Hutchison v. Sheppard

This is a suit by Kate Anthony Sheppard and others to recover possession of 120 acres of land. The defendants assert title to the property and, if their claim of title should be rejected, seek to recover the value of their improvements to the land. The chancellor held that Mrs. Sheppard has a life estate which entitles her to possession, but the defendants were awarded $1,000 for their improvements. The defendants have appealed on the issue of title, and the plaintiffs have cross appealed from the $1,000 allowance for improvements.

The principal issues turn upon the construction of three…