Butt v. Ellett, 86 U.S. 544 (1873)

U.S. Supreme Court

Butt v. Ellett, 86 U.S. 19 Wall. 544 544 (1873) Butt v. Ellett

86 U.S. (19 Wall.) 544

APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA

Syllabus

Although an instrument which purports to mortgage a crop the seed of which has not yet been sown cannot at the time operate as a mortgage of the crop, yet when the seed of the crop intended to be mortgaged has been sown and the crop grows, a lien attaches.

When property which the owner has leased is sold at sheriff's sale, on execution against the owner, the sheriff's deed conveys the reversion, and the rent follows as an incident.

Accordingly, where a lease of a cotton plantation, made in January, 1867, in order to secure the rent, mortgaged the crop of that year, held that although the seed of that crop had not yet been sown, a purchaser of the land at sheriff's sale could charge as trustee of it for him, a person to whom the tenant had transferred the crop, after it had grown and was gathered, such purchaser having taken with notice of the landlord's mortgage.

Sillers, the owner of a plantation in Mississippi, leased

Page 86 U. S. 545

the same, on the 15th of January, 1867, to Graham, for one year, from January 1st, of that year, Graham giving his own note, payable to Sillers, for $3,500, for the rent. And to secure payment of the note embodying in the lease by which the plantation was let to him a mortgage of all the crops raised on the plantation in the year 1867. The mortgage was immediately recorded in due form. The note was never paid.

On the 3d of June, 1867, one Ellett, having recovered a judgment against Sillers, sold the plantation at a sheriff's sale under the judgment, and bought it; and Sillers transferred to him the note of Graham for $3,500, due November 1st, 1867, the rent to be paid.

Notwithstanding this, Graham, in November of 1867, transferred the whole crop to certain correspondents of his, Butt & Co., who were heavily in advance for him on then existing transactions. They sold the crop and applied the proceeds in account to the payment of Graham's debt to them.

Hereupon Ellett filed a bill in the court below against Butt & Co., to charge them, as trustees for him, with the proceeds of the crop.

The evidence showed:

On the one hand, that planting never begins in Mississippi earlier than March; and,

On the other,

That on the 6th of February, 1867, the defendants had seen the lease with the mortgage provision in it, but apparently that they regarded the provision as void. It also showed that on learning that Graham had transferred the crop of 1867 to Butt & Co., Ellett immediately wrote to them, informing them that the lease with the mortgage in it had been at once duly recorded; that besides, they had express notice of its existence, and that he would hold them accountable as trustees for the proceeds of the crop if they sold it.

The court below decreed in favor of the complainant, and the defendant brought the case here.

Page 86 U. S. 547

MR. JUSTICE SWAYNE delivered the opinion of the Court.

The mortgage clause in the contract of lease of the 15th of January, 1867, executed by Sillers and Graham, could not operate as a mortgage, because the crops to which it relates were not then in existence. When the crops grew, the lien attached and bound them effectually from that time.

It is admitted that the cotton in question was one of those crops.

Ellett, having bought the premises, became clothed with all the rights of Sillers touching the rent stipulated to be paid by Graham. The sheriff's deed conveyed the reversion, and the rent followed it as an incident. The lease passed by assignment to the grantee, and all its provisions in favor of the lessor enured to the benefit of the assignee. The appellants had full notice of the rights of Sillers. They read the lease a few days after its execution. Ellett also notified them of his rights and claim. The cotton went impressed with his lien into their hands. When they sold it, they took the proceeds in trust for his benefit, and became liable to him for the amount.

Decree affirmed.