consequence of this act of George II., lands and tenements were inserted in the fi. fa., which by the common law only issued against goods and chattels. These words were added for the purpose of reaching the real estate made liable by the act of George, including trusts of freehold estates made liable by the laws of England then existing, amongst which was this section of 29th Charles II. ch. 3, Sec. 10. Such was the form and effect of the fi. fa. as altered by the act of George II. when the act of 1777, ch. 2, Sec. 29, was enacted. It continued the fi. fa. against lands as it had been established by the act of George II., not at all impairing its form or extent, but rather enlarging it; for executions which before issued only against goods and chattels, were then directed to issue against lands and tenements also; which perhaps was meant for executions issued by justices of the peace; which in 1786, ch. 14, Sec. 10, are understood to extend to real estate by virtue of the words "lands and tenements," which, by the act of 1777, are directed to be inserted in them, overlooks the clause in the same act which directs execution from justices of the peace to issue against the goods and chattels, or body of the debtor. What is real estate, one of the terms used in the act of George II.? All the lands, tenements, and trusts which a man hath; for by these words, real estate, lands subject to trusts for the benefit of the devisor will pass to his devisee. The act of George II. is also enforced by the act 1778, ch. 5, and with it all the statutes that are referred to by it as forming the law of England upon this subject when it passed; of course this section of 29th of Charles II. ch. 3, Sec. 10, was enforced at the same time. These acts are all enforced, furthermore, by the Constitution of this State, and by the act of 1789, ch. 3, Sec. 8. The 10th article of the Constitution, Sec. 2, continues in force the same statutes and acts of Assembly as the State received from North Carolina. The result is, that the act of Charles II. is enforced by the latter provisions, and that trust estates are liable here, as spoken of in the case cited at the bar, 8 E. 486. From all these considerations the conclusion follows, that although it be true, in general, that equitable estates are not liable to fi. fa. because not known to the common law, yet an equitable estate, being also a trust dependent on a legal estate of freehold, is subject to this statutory provision.
      And this is the reason why the Legislature of this State and of North Carolina have not made any law relative to this subject, as they would most certainly have done long ago had it been understood to be law, that a debtor might defeat all his creditors by purchasing and paying for land, and thereby raising a trust, which no creditor could affect, or by getting a deed and keeping it from registration. A debtor would then have nothing to do but turn all his estate into a trust or deed unregistered, and bid defiance to all his creditors.
      Objections are made by Stinson's counsel, which have been considered, and deserve to be answered. The first is, that this land was sold by an alias venditioni exponas, without any seizure upon the second fi. fa., the same not being produced. Answer: we must consider the mode of transacting business in this country formerly, and conform to it, s in case of a verdict from North Carolina without any judgment, or a scroll for a seal. The practice has been to write alias on the second fi. fa. and to put that into the hands of the sheriff as a new writ. In such case, if the seizure be made on the second, the clerk can only state in his record the return to it, and that is done here. It is recited in the first venditioni exponas. We do not say that a fi. fa. is not necessary to be produced; but we believe that what is shown ought to be received on this occasion as equivalent to a fi. fa. And here let us notice a difference between the sale of chattels and of lands; the former must be actually seized and shown to the bidder on the day of sale. Not so of the latter; for they are incapable of seizure and removal to the place of sale. A remainder or reversion may be sold, as well as a present possession, and these cannot be seized; therefore the sheriff need not enter upon them, nor make any actual seizure; he may return the lands which he has selected for advertisement and sale, and may sell them afterwards. It is true a seizure of personalty or a selection of realty, to the value of the debt, is a discharge of the debtor, and an exemption of his other property, unless the property seized be destroyed, without default of the sheriff.
      But what is the proof here? That another tract was selected? Not so. A tract of land generally stated in the return, but not described to be a different tract from this. The sale of this tract of land is consistent with the return, and probably with the fact. Young's place was attached for Deaderick's debt; and King and Dixon's debt in July, 1798, or before. It is true a venditioni exponas gives no authority to the sheriff to sell; his power is derived from the fi. fa., and having once seized or selected, and becoming thereby the debtor, he must sell and raise the money, whether the venditioni exponas issue or not. When it issues, it is only to quicken the sheriff's proceeding, not to communicate any new authority. These remarks, however, need not be made as this case is circumstanced.
      Another objection is, that this sale was made after sunset. Answer: that was at the instance of the defendant in the execution, and therefore cannot be argued by him as a fraud detrimental to his rights. The act of Assembly upon this subject was made for the benefit of defendants, and its provisions may be dispensed with to suit their convenience, if requested by them; and besides, not within the act of 1807, which was passed long after the sale.
      Another objection is, that Russell has tried his cause at law, and ought to be bound by the judgment there given as he submitted to a trial there. Answer: in the case of an ejectment he may try his cause again at law, and why not also in equity, as well as law, where his case is originally equitable? Where the judgment is final at law, perhaps it would be a bar in equity if pleaded in bar; unless circumstances attended the trial at law, which required the aid of equity.
      Another objection is, that Stinson was not a debtor till the judgment against him in March, 1799; until that time it could not be known that he would ever be liable. Answer: if he became subsequently indebted, and contemplated the same at the time of the conveyance to his children, he is within the law against fraudulent conveyances. Moreover, we believe a co-obligor who is only a surety, is as much prohibited by these laws from making a fraudulent conveyance to defeat creditors, as if he were the principal obligor; for the creditor, perhaps, would not have trusted the principal had it not been for the supposed sufficiency of the surety.
      Another objection is that this court will not execute a contract concerning the realty, unless it be reasonable and just, and here the price is greatly inadequate to the value. Answer: that is true as to contracts between individuals, for the sale and purchase of lands, for there it is in the discretion of the court to interfere or not. Here is not such a contract but an execution sale, which is good both in law and equity. This court ought to enforce and aid the efficacy of a sale made by the law, for otherwise it would lose its effect. No one would purchase such an interest if the law could not aid him, and if at the same time equity was at liberty to withdraw its assistance. Inadequacy is the general consequence of execution sales. The loss is imputable to none but the defendant in the fi. fa.
      Objection: if the estate in the children be void, the court cannot transfer the void estate to the plaintiff. Answer: a void estate in general need only be declared void by the rules of a court of equity, and need not be ordered to be transferred. Equity, however, is not bound down by the forms of the court, adopted for convenience, to adhere to a course which will not answer the purposes of substantial justice, but may, in all needful cases, adapt their directions to the matter before them. The court may direct all parties before them to join in conveyances or release; who, if they should not join, might hang a cloud over the title of him for whom they decree.
      It is again objected, that the sheriff agreed to take the surplus in Stinson's receipt, and afterwards recalled his promise, and, by that means, stopped Balch from bidding. Answer: he acted prudently in recalling it, for he was commanded by his writ to pay it into court. The surplus belonged either to the children or creditors, and he would have been liable to them for any mispayment or misapplication of it.
      It is objected further, that Sec. 10, of 1715, ch. 38, is restrictive of Sec. 5, and proves therefore that bona fide deeds need not be registered as between the parties, and shows, that deeds in the 5th section are only registered for the benefit of creditors and subsequent purchasers. Answer: Sec.Sec. 8 and 10 are copied from the 13th Elizabeth, in which is the same exception. It was intended here to answer the same purpose as in that statute, and has no connection with Sec. 5.
      Decree the legal estate in the lands in question in this bill, that is to say, that all the lands conveyed to the defendants, the sons of James Stinson, by Samuel Vance, except such parts thereof as were sold to Holt or Duncan and Duffield before the sale made by the sheriff to the complainant, be divested out of all persons, defendants to this bill; and that the complainant from and after this decree shall have and hold the said lands to him, his heirs and assigns forever. That the injunction obtained by the complainant shall be and hereby is made perpetual, and that the defendants, the said James Stinson, senior, and his sons, shall pay the costs of this suit.
 

"Reports of cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court of Tennessee for the Eastern Division, at the September term 1880 and for the Middle Division at the December term 1880" by Benjamin J. Lea, Vol.V; Tennessee Reports, Vol.73, pgs.458 to 461 (California State Law Library, Sacramento, 2/2004)
      PETER STAUB et al. v. THOS. L. WILLIAMS et al; Supreme Court of Tennessee, Knoxville; 73 Tenn. 458; 5 Lea 458; September, 1880, Decided.
      From Greene.
      Appeal from the Chancery Court at Greeneville. H. C. SMITH, Ch.
      TURNEY, J., delivered the opinion of the court.
      A number of bills are filed by persons claiming to be creditors of Thos. L. Williams, and asking for attachments to be levied on his interests in the estate of his mother, Mrs. C. D. Williams, deceased. On the 26th of November, 1862, defendant Williams executed his note to Sylvester Armentrout for $200, due at six weeks. That note was transferred to Mary O. Willis on the 8th of May, 1865.
      It is proven that at the time of the execution of the note it was agreed that it should be paid in rents due and to be due from Armentrout to the mother of Williams, and the note was given as a memorandum by which the agent of Mrs. Williams would be enabled to make the settlement. The indebtedness of Armentrout was never settled in any way, and is in excess of the amount of the note.
      The note was transferred after maturity. The equities existing against it in the hands of the payee exist against the transferee, and the exceptions should have been allowed by the chancellor.
      The proof conclusively shows the Kennedy note to have been paid before its maturity. The exception must be sustained.
      The Harden note, of October 3, 1862, for three hundred dollars, must be charged to Williams at the value of Confederate money at maturity. The note of two hundred and fifty-five dollars, of January 28, 1863, was not discharged by Williams in keeping Harden out of active service in the Confederate army, and will be charged at the value of Confederate money.
      The note to John Gorrel, and signed by Duncan as agent of Williams, will be allowed, the proof showing authority in Duncan to execute it. It will be scaled to the value of current bank notes at the date of its maturity.
      The six hundred dollar note to M. W. Borden was properly disallowed by the chancellor, and there is no appeal by Borden. The eleven hundred dollar note will be allowed, after being credited by $975 owing by him to Williams, the balance being scaled to the value of Confederate money.
      The note to Thomas Weems for one hundred and fifty dollars is barred by the statute of limitations, which is pleaded.
      The facts charged in the bill as constituting fraud are insufficient, and the bill distinctly charges that a former suit for the recovery has been abandoned. The bill is in no sense in aid of that suit.
      Upon the question of the liability to attachment of the property seized, it is necessary to examine the will and codicils thereto of Mrs. C. D. Williams.
      After providing by will for an equal division of the property amongst her children, Mrs. Williams, in the first codicil, directs: "In place of devising those parts of my estate which are devised in said will to my sons Joseph A., Wm. D. and Thos. L. Williams, directly to them, I do hereby devise the same to Jas. W. Deaderick and Wm. H. Sneed, as trustees, with liberty to my said trustees to convey the same to each of said sons respectively, or in the event of the death of either, to the heirs at law of such deceased son, or in such other mode as my said trustees may deem proper. Said trustees are to exercise a sound discretion in controlling the use and enjoyment of said property, and also in regard to the conveyance of the same, in such manner as to prevent the same from being sold by execution or squandered. The intent of this codicil being that neither of my sons is to enjoy said property except with the assent and under the directions of my said trustees."
      In the second codicil she says: "In executing the powers conferred by my first codicil, I wish my executors and trustees, in the division of my estate, to be guided and controlled by the leading objects and motives contained in the original will, the most prominent of which are, to make a just and equal distribution of my property among my children, or those representing them, but to do this in such a manner as to prevent the shares ultimately designed for them from being subjected to the satisfaction of unjust judgments which I am under no legal or moral obligation to pay or provide for. For the attainment of these ends, it was and is my intention to vest in my said executors and trustees the same unlimited power and discretion which I could exercise myself if living, and not to be subject to the control of my children or of their creditors, real or imaginary."
      It is plain from these clauses that it was the intention of the testatrix that her sons should have, at most, only the use of the fruits of the property devised, and should in no event dispose of or burden the body.
      The decree of the chancellor ordering a sale is reversed and the attachment discharged. The decree in other respects will be modified, reversed or affirmed, as to the items of indebtedness, as indicated in this opinion; and, in each instance, the costs of this court and of the court below will be paid by the unsuccessful party.
      DEADERICK, C. J., did not engage in the hearing of this cause, being incompetent.
 

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