FREEMAN v. DAVIS

Messrs. Earle Greene and Grier, Park Nicholson, for appellants, submit: That the will of Bazzel Davis devised the lands to William Davis upon a condition precedent, and the condition not having been performed the respondents, heirs at law of William Davis, have no claim whatever to the lands in question: Minor's Institutes, vol. II, pp. 261, 265, 266; 15 S.C. 442; 2 Strob. Eq. 212; 40 Cyc. 1649; 19 S.C. 170; 63 S.C. 490; 3 Rich. Eq. 316; 2 Rich. Eq. 42; 28 S.C. 325; 3 S.C. 212; Rich. Chanc. 321; Jarman on Wills, vol. II, p. 2, p. 10, p. 13, 5th Ed.; 4 Kent Com. 144-145; Corpus Juris, vol. XII, 407; Tiffany on Real Estate, vol. I, p. 65; 63 S.C. 490; 63 S.C. 252; Rothwaller v. Miles, 4 Eq. 215; 40 Cyc. 1717, 1718; 6 Am. and Eng., 2d Ed. 504. The intent of the testator is the guiding principle: 10 S.C. 366. The words of this will certainly create a technical condition precedent: 7th Amer. Dec. 264; 28 S.C. 326. Illustrations of conditions precedent: Tiffany on Real Property, vol. I, No. 65; 12 Corpus Juris 407n, 18; 95 Ill. 206; 42 S.C. 372; 28 S.C. 325; 63 S.C. 490-1; 6 Rich. Eq. 217; 40 Cyc. 1691-2. Conditions precedent must be strictly performed: 40 Cyc. 1717-1718; 6 A. C. (2d Ed. 1504); 28 S.C. 326. Conditions precedent must be strictly construed: 19 S.C. 181-2; 7 Amer. Dec. 264. Messrs. Tillman Mays, for respondents, submit: The will created a charge on the land: 74 S.C. 486; 46 S.C. 169-180; 68 S.C. 336; 79 A.S.R. 765 (note); 55 Wis. 637; 13 N.W. 873; 61 Minn. 326; 63 N.W. 736; Gardner on Wills, p. 581; 111 Ill. 382; 78 Me. 504; 7 A. 383; 23 R.I. 180; 49 A. 699; 106 Mich. 695; 64 N.W. 730; 49 N.J. Eq. 344; 25 A. 963; 96 N.C. 358; 2 S.E. 528; 60 Am. Rep. 420; 119 Pa. 645; 13 A. 483; 40 Cyc., p. 1697. If condition, what kind? 3 Peters 374; 102 A.S.R. 469 (note); 79 Am. St. Rep. 750; 85 Md. 79; 60 Am. St. Rep. 308; 36 A. 354; 35 L.R.A. 692; Gardner on Wills, paragraphs 491 and 494; 44 Am. Dec. 744 (note); 78 S.C. 118; 87 S.C. 65; 60 A.S.R. 308; 6 Rich. Eq. 219; 7 Am. Dec. 264; 1 Ves. 147; 63 S.C. 474. Under the facts here it is a condition subsequent: 38 Me. 18; 40 Cyc. 1719.