Bryant v. . Bryant

On 28 January, 1880, Tom Godwin married Mary Ann Gilmore, who, by a former husband, was the mother of the appellants, Julia Gilmore and Willie Ann Gilmore. In 1882 he purchased the land in controversy and died without lawful issue in 1909. Mary Ann Gilmore died in 1923. The appellants are in possession of the land and claim title thereto under Rule 8 of the Canons of Descent: “When any person dies leaving none who can claim as heir to him, his widow shall be deemed his heir and as such shall inherit his estate.” C. S., 1654. The specific question, then, is this: Did the title acquired by Tom…