A bequest by a testator to his wife, of a "girl named Hannah, and my horses, c. and my plantation, with all the lands adjoining to it, during her life-time," passes but a life estate in the negro girl.
The assent of an executor to a life estate in a slave, extends no further than such life-interest, and the reversion remains in the executor, which he may assert after the death of the life owner.
Where a demand was read aloud from a written paper, any person who heard it may prove the demand, without the production of the paper from which it was read.
RUFFIN, Chief Justice
— We think the judgment must be affirmed. The gift of the slave and land, and all the other articles, is in the same sentence. There is but a single disposing word, "bequeath," in the beginning of the clause, which extends to each thing given; and there is but one expression directing the quantity of estate, "during her life-time" which is in the end of it, and necesarily [necessarily] controls the interest in each subject of the gift. The only estate given, being for the life of the widow, the assent of the executors could go no further, and consequently the reversion remained in them. The Anonymous case in 2 Hay. Rep. 161, is an authority upon both points, if one were needed on either. We suppose the last objection was not seriously taken.
PER CURIAM. Judgment affirmed.