Pierce v. Pierce

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Patterson,

Joseph E. Pierce, also known as Joseph O. Pearce, appellee, filed this Bill in Equity against Mamie Pierce, also known as Mabel M. Martin, appellant, for partition of real estate situate in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, held in their names as husband and wife. This appeal is from the decree of the court below holding that no valid common law marriage had been proved and directing partition.

Where a relationship, meretricious at its inception, is shown to have continued for eight years, a formal marriage ceremony is then performed — void, however, for…