Clarke v. Massachusetts Title Insurance

At some time before March 12, 1897, the plaintiff, described in the writ as “of Swampscott” in this Commonwealth, “visited one or more of the heirs of” Bernard A. “McCormick in New York,” and “offered the McCormick heirs $100” for a conveyance of a parcel of land in Lynn, of which neither they nor their ancestor ever had possession. The offer was accepted, and on March 12, 1897, the heirs conveyed the premises to the plaintiff. The plaintiff considered this parcel of land to be worth $4,000 at that time. Fifteen days later (on April 7, 1897), on thé plaintiff’s suggestion, one Scaplen, a…