| Park v. Glen |
1778
|
Deathbed, Bonds, Liferent |
Elizabeth Park owned some bonds from the sale of her late brother's lands. She later conveyed these bonds to her cousin, Robert Park. Robert Park had a sister, Margaret, but disliked Margaret's husband. Shortly before his death, Robert Park conveyed the aforementioned bonds to his cousin, William Glen. Because Robert Park died less than a month after this disposition, Margaret Park challenged it upon the head of deathbed. Glen argued before Lord Braxfield that the subjects in question constituted a personal right and could not be challenged on the head of deathbed. The pursuer, Margaret Park, argued that as their price was made a burden upon land, they could not be alienated upon deathbed. Lord Braxfield found that one of the bonds in question, granted by Adam Walker for the lands of Wooden, constituted a heritable right. He refused further representation from Glen, who then petitioned the Court for review. |
| Thomas Wright v. John Ure |
1767
|
Deathbed, Succession |
James Ure of Shirgarton, W.S., executed a settlement of his estate in favor of his nephew James. The settlement also named a series of substitutes, including any heirs-male born of John Wright of Easter Glinns and Christian Ure, Shirgarton’s sister. After Shirgarton died, his brother John challenged the settlement on the ground that it was executed on deathbed. With the settlement’s validity in question, John and young James came to an agreement that gave John a life rent and promoted Mary Ure, young James’s sister, in the line of succession. Mary eventually succeeded to her brother’s fee. After many years, however, Thomas Wright, the son of John Wright and Christian Ure, sought to void the titles held by John and Mary. In response, John renewed his action to void the alleged deathbed deed. Case documents discuss issues relating to the proof of certain facts, including Shirgarton’s health when the settlement was executed and alleged efforts to influence witnesses. |
