Messersmith v. Mayor of Riverdale

Paul L. Messersmith and Isabel E. Messersmith, his wife (the plaintiffs below) and their predecessor in title, having enclosed and maintained an adjoining lot or park owned by the Mayor and Common Council of Riverdale (the defendant below) for more than a third of a century as if it were their own, sought a decree “quieting title” and declaring that they had an “indefeasible fee simple title” to the lot “free and clear of any claim” of the town of Riverdale. When the chancellor denied relief and dismissed their bill of complaint, the plaintiffs appealed.

The lot in dispute is a small…