Hardy v. Jaeckle

These are petitions under G. L. c. 60, § 65, to foreclose the rights of redemption of the owners of and all other persons interested in two parcels of land taken by the town of Nantucket (town) for the nonpayment of taxes which had been assessed to John Doe, a fictitious person. The tax titles acquired by the town pursuant to these takings were then assigned to Frank L. Hardy, the plaintiff.

After hearing, a judge of the Land Court, by a single decision, ruled that the John Doe assessments and the ensuing tax takings were invalid and that the plaintiff acquired no title by the assignments. The…