Roberts v. Sutton

"They gave defendant their own name, and by their conduct, language, and treatment represented to him that he was their own son. He lived with them upon this understanding until some time past the age of majority. He had a right to rest and act upon the belief that he was the legal heir. So long as his reputed father and mother chose to let him repose in this belief, others had no right to interfere. Equity is clearly with the defendant, and, if relief cannot be granted, it must be because the strict rule of law interferes, and permits the accomplishment of an act of the greatest injustice.…