Bringhurst v. O'Donnell

The Chancellor.

First. As to that branch of the case which concerns the ancient lights, there can be no doubt concerning what the answer ought to be at the present stage of the litigation. In Clawson v. Primrose, 4 Del. Ch. 643, Chancellor Bates, in an opinion which reveals those qualities of studious learning, lucidity of reason and clearness of expression for which he is so justly famed, held that the doctrine of ancient lights as he understood it to prevail at common law prior to our separation from England was transplanted to these shores, and this being so was, by virtue of the provisions…