ÿWPCF4 …# VUNa %¯ 0 µUGD¼ 4  n­# 0 KÐ 0D 0J_ 0T© 0^ý 0h[à 0rÃw5 0|E 0†Á 0G 1u×U ,L 0dxU,ÜU >U*FB)pDC™ AMÜU*) BS D3pÜ£ 0@ U 6L)‚@«ÕëÀ Ñ"1é$6'v~P+vÓÎ, AO¡2Æð2 0D¶3 D/ú3 B)4˜HP LaserJet 4Si/4SiMX PS 600dpiPSCRIPTÀÌÀääÀÀÌ0†(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX(ß Ñ$¡¡ÑTR[  AØ'ÿ Legal[  AØ'ÿ Legal AØ'ÿ Legal AØ'ÿ LegalTÑÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€XgØXXXÔÑ7€UXXdìXXdì7ÑÑ  ÑÓ  Ó8§ÖhZŠ,Century-WP RegularnnG x3|x?«<þ6X9`("Courier 10cpiXôxþ6X@É“8QX@(û(3E;$¤¤Ý ƒ Ñ!ÝÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€X!XXXÔÑ7€!XXdìdì7ÑÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà ` àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó2 ÿÿ0Indent1Ô2ÔÔ3  Ô2" ÿÿ0Indent2à0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2, ÿÿ0Indent3à0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô26 ÿÿ0Indent4à0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2@ ÿÿ0Indent5à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô5Ó€?2J ÿÿ0Indent6à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2T ÿÿ0Indent7à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2^ ÿÿ0Indent8à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô ÿÿ?AGMSYaioIndent0I.A.1.a.(1)(a)i)a)< Œ 9p`(ModernP ÿÿ8Mac DefaultMac DefaultÓ ` °šXÓ< Œ 9p`(Monaco< Œ 9p`(&Times New Roman< Œ 9p`(Times% Line 7 d%%%%7Border 1dd€-&Cþÿ << Gÿÿ< Œ 9p`(Arial d))))'ÿÿdxd ÒÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€#ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€ÔÑ#€d#ÑÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ€(ÔÔ€(ÔÓ  Óò òÔ YYY ÔFILEDÔ€(XÔÌÌFebruaryÏ7,Ï1996ÌÌCecilÏW.ÏCrowsonÌAppellateÏCourtÏClerkÔ  Ôó ó ƒÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€#ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€ÔÑ#€d#ÑÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝNeither€the€briefs€nor€the€record€disclose€whether€Henry€GregoryÏdid€in€à àfact€adversely€possess€George€Gregory's€tracts,€but€sinceÏneither€party€has€à àraised€this€as€an€issue,€we€will€assume€thatÏHenry€held€legal€title€to€à àGeorge's€tracts€at€Henry's€death.Ì("ÿÿ$££Ò  ÒÒ  Ò< Œ 9p`(Courier New Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€#ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€ÔÑ#€d#ÑÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€ÔThe€complaint€does€not€specifically€state€that€the€plaintiffÏseeks€relief€à àbased€upon€an€18.5€acre€tract,€however,€both€sidesÏintroduced€proof€at€à àtrial€by€which€they€each€sought€relief€basedÏupon€an€18.5€acre€tract€of€à àland.€€Accordingly,€under€Tenn.R.Civ.P.Ï15.02,€the€complaint€will€be€à àconsidered€to€be€implicitly€amendedÏto€seek€relief€based€upon€an€18.5€acre€à àtract.Ì 6Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€#ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€ÔÑ#€d#ÑÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€ÔThe€chancellor€only€ruled€on€15.5€(rather€than€18.5)€acres€of€theÏproperty.€€à àThis€was€error€since€the€parties€seek€relief€based€upon€anÏ18.5€acre€tract.Ô€.Ô€Ì ËÝ ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€#ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€ÔÑ#€d#ÑÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€ÔEach€of€the€children€actually€owned€2.583€acres€of€land.Ô€.ÔÌ Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€#ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€ÔÑ#€d#ÑÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€ÔGeorge€purchased€the€three€acres€sometime€after€he€and€hisÏsiblings€à àpartitioned€the€original€15.5€acres.€€Ô€.ÔÌ Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€#ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€ÔÑ#€d#ÑÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€ÔMr.€Gregory€stated,€"It€was€just€giving€her€permission€to€stay€onÏthe€à àland.€€It€[the€land]€wasn't€ours€to€give.€"ÌÔ€.Ô 'Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€#ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€ÔÑ#€d#ÑÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€ÔThe€deed€in€the€record€which€is€apparently€the€one€which€appearsÏon€the€à àbooks€in€the€register's€office€is€typed€on€white€legal€sizeÏpaper.Ô€.ÔÌ ,Ý ƒ!ÝÑ#€d#ÑÔ€ÔÔ€#ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€ÔÑ#€d#ÑÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ $Ýà àòòÚ  ÚÚ  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€ÔTenn.R.Evid.€804(b)(3)€provides:ÌÌà8 àà8 àRule€804(b).€€Hearsay€exceptions.€€The€followingÏare€not€excluded€by€the€hearsay€rule€if€theÏdeclarant€is€unavailable€as€a€witness:Ì€à8 àà8 àÌà àà à*€*€*Ìà8 àà8 à(b)(3).€€Statement€Against€Interest.€€A€statementÏwhich€was€at€the€time€of€its€making€so€farÏcontrary€to€the€declarant's€pecuniary€orÏproprietary€interest,€or€so€far€tended€to€subjectÏthe€declarant€to€civil€or€criminal€liability€or€toÏrender€invalid€a€claim€by€the€declarant€againstÏanother,€that€a€reasonable€person€in€theÏdeclarant's€position€would€not€have€made€theÏstatement€unless€believing€it€to€be€true.€ÌÔ€.ÔPtPtHHÚ(ÿáÿâùFG(üHHÚ(d'@Styl{WP}01•ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃà Ãà Ãà Ãà Ãà ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÐ ÐÐHHÐÐ  ÐÐ2ÐÐÿÿ¸æ$ÿÐÐHHÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐ  ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÑÑÑGenevaÑÑ ÑÑ € ÑÑ<Px–ÈÑÒÒÒ443!#4ÒÒ$ *$ÒÒ$*$ÒÒ ÿKK ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÓ.,ÓÓÓÓ6ÓÓ ÓßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÑMonacoÑÑ ÑÒ  BA: T Monaco ÒÒ  BA: T Monaco Ò€-‚ƒCþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó„„'÷ÿ dxdüÿP PdÝ ƒ!ÝÔ . ÔÔ€ÔÓ&€""X„d&ÓÑ#€""Xd#ÑÔ€#ÔÑ\R AØ'\ÑÒ  ÒÒ „ ÒÔ€ÔÑ#€$$Xd#ÑÑ#€$$Xd#ÑÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÑ  ÑÑ  Ñà@ àò òIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEÌà@ àWESTERN€SECTION€AT€NASHVILLEÌà àà àÏ_______________________________________________ÌÌRAYMOND€GREGORY,ó óÌÌà àPlaintiff„Appellant,ÌÌà àà àà àà àà àà àà àLincoln€Chancery€No.€9645ÌVs.à àà àà àà àà àà àà àC.A.€No.€01A019508CH00357ÌÌò òLAURA€SUE€GREGORY,€ó óÌÌà àDefendant„Appellee.Ì_________________________________________________________________________ÌÌà@ àFROM€THE€LINCOLN€COUNTY€CHANCERY€COURTÌÌà@ àTHE€HONORABLE€TYRUS€H.€COBB,€CHANCELLORÌÌÌÌÌÌà@ àJack€B.€Henry€of€PulaskiÌà@ àFor€AppellantÌÌà@ àJames€S.€Kidd€and€James€B.€Cox€of€FayettevilleÌà@ àFor€AppelleeÌÌÌÌÌÌà@ àò òòòAFFIRMED€IN€PART€ASÏMODIFIED,€REVERSEDÌà@ àIN€PART€AND€REMANDEDó óóóÌÌà@ àOpinion€filed:ÌÙ€€ÙßL€'+&;+'h|²òÎ` ˆ, `€€LßÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà àà àÌà àà àà àà àà àà àà àà àò òW.ÏFRANK€CRAWFORD,Ìà àà àà àà àà àà àà àà àPRESIDING€JUDGE,€W.S.ÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌDAVID€R.€FARMER,€JUDGEÌÌWILLIAM€H.€WILLIAMS,ÏSENIOR€JUDGEÌÑ ° ÑÑ ° Ñó óÌÓÓÑ7€!XXdìXXdì7ÑÑ  Ñà àThis€appeal€involves€a€suit€toÏdetermine€ownership€of€an€18.5Ïacre€tract€of€land€located€inÏLincoln€County,€Tennessee.€€TheÏfacts€are€as€follows.Ìà à€The€original€tract€of€land€consisted€of€15.5€acres€which€wasÏowned€by€Samuel€and€Jane€Gregory,€the€grandparents€of€plaintiff,€whoÏacquired€the€property€by€deed€dated€July€30,€1889.€€Following€theÍdeaths€of€Jane€and€Samuel€Gregory€in€1902€and€1906,€respectively,€theÏland€was€inherited€by€their€€children,€Samuel€Jr.,€George,€E.T.,€HenryÏ(the€father€of€plaintiff),€Mary€Ellen,€and€Mary€Lizzie.€€The€childrenÏinherited€the€land€as€tenants€in€common,€each€€child€possessing€a€one„sixth€undivided€interest€in€the€land.Ìà àAt€some€point€after€they€inherited€the€land,€the€children€ofÏSamuel€and€Jane€orally€agreed€that€they€would€treat€the€land€as€sixÏindividual€tracts.€€Sometime€thereafter€each€child€built€a€house,Ïmaintained€a€garden,€and€raised€livestock€on€his€or€her€individual€tract.€ÏSome€of€the€children€fenced€off€their€individual€tracts.€€In€1928,€theÏchildren€had€the€land€surveyed€and€drawn€into€six€individual€tracts€onÏthe€surveyor's€map,€but€no€boundary€lines€were€established€nor€wereÏany€deeds€drawn€as€a€result€of€this€survey.€€€€Ìà à€€€€On€May€20,€1929,€Mary€Lizzie€Gregory€sold€her€one„sixthÏinterest€to€her€brother€Henry,€thereby€giving€Henry€a€two„sixthsÏinterest€in€the€land.€€In€1943,€the€plaintiff,€Raymond€Gregory,€the€son€ofÏHenry€Gregory€and€grandson€of€Samuel€and€Jane€Gregory,€moved€off€theÏparcel€of€his€father,€to€Chicago€where€he€currently€resides.€€In€1952ÏSamuel€Gregory,€Jr.,€died€leaving€issue.€€In€1953€Mary€Lizzie€(thenÏSmith)€died€leaving€issue.€€In€1954€Mary€Ellen€died€leaving€issue.€€InÍ1955€George€Gregory€died€without€issue,€and€at€some€point€prior€to€hisÏdeath,€George€had€purchased€an€additional€3€acres€of€land€adjacent€toÏthe€original€15.5€acres.€€In€1959€E.T.€Gregory€died€leaving€a€survivingÏspouse,€Estella€Gregory.€€The€will€of€E.T.€Gregory,€which€was€admittedÏto€probate€on€February€18,€1965,€devised€his€interest€in€the€"tract€ofÏland€of€about€two€and€one„half€acres€.€.€.€received€.€.€.€in€the€division€ofÏthe€lands€of€.€.€.€[his]€father,€Sam€Gregory,"€to€his€wife€Estella.€€InÏAugust€of€1961,€Henry€Gregory€died€intestate€leaving€twelve€children,ÏSam€Gregory,€Odell€Gregory,€William€S.T.€Gregory,€Otho€L.€Gregory,ÏLethel€S.€Gregory,€Raymond€Gregory€(plaintiff„appellant),€ErnestÏGregory,€Mary€G.€Fearn,€Joe€G.€Campbell,€Sernetta€G.€Lane,€Corine€G.ÏMarch,€and€Terea€Gregory.€€On€August€19,€1961,€eleven€of€the€children€ofÏHenry€Gregory€executed€a€deed€to€the€twelfth,€Terea€Gregory,€whichÏgranted€Terea€"5.5€acres,€more€or€less,"€such€parcel€of€land€"being€theÏsame€real€estate€conveyed€unto€George€Gregory€by€various€deeds€andÏowned€by€him€at€the€time€of€his€death,€October€30,€1955,€and€thereafterÏhis€brother,€Henry€Gregory,€held€possession€of€said€property€adverselyÏunder€fence€paying€all€real€estate€taxes,€until€his€death,€August€15,Ï1961,€and€upon€his€death€his€rights€in€said€real€estate€descended€to€usÏthe€undersigned€as€his€children€and€only€heirs€at€law€and€our€sister,€theÍgrantee€herein€named."× ƒ, ××  ×€€The€warranty€deed€from€the€children€of€HenryÏGregory€to€Terea€Gregory€was€recorded€in€the€Lincoln€County€Register'sÏOffice€on€August€22,€1961.€€Sometime€in€1961,€Odell€Gregory€tookÏpossession€of€the€entire€18.5€acre€tract€and€began€to€farm€and€grazeÏthe€land.€€Odell€did€not€share€the€profits€he€received€from€theseÏactivities€with€any€of€the€heirs€of€Samuel€and€Jane€Gregory.Ìà à€€€On€March€9,€1965,€approximately€six€years€after€the€death€ofÏE.T.€Gregory,€E.T.'s€wife,€Estella€(then€Buchanan),€sold€to€Odell€Gregory,Ï"the€same€real€estate€that€was€devised€unto€the€undersigned€as€EstellaÏGregory€by€the€last€will€and€testament€of€the€said€E.T.€Gregory€.€.€.€."€ÏThe€warranty€deed€from€Estella€Buchanan€to€Odell€Gregory€was€recordedÏin€the€Lincoln€County€Register's€Office€on€March€22,€1965.Ìà àOn€September€10,€1965,€Terea€Gregory€(then€McNeil)€executed€aÏwarranty€deed€to€her€brother€Odell€Gregory€and€defendant€Laura€SueÏGregory,€whereby€she€sold€Odell€and€defendant€"approximately€5€acres,Ïmore€or€less,€and€being€the€same€real€estate€conveyed€unto€theÏundersigned€as€Terea€M.€Gregory€by€deed€of€Sam€Gregory,€et€al,€datedÍAugust€19,€1961,€and€recorded€in€the€Register's€Office€of€LincolnÏCounty,€Tennessee€.€.€.€."€€The€deed€from€Terea€Gregory€McNeil€to€OdellÏGregory€was€recorded€in€the€Lincoln€County€Register's€Office€onÏSeptember€20,€1965.Ô€Ô€Ìà àIn€1986€Odell€Gregory€died€leaving€a€surviving€spouse,€defendantÏLaura€Sue€Gregory,€and€issue.€€The€will€of€Odell€Gregory€left€his€entireÏinterest€in€all€of€his€property,€whether€real€or€personal,€to€his€wife,Ïdefendant€Laura€Sue€Gregory.€€Following€the€death€of€her€husband€Odell,Ïdefendant€continued€to€rent€and/or€farm€the€18.5€acre€tract.€€She€didÏnot€share€the€profits€she€received€from€these€activities€with€any€of€theÏheirs€of€Samuel€and€Jane€Gregory.€€Ìà àOn€September€11,€1992,€plaintiff€Raymond€Gregory€filed€this€suitÏin€Ô€Ôthe€Chancery€Court€for€Lincoln€County€seeking€to€quiet€title€to€theÏ18.5€acre€tract€of€land.Ô€.Ô× ƒ/ ××  ×€Ô€ÔRaymond€Gregory€filed€the€suit€individuallyÏand€as€a€member€of€a€class€consisting€of€the€known€and€unknown€heirsÏof€Samuel€and€Jane€Gregory.Ô€.Ô€Ô€Ô€The€plaintiff€sought€certification€of€theÍsuit€as€a€class€action,€but€the€trial€court€refused€to€entertain€the€suitÏas€a€class€action.€€The€complaint€alleges€that€the€plaintiff€and€theÏother€heirs€of€Samuel€and€Jane€Gregory,€hold€title€to€the€18.5€acres€asÏtenants€in€common.€€The€complaint€also€asserts€that€the€deed€from€theÏchildren€of€Henry€Gregory€to€Terea€Gregory€was€fraudulent,€and€thatÏtherefore,€the€deed€from€Terea€Gregory€to€Odell€Gregory€was€invalid,Ïbecause€it€was€based€upon€the€fraudulent€deed.€€The€complaint€alsoÏasserts€that€the€deed€from€Estella€Buchanan€to€Odell€Gregory€is€invalid,Ïbecause€Estella€Buchanan€never€had€title€to€the€property.Ìà àOn€December€2,€1992,€the€answer€of€defendant€Laura€Sue€Gregory,Ïthe€wife€of€Odell€Gregory€and€sister„in„law€of€plaintiff€RaymondÏGregory,€was€filed.€€The€answer€denied€the€material€allegations€of€theÏcomplaint,€and€additionally€asserted€the€defense€of€laches€to€theÏallegations€of€the€complaint.€€The€defendant€also€asserted€aÏcounterclaim€to€the€18.5€acres€based€on€adverse€possession€under€T.C.AÏÔ€Ôðð€28„2„101€(1980),€Ô€Ôand€the€common€law€doctrine€of€prescription.€€TheÏanswer€and€counterclaim€aver€that€the€defendant€is€the€owner€of€theÏentire€18.5€acre€tract€based€upon€the€defendant's€continuous€andÏexclusive€possession€of€the€property€under€fence,€and€the€fact€thatÏdefendant€and€her€husband€have€paid€all€taxes€on€the€18.5€acre€tractÍsince€1961.Ìà àOn€January€12,€1993,€the€trial€court€entered€an€order€appointing€aÏguardian€ad€litem€to€represent€the€unknown€heirs€of€Samuel€and€JaneÏGregory.€€On€November€29,€1994,€the€case€was€tried€before€theÏchancellor€sitting€without€a€jury.€€On€March€13,€1995,€the€chancellorÏfiled€an€order€and€a€memorandum€opinion€finding€for€the€defendant.€€TheÏchancellor€found€that€the€defendant€took€title€to€7.5€acres€of€the€landÏby€virtue€of€adverse€possession€under€color€of€title.€€The€chancellorÏalso€found€that€the€defendant€took€title€to€the€remaining€8€acres× ƒ0 ××  ×€byÏvirtue€of€prescription,€because€the€defendant€openly,€notoriously,Ïadversely,€and€exclusively€possessed€the€land€for€a€period€of€more€thanÏtwenty€years.€€The€court€further€found€that€the€doctrine€of€lachesÏbarred€the€plaintiff€from€asserting€his€claims€of€fraud€in€theÏunderlying€deeds.€€In€addition,€the€chancellor€assessed€the€costs€of€theÏaction,€including€a€$1000€guardian€ad€litem€fee,€against€the€defendant.Ìà àOn€April€10,€1995,€the€plaintiff€filed€his€Notice€of€Appeal.€€TheÏplaintiff€presents€six€issues€for€our€review.€€As€stated€in€his€brief,Ïthose€issues€are:ÌÓÓÔ€Ôà8 àà8 à1.€Did€the€Chancellor€err€in€holding€that€thereÏwas€a€parol€partition€of€the€land€of€Samuel€andÏJane€Gregory.ÌÌà8 àà8 à2.€€Did€the€Court€err€in€holding€that€a€parolÏpartition€is€binding€in€this€case.ÌÌà8 àà8 à3.€€Did€the€Court€err€in€finding€that€theÏPlaintiffs€were€guilty€of€lachesÌÌà8 àà8 à4.€€Did€the€Court€err€in€finding€that€the€title€wasÏvested€in€the€Defendants€by€reason€of€having€hadÏopen,€notorious,€adverse,€and€exclusiveÏpossession€in€excess€for€(sic)€(20)€twenty€years.ÌÌà8 àà8 à5.€€Did€the€Court€err€in€holding€that€each€of€theÏchildren€of€Samuel€Gregory,€divided€the€propertyÏinto€2.5€acre€tracts€and€took€possession€intoÏcontrol€(sic)€of€their€own€individual€tract.ÌÌà8 àà8 à6.€€Did€the€court€err€in€holding€that€the€letterÏfrom€Odell€Gregory€to€Terra€(sic)€Vines€was€notÏan€admission€that€the€deeds€were€fraudent€(sic).ÌÌÓÓIn€addition€to€the€above€issues,€the€defendant„appellee€presents€oneÏadditional€issue€for€our€review.€€As€stated€in€her€brief,€that€issue€is:€ÌÓÓà8 àà8 àWhether€the€trial€court€erred€in€assessing€theÏcosts€of€the€action€below€against€the€defendant?€ÌÔ€ÔÌà àà àà àà àÔ€Ôò òI.€€Parol€Partition€of€the€Landó óÌÌÓÓà àWe€will€first€address€appellant's€first,€second,€and€fifth€issuesÏregarding€the€parol€partition€of€the€land.€€The€plaintiff€argues€that€theÏevidence€preponderates€against€the€trial€court's€finding€that€followingÍthe€death€of€Samuel€and€Jane€Gregory,€their€children€orally€partitionedÏthe€land€which€the€children€held€as€tenants€in€common.€We€disagree.Ìà àUnder€Tennessee€law,€parol€partition€followed€by€possession€isÏbinding€and€enforceable.€€òòò òMartin€v.€Tayloró óóó,€521€S.W.2d€581€(Tenn.Ï1975).€€A€parol€partition€of€land€is€not€a€sale€of€land,€and€therefore,Ïdoes€not€contravene€the€Statute€of€Frauds.€€òòò òMeacham€v.€Meachamó óóó,€91ÏTenn.€532,€19€S.W.€757€(1892).€€In€determining€whether€a€parolÏpartition€vests€each€individual€partitioner€with€fee€simple€absoluteÏtitle€in€the€partitioner's€individual€tract€following€partition,€a€courtÏshould€consider€whether€each€individual€takes€possession€of€the€tractÏand€performs€acts€evidencing€absolute€ownership€over€that€partÏallotted€to€him€or€her.€€òòSeeóó€Ô€Ôòòò òMartin€v.€Tayloró óóó,€521€S.W.2d€581Ô€Ô€(Tenn.Ï1975).€€€€€Ìà àAt€trial,€plaintiff€RaymondÔ€Ô€Gregory€testified€that€following€theÏdeaths€of€Samuel€and€Jane€Gregory,€their€children,€E.T.,€Samuel€Jr.,ÏMarry€Lizzie,€Mary€Ellen,€George,€and€Henry€orally€divided€the€15.5€acreÏtract€of€land€which€they€inherited€from€their€parents€as€tenants€inÏcommon.€€The€plaintiff€testified€that€"they€would€say€by€word€of€mouth,Ï'[t]his€is€my€area€right€here.'"€€The€plaintiff€testified€that€"each€one€hadÏhis€.€.€.€[tract],€and€they€fenced€off€some€areas€there,€in€a€couple€ofÍplaces."€€Mr.€Gregory€further€testified€that€each€of€the€children€built€aÏhouse,€Ô€Ôgrew€crops,€and€maintained€livestock€on€the€property€withinÏtheir€individual€tracts.€€Ô€ÔDuring€Raymond€Gregory's€direct€examination,Ïthe€trial€court€specifically€asked€him:ÌÓÓà8 àà8 àQ.€€As€I€understand€it,€just€among€them€each€oneÏpicked€out€roughly€what€they€thought€would€beÏtheir€two€and€a€half€acres€and€took€that€over€andÏtreated€it€as€theirs.ÌÌà8 àà8 àWITNESS:€Yes,€sir.ÌÌÓÓOn€cross„examination,€Mr.€Gregory€was€asked€how€the€land€was€"dividedÏup"€when€he€moved€to€Chicago€in€1943.€€He€responded,€that€the€land€wasÏdivided€according€to€"the€amount€of€land€these€brothers€and€sistersÏlived€on€.€.€.€."€ÌÔ€Ôà àThe€trial€court€found€that€the€children€of€Samuel€and€Jane€GregoryÏorally€partitioned€the€15.5€acres€which€they€held€as€tenants€in€commonÏfollowing€the€deaths€of€Samuel€and€Jane€Gregory.€€The€trial€courtÏfurther€found€that€once€the€children€partitioned€the€land,€each€childÏperformed€acts€of€absolute€ownership€over€his€or€her€individual€tract.€ÏThe€court€noted€that€the€derivation€clause€in€the€will€of€E.T.€GregoryÏsupported€the€court's€finding€that€there€had€been€a€parol€partition€ofÏthe€land.€€In€the€will,€E.T.€Gregory€devised€unto€his€wife,€EstellaÍGregory,€"the€house€and€tract€of€land€of€about€two€and€one„half€acres,Ïwhere€we€now€reside,€which€tract€of€land€is€on€the€Providence€Road€inÏthe€7th€Civil€District€of€Lincoln€County,€Tennessee,€and€was€received€byÏme€about€sixty„five€years€ago€in€the€division€of€the€lands€of€my€father,ÏSam€Gregory,€deceased."€€Based€upon€the€will€and€the€testimony€at€trial,Ïthe€trial€court€found€that€each€of€the€six€children€of€Samuel€and€JaneÏGregory€owned€approximately€a€2.5€acre€tract€of€land€in€fee€simpleÏabsolute.× ƒ1 ××  ×€€The€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€this€finding.Ô€ÔÌà àà àà àò òII.€€Fraud€in€the€Underlying€Deedsó óÌà àWe€next€consider€appellant's€issue€number€six,€"Did€the€Court€errÏin€holding€that€the€letter€from€Odell€Gregory€to€Terra€(sic)€Vines€wasÏnot€an€admission€that€the€deeds€were€fraudulent."€€The€plaintiff€arguesÏthat€the€trial€court€erred€in€holding€that€defendant€owns€7.5€acres€ofÏthe€land€by€virtue€of€adverse€possession,€because€the€deeds€whichÏconveyed€this€7.5€acres€to€the€defendant€(and€under€which€the€defendantÏclaims€color€of€title)€were€either€invalid€or€fraudulent,€and€theÏdefendant€and/or€her€husband,€Odell€Gregory,€were€aware€of€thisÏinvalidity€and€fraud.€€In€forwarding€this€argument€the€plaintiffÏcomplains€of€three€deeds.Ìà àò òA.€€The€Deed€from€the€Children€of€Henry€Gregory€to€TheirÏSister,€Terea€Gregoryó ó.€€€Ìà àThe€plaintiff€first€complains€of€the€deed€from€the€children€ofÏHenry€Gregory€to€Terea€Gregory,€arguing€that€the€deed€was€eitherÏprocured€by€fraud€and/or€surrounded€by€fraud€in€its€execution.€€AsÏstated€above,€Henry€Gregory€died€on€August€15,€1961.€€On€August€19,Ï1961,€the€children€of€Henry€Gregory€conveyed€by€deed€"5.5€acres,€moreÏor€less"€of€the€land€in€dispute€to€Terea€Gregory.€€The€land€conveyed€wasÏapparently€the€same€land€which€was€originally€owned€by€Henry'sÏbrother,€George,€and€apparently€consisted€of€George's€individual€2.583Ïacre€tract,€and€3€acres€of€land€which€was€adjacent€to€the€original€15.5Ïacres.× ƒ2 ××  ×€€The€deed€which€conveyed€the€5.583€acres€recites€that€HenryÏacquired€title€to€George's€land€by€adverse€possession.€€The€deed€alsoÏstates€that€Henry's€children€acquired€title€to€the€land€by€virtue€of€beingÏHenry's€heirs€at€law.€€The€text€of€the€deed€reads€in€pertinent€part:ÌÓÓà8 àà8 àà àFOR€AND€IN€CONSIDERATION€of€the€love€andÏaffection€which€we€the€undersigned€have€andÏentertain€for€our€sister,€Terea€M.€Gregory,€weÏthe€undersigned€Sam€Gregory,€Odell€Gregory,ÏWilliam€S.T.€Gregory,€Otho€L.€Gregory,€Lethel€S.ÏGregory,€Raymond€Gregory,€Ernest€Gregory,€MaryÍG.€Fearn,€Joe€G.€Campbell,€Sernetta€G.€Lane,€andÏCorine€G.€March€have€bargained€and€sold€and€doÏhereby€transfer€and€convey€unto€the€said€TereaÏM.€Gregory€the€following€described€lot€or€parcelÏof€land€lying€and€being€in€the€7th€Civil€DistrictÏof€Lincoln€County,€Tennessee,€bounded€andÏdescribed€as€follows:Ìà8 àà8 àBounded€on€the€north€by€Providence€Road;Ïbounded€on€the€east€by€Gregory€Heirs;€bounded€onÏthe€south€by€Sarah€D.€Posey;€containing€5.5Ïacres,€more€or€less,Ìà8 àà8 àand€bounded€on€the€west€by€Sam€Bagley,€/andÏbeing€the€same€Ô€Ô€real€estate€conveyed€untoÏGeorge€Gregory€by€various€deeds€and€owned€byÏhim€at€the€time€of€his€death,€October€30,€1955,Ïand€thereafter€his€brother,€Henry€Gregory,€heldÏpossession€of€said€property€adversely€underÏfence€paying€all€real€estate€taxes,€until€hisÏdeath,€August€15,€1961,€and€upon€his€death€hisÏrights€in€said€real€estate€descended€to€us€theÏundersigned€as€his€children€and€only€heirs€at€lawÏand€our€sister,€the€grantee€herein€named.€Ô€Ô€à àà àà àà àà àà àà àà àÌÌÓÓà àThe€deed€was€filed€in€the€Lincoln€County€Register's€Office€onÏAugust€22,€1961.€€All€of€the€signatures€of€the€named€grantors€appear€inÏthe€signature€block,€and€the€deed€contains€the€certification€of€a€notaryÏpublic.€€The€plaintiff€admits€that€he€and€the€other€children€signed€aÏdeed€to€Terea€which€contained€the€same€language€as€the€deed€datedÏAugust€19,€1961,€but€he€asserts€that€the€deed€he€signed€only€grantedÏTerea€three€acres€of€land€and€did€not€contain€the€certification€of€aÏnotary€public.€€Mr.€Gregory€also€testified€that€neither€he€nor€hisÍsiblings€ever€intended€the€"grant"€of€the€land€to€Terea€to€vest€her€withÏownership€of€the€land.× ƒ3 ××  ×€€He€maintains€that€the€deed€which€he€signedÏwas€on€a€yellow€piece€of€paper,€and€was€not€signed€in€the€presence€of€aÏnotary€public.× ƒ4 ××  ×€€à àIn€support€of€this€argument€the€plaintiff€introduced€aÏletter€which€he€alleges€was€written€by€Odell€Gregory€to€Terea€Gregory.€ÏThe€letter€contains€the€business€letterhead€of€Odell€and€his€partner€inÏthe€funeral€home€business,€George€Howard.€€The€plaintiff€argues€thatÏthe€letter€is€evidence€that€the€deed€from€him€and€his€siblings€to€TereaÏwhich€appears€"on€the€books"€is€a€fraud,€because€the€letter€states€thatÏthe€plaintiff's€brother€Sam€never€signed€the€deed€or€acknowledged€hisÏsignature€in€the€presence€of€a€notary€public.€€The€plaintiff€argues€thatÏthe€letter€is€strong€evidence€of€fraud,€especially€in€light€of€the€factÏthat€the€notary€who€acknowledged€the€signatures€was€George€Howard,ÏOdell's€partner€in€the€funeral€home€business.€€The€letter€is€datedÏSeptember€7,€1961,€and€reads€in€pertinent€part:ÌÓÓà8 àà8 àDear€Sister€Terea;ÌÌà àà à*€*€*Ìà8 àà8 à€€à àSam€says€he€didnt€Sign€the€Deed€transfer,Ïand€this€is€where€I€had€to€work€fast€to€Save€PuttÏ[George€Howard]€because€he€stamped€his€Seal€onÏthis€document.ÌÌà8 àà8 àà àIf€he€were€to€push€this€case€and€prove€thatÏhe€did'nt€Sign,€Putt€Howard€could€get€some€timeÏin€confinement.€€I€got€Sam€to€Agree€that€it€wasÏAlwright€with€him€for€you€to€have€the€littleÏtract€of€land.€€And€thats€that.€€Terea€you€seeÏeach€of€us€were€suppose€to€sign€our€names€in€theÏpresence€of€the€Notary,€But€being€a€partner€ofÏhis€he€stuck€his€neck€out€trusting€the€honesty€ofÏus.€€Dont€you€write€Sam€Anything€concerning€thisÏjust€leave€it€to€me,€and€I'll€settle€all€of€it.ÌÌà àà à*€*€*ÌÌà àà àà àà àà àà àYour€Bro,Ìà àà àà àà àà àà àOdell€GregoryÌÌÓÓà àAt€trial€the€defendant€objected€to€the€letter€on€the€basis€that€itÏwas€hearsay€not€falling€within€any€exception.€€The€trial€court€admittedÏthe€letter€under€Tenn.R.Evid.€804(b)(3)× ƒ5 ××  ×€finding€that€the€statement€wasÍagainst€the€interest€of€Odell€Gregory,€because€the€statement,€if€madeÏpublic,€could€result€in€George€Howard€being€subjected€to€criminalÏpenalties.€€The€court€found€that€because€George€Howard€was€a€businessÏpartner€of€Odell€Gregory,€any€criminal€action€against€Howard€couldÏaffect€Odell's€business€interests.€€Therefore,€the€statement€wasÏagainst€the€pecuniary€interest€of€Odell€Gregory.€€€Ìà àDefendant€states€in€her€brief€that€the€chancellor€erred€inÏadmitting€the€letter€into€evidence,€but€makes€no€argument€as€requiredÏby€T.R.A.P.€27(a)(7).€€Accordingly,€we€consider€this€issue€waived.€€òòSeeóóÏòòò òWilhite€v.€Brownsville€Concrete€Co.,€Inc.,ó óóó€798€S.W.2d€772,€775Ï(Tenn.App.€1990).à àÌà àTerea€GregoryÔ€Ô,€the€grantee€of€the€5.583€acres€in€the€deed€from€herÏsiblings,€also€testified€at€trial€regarding€the€circumstancesÏsurrounding€the€execution€of€the€deed€from€her€siblings.€€TereaÏtestified€that€at€her€father€Henry's€funeral,€Odell€approached€her€with€aÏdocument€on€legal€size€paper€and€told€her€that€he€and€the€other€siblingsÍwere€going€to€place€"Uncle€George's€property"€in€her€name,€because€sheÏhad€given€her€father€Henry€"support."€€Ms.€Gregory€testified€that€theÏdeed€which€appears€in€the€Lincoln€County€Register's€Office€was€not€theÏdocument€which€her€brothers€and€sisters€signed.€€Ms.€Gregory€alsoÏtestified€that€the€deed€which€her€brothers€and€sisters€signed€was€"on€aÏlegal€pad"€and€had€no€notary€certification.€€Ms.€Gregory€further€statedÏthat€at€the€time€she€saw€the€deed,€three€of€her€brothers€and€sisters€hadÏnot€signed€the€deed,€but€she€also€admitted€that€it€was€possible€that€herÏbrother€Odell€had€obtained€these€signatures€between€the€time€she€lastÏsaw€the€deed€and€the€filing€of€the€deed.€€In€her€testimony€at€trial,€Ms.ÏGregory€never€specifically€stated€whether€the€deed€she€originally€sawÏgranted€her€3€or€approximately€5.5€acres.€€She€simply€stated€that€theÏdeed€granted€her€"Uncle€George's€property."ÌÔ€Ôà àò òB.€€The€Deed€from€Terea€Gregory€to€her€Brother€OdellÏGregory€and€Defendant€Laura€Sue€Gregoryó ó€€Ìà àThe€second€deed€which€the€plaintiff€asserts€is€fraudulent€is€theÏdeed€from€Terea€Gregory€to€Odell€and€his€wife,€defendant€Laura€SueÏGregory.€€In€this€warranty€deed,€dated€September€10,€1965,€Terea€soldÏthe€land€that€was€conveyed€to€her€by€the€August€19,€1961,€deed€fromÏher€brothers€and€sisters,€to€her€brother€Odell€and€the€defendant€for€theÍsum€of€$300.000€€The€deed€states€in€pertinent€part:ÌÓÓÌà8 àà8 àFOR€AND€IN€CONSIDERATION€of€the€sum€of€THREEÏHUNDRED€($300.00)€DOLLARS€this€day€cash€inÏhand€paid,€receipt€of€which€is€herebyÏacknowledged,€I,€the€undersigned€Terea€GregoryÏMcNeil,€have€bargained€and€sold€and€do€herebyÏtransfer€and€convey€unto€Odell€Gregory€and€wife,ÏLaura€Sue€Gregory,€the€following€described€realÏestate€lying€and€being€in€the€7th€Civil€DistrictÏof€Lincoln€County,€Tennessee,€bounded€andÏdescribed€as€follows:Ìà8 àà8 àà àBounded€on€the€North€by€Providence€Road;Ïon€the€South€by€Mrs.€Sara€Douglas€Posey;€on€theÏWest€by€Sam€S.€Bagley;€and€on€the€East€by€OdellÏGregory,€containing€approximately€5€acres,€moreÏor€less,€and€being€the€same€real€estate€conveyedÏunto€the€undersigned€as€Terea€M.€Gregory€by€deedÏof€Sam€Gregory,€et€al,€dated€August€19,€1961,Ïand€recorded€in€the€Register's€Office€of€LincolnÏCounty,€Tennessee,€in€Deed€Book€"E„7",€page€289,Ïto€which€deed€reference€is€here€had€forÏparticulars.ÌÌÓÓThe€deed€is€signed€by€Terea€and€contains€the€acknowledgement€of€aÏnotary€public.€€This€deed€was€filed€in€the€Lincoln€County€Register'sÏOffice€on€September€20,€1965.€€At€trial€Terea€Gregory€testified€thatÏshe€sold€this€property€to€Odell€because€she€was€getting€married€andÏmoving€away.€€She€stated€that€the€signature€on€the€deed€was€in€factÏhers,€but€Odell€failed€to€ever€pay€her€the€$300.00.€€€Ìà àò òC.€€The€Deed€from€Estella€Buchanan€to€Odell€Gregory.ó óÌà àThe€last€deed€which€the€plaintiff€complains€of€is€a€warranty€deedÏfrom€Estella€Buchanan,€the€wife€of€E.T.€Gregory,€to€Odell€Gregory€inÏwhich€Estella€Buchanan€sold€her€husband€E.T.'s€2.583€acre€tract€of€landÏto€Odell€for€the€sum€of€$410.00.€€The€deed€is€dated€March€9,€1965,€andÏdescribes€the€land€as€"being€the€same€real€estate€that€was€devised€untoÏthe€undersigned€as€Estella€Gregory€by€the€last€will€and€testament€ofÏthe€said€E.T.€Gregory,€deceased,€which€is€to€be€found€of€record€in€theÏOffice€of€the€County€Court€Clerk€of€Lincoln€County,€Tennessee,€in€WillÏBook€10€[penciled€in],€page€334€[penciled€in],€to€which€reference€is€hereÏhad€for€particulars."€€The€deed€is€dated€March€9,€1965,€and€contains€theÏsignature€of€Estella€Buchanan€and€the€acknowledgement€of€a€notaryÏpublic.€€€€€€Ìà àThe€plaintiff€asserts€that€the€deed€from€Estella€Buchanan€to€OdellÏGregory€is€invalid,€because€Estella€Buchanan€never€owned€the€property,Ïand€therefore,€could€not€deed€the€property€to€Odell.€€The€plaintiffÏargues€that€E.T.€Gregory's€will€never€vested€Estella€Buchanan€with€titleÏto€the€property,€because€E.T.€did€not€own€the€2.583€acres.€€PlaintiffÏcontends€that€the€2.583€acres€was€simply€part€of€the€original€15.5Ïacres€which€was€held€by€all€the€heirs€of€Samuel€and€Jane€Gregory€asÏtenants€in€common.Ìà àÔ€ÔThe€trial€court€made€no€finding€as€to€whether€the€August€19,Ï1961,€deed€from€the€children€of€Henry€Gregory€to€Terea€Gregory€wasÏfraudulent,€the€court€simply€ruled€that€the€plaintiff€was€barred€fromÏasserting€fraud€by€virtue€of€laches€and€did€not€elaborate€further.€ÏBecause€we€find€that€the€plaintiff€failed€to€prove€fraud€in€the€AugustÏ19,€1961€deed€(or€any€other€deed),€we€do€not€reach€the€laches€issues.Ìà àIt€is€well€settled€that€to€set€aside€a€deed,€the€proof€must€beÏclear,€cogent,€and€convincing.€€òòò òMyers€v.€Myersó óóó,€891€S.W.2d€216,€219Ï(Tenn.App.€1994);€òòò òPugh€v.€Burtonó óóó,€25€Tenn.App.€614,€166€S.W.2d€624,Ï627€(1942).€€In€this€case€the€€plaintiff's€proof€simply€fails€to€clearly,Ïcogently,€and€convincingly€prove€fraud€in€the€deed€from€him€and€hisÏsiblings€to€Terea€Gregory.€€The€only€evidence€that€the€deed€contained€inÏthe€Lincoln€County€land€records€was€not€the€original€deed€signed€by€theÏchildren€of€Henry€Gregory,€was€the€testimony€of€the€plaintiff€and€theÏplaintiff's€witness,€Terea€Gregory.€€In€many€instances€Terea'sÏtestimony€failed€to€corroborate€the€plaintiff's€testimony.€€The€plaintiffÏtestified€that€the€deed€he€signed€only€contained€a€grant€of€3€acres€toÏTerea.€€However,€Terea's€testimony€and€her€deed€to€Odell€in€which€sheÏsold€him€"approximately€5€acres,"€indicate€that€the€deed€to€her€from€herÏsiblings€did€in€fact€convey€"5.5€acres,€more€or€less."€€In€addition,€whileÍTerea€testified€that€not€all€of€her€brothers€and€sisters€signed€the€deed,Ïthe€plaintiff€seemed€to€believe€that€all€of€them€had€signed€the€deed,Ïalthough€not€in€the€presence€of€a€notary.€€Finally,€even€if€we€assumeÏthat€the€letter€which€plaintiff€introduced€was€in€fact€written€by€OdellÏGregory,€the€letter€establishes€at€most,€that€Odell€simply€had€heardÏthat€Sam€Gregory€had€not€signed€the€deed;€it€does€not€establish€that€theÏdeed€was€in€fact€not€signed€by€Sam€Gregory.€Ô€ÔÌÔ€Ôà àWith€respect€to€the€deed€from€Terea€Gregory€to€Odell€and€LauraÏSue€Gregory,€which€is€dated€September€10,€1965,€the€trial€court€alsoÏdid€not€make€any€finding€as€to€whether€the€deed€was€procured€by€fraudÏor€whether€the€deed€should€be€set€aside€due€to€any€other€fraudÏsurrounding€the€deed.€€Not€only€has€the€plaintiff€failed€to€produce€clear,Ïcogent,€and€convincing€evidence€of€fraud€surrounding€this€deed,€theÏplaintiff€has€failed€to€produce€any€evidence€of€fraud€whatsoever.€€ThisÏargument€is€without€merit.Ìà àIn€summary,€the€deeds€from€the€children€of€Henry€Gregory€toÏTerea€Gregory,€and€from€Terea€Gregory€to€Odell€and€defendant€Laura€SueÏGregory,€vested€Odell€and€defendant€with€whatever€title€that€HenryÏGregory€had€to€the€5.583€acres€that€was€originally€owned€by€GeorgeÏGregory.€€Upon€Odell's€death€his€will€vested€defendant€with€title€to€allÍof€his€property,€both€real€and€personal,€thus,€by€virtue€of€Odell's€will,Ïdefendant€holds€title€to€this€5.583€acres.€€The€trial€court€ruled€that€theÏdeeds€in€conjunction€with€the€defendant's€possession€of€the€land,Ïconveyed€title€to€5€acres€of€the€land€by€virtue€of€adverse€possession.€ÏThis€ruling€is€modified€to€vest€defendant€with€title€to€5.583€acres€ofÏthe€land€by€virtue€of€the€deeds€and€the€will€of€Odell€Gregory.Ìà àÔ€ÔFinally€the€plaintiff's€argument€that€the€deed€from€EstellaÏBuchanan€to€Odell€GregoryÔ€Ô€is€invalid€because€Estella€Buchanan€neverÏowned€the€property,Ô€Ô€is€without€merit.€€The€argument€is€without€meritÏbased€upon€our€holding€that€the€children€of€Samuel€and€Jane€GregoryÏorally€partitioned€and€took€possession€of€the€land€in€dispute,€therebyÏvesting€the€children€with€a€fee€simple€absolute€title€in€their€individualÏ2.583€acre€tracts.€€Since€E.T.€Gregory€held€title€in€fee€simple€absoluteÏto€his€tract€he€was€free€to€devise€the€tract€to€his€wife€Estella€at€hisÏdeath.€€Ô€Ôòòò òMyers€v.€Myersó óóó,€891€S.W.2d€216,€220€(Tenn.App.€1994)("[T]heÏpower€of€alienation€is€necessarily€incident€to€every€estate€in€fee.)Ô€Ô€ÏLikewise,€Estella€was€free€to€sell€this€tract€to€Odell€Gregory.€€SinceÏOdell€Gregory's€will€devised€all€his€real€and€personal€property€to€hisÏwife,€defendant€Laura€Sue€Gregory,€the€effect€of€Odell's€will€was€toÏvest€title€to€this€2.583€acre€tract€of€land€in€the€defendant.€€The€trialÍcourt€ruled€that€defendant€took€title€to€this€tract€by€adverseÏpossession.€€This€ruling€is€modified€to€vest€the€defendant€with€title€toÏthis€tract€by€virtue€of€the€deed€from€Estella€Buchanan€to€Odell€GregoryÏand€the€will€of€Odell€Gregory.Ìà àò òIII.€€Defendant's€Adverse€Possession€and€PrescriptionÏClaimsÌó óà àSince€we€have€determined€that€the€defendant€holds€title€to€8.166Ïacres€of€the€land€in€dispute,€we€next€address€the€issue€of€whether€theÏtrial€court€erred€in€ruling€that€the€defendant€holds€title€to€theÏremainder€of€the€18.5€acres€by€virtue€of€prescription.€€€ÌÔ€Ô€€€€€€€Ô€ÔAt€trial,€Raymond€Gregory€testified€that€following€the€death€ofÏHenry€Gregory€in€1961,€Odell€Gregory€exclusively€possessed€the€entireÏ18.5€acre€tract€of€land€until€Odell€died€in€1986.€€Raymond€also€testifiedÏthat€after€1986€defendant€continued€to€exclusively€possess€the€land.€ÏÔ€ÔRaymond€testified€that€Odell€informed€him€sometime€in€1966€that€heÏ(Odell)€was€going€to€use€the€land,€and€that€Odell€used€the€property€"asÏhe€pleased."€€Ô€ÔRaymond€further€testified€that€Odell€paid€all€the€taxes€onÏthe€land,€farmed€the€land,€raised€cattle€on€the€land,€and€rented€the€land,Ïand€that€he€never€asked€Odell€for€(or€received)€any€of€the€profitsÏproduced€from€Odell's€activities€on€the€land.€€The€record€indicates€thatÍdefendant€continued€to€rent€and€farm€the€land€after€Odell's€death€inÏ1986.€€à àThe€plaintiff€also€testifiedÔ€Ô€that€prior€to€1966,€he€attemptedÏto€pay€the€taxes€on€the€land€on€two€separate€occasions€since€he€wasÏuncertain€whether€the€land€taxes€were€being€paid,€and€that€both€timesÏhis€tax€payments€were€returned,€because€the€taxes€had€already€beenÏpaid€by€Odell.Ô€Ô€€Ô€ÔMr.€Gregory€testified€that€he€became€aware€that€the€landÏ"was€not€our€land€any€more"€about€six€or€seven€years€prior€to€filing€suitÏin€1992.€€The€trial€court€ruled€that€the€defendant€should€be€awardedÏtitle€to€8€acres€of€the€land€by€virtue€of€the€common€law€doctrine€ofÏprescription,€because€the€defendant€and€her€husband,€Odell€Gregory,€hadÏcontinuously,€exclusively,€notoriously,€and€adversely€possessed€these€8Ïacres€for€more€than€20€years.€€€à àÌà àÔ€ÔTitle€under€the€common€law€doctrine€of€prescription€does€notÏrequire€even€color€of€title.€€òòò òHallmark€v.€Tidwelló óóó,€Ô€Ô849€S.W.2d€787,Ï793€(Tenn.€App.€1992)Ô€Ô€(citing€òòò òFreeman€v.€Martin€Robowask,€Incó óóó.,€61ÏTenn.App.€677,€457€S.W.2d€606€(1970)).€€To€receive€title€under€theÏcommon€law€doctrine€ofÔ€Ô€prescription,€€the€prescriptive€holder€mustÏhave€been€in€exclusive,€uninterrupted,€notorious,€and€adverseÏpossession€of€the€land€in€question€for€a€period€of€more€than€20€years.€Ïòòò òHallmarkó óóó,€849€S.W.2d€at€793.€€Where€from€long€possession€theÍpresumption€of€a€grant€to€complainants€arises,€it€is€not€necessary€thatÏthey€show€title€by€paper€writings,€uninterrupted€possession€for€20Ïyears€being€sufficient€to€evidence€title€and€seizin€in€fee.€€òòò òId.€óóó óat€792„93€(Citing€òòò òKeel€v.€Suttonó óóó,€142€Tenn.€341,€219€S.W.€351€(1920)).€€TheÏpresumption€that€a€prescriptive€holder€has€title€to€land€may€beÏrebutted€by€showing€that€the€prescriptive€holder€was€merely€using€theÏland€with€the€permission€of€the€actual€owner.€€òòò òDrewery€v.€Nelmsó óóó,€132ÏTenn.€254,€177€S.W.€946€(1915).Ìà àÔ€ÔThe€testimony€of€the€plaintiff,€Raymond€Gregory,€indicates€thatÏthe€defendant€has€had€exclusive,€uninterrupted,€and€notoriousÏpossession€of€the€entire€18.5€acres€since€Henry€Gregory€died€in€1961.€ÏThe€only€element€of€prescription€which€the€defendant€disputes€is€thatÏof€adverse€or€hostile€possession.€€Ô€ÔRaymond€Gregory€testified€thatÏalthough€Odell€made€whatever€use€of€the€property€he€(Odell)€desiredÏfrom€1961€until€his€death€in€1986,€Raymond€never€thought€that€OdellÏwas€doing€anything€other€than€"just€renting€or€using€the€property"€basedÏupon€an€"understanding"€which€he€and€Odell€had€regarding€the€paymentÏof€taxes€on€the€land.€Ô€ÔRaymond€argues€that€notwithstanding€the€controlÏwhich€Odell€and€the€defendant€Laura€Sue€exercised€over€the€property,ÏOdell€and€Laura€Sue's€possession€should€not€be€considered€adverse€Ô€Ô(atÍleast€until€not€Odell's€death€in€1986)Ô€Ô,€because€he€understood€that€OdellÏcould€graze€the€land€and€rent€the€land€in€exchange€for€Odell's€paymentÏof€the€taxes€on€the€land.€€Plaintiff€argues€that€until€shortly€afterÏOdell's€death,€plaintiff€assumed€that€Odell€and€defendant€were€simplyÏusing€the€land€with€the€plaintiff's€and€the€other€siblings'€permission.€ÏIn€support€of€this€argument,€plaintiff€introduced€into€evidence€a€letterÏdated€February€13,€1962,€written€to€plaintiff€from€his€brother€Odell€inÏwhich€Odell€states:Ô€.ÔÌÓÓÔ€Ôà8 àà8 àDear€Bro€Raymond;ÌÌà8 àà8 à*€*€*ÌÌà8 àà8 àà àThe€Land€taxes€were€$8.32€which€is€aÏlittle€cheaper€than€they€were€last€year.€€Terea'sÏtaxes€on€Uncle€George's€track€was€$2.77Ìà8 àà8 àà àI€pd.€the€taxes€on€both€tracks€just€to€beÏSure€they€were€pd.€Of€Course€Terea€willÏreemburse€on€her's.€€Now€On€this€8.32€I€am€notÏAsking€Anybody€to€help€me€pay€them,€because€IÏam€going€to€try€to€grow€enough€out€there€to€getÏmy€money€back,€and€its€left€up€to€you€as€toÏwhether€you€pay€any€of€this€tax.€€Give€My€Love€toÏall€the€family,€And€We€Are€All€doing€Very€Well.ÌÌà àà àà àà àà àà àà àYour€Bro,€Ìà àà àà àà àà àà àà àOdell€Gregory€€ÌÔ€.Ô€ÌÓÓà àÔ€ÔThe€plaintiff€argues€that€the€above€letter€establishes€that€theÏplaintiff€and€Odell€Gregory€had€an€agreement€in€which€Odell€would€payÍthe€taxes€on€the€land€in€exchange€for€farming€the€land,€and€therefore,ÏOdell's€use€of€the€land€was€not€adverse€to€the€interests€of€plaintiff€andÏthe€other€children€of€Samuel€and€Jane€Gregory€and€their€respectiveÏheirs.€€We€agree.Ìà àWe€think€the€above€quoted€letter€was€sufficient€to€lead€theÏplaintiff€to€believe€that€Odell's€possession€of€the€land€was€not€adverseÏto€the€interests€of€plaintiff€and€the€other€children€of€Samuel€and€JaneÏGregory€and€their€respective€heirs.€€The€defendant€asserts€that€her€andÏher€husband's€possession€of€the€land€was€adverse,€and€this€fact€wasÏestablished€by€plaintiff's€own€testimony€in€which€he€stated€that€OdellÏ"excluded"€him€from€the€property.€€The€defendant€also€relies€on€aÏportion€of€the€plaintiff's€testimony€in€which€he€stated€that€he€and€OdellÏnever€had€an€agreement€regarding€the€payment€of€the€land€taxes.€€Ìà àWe€find€the€defendant's€reliance€on€these€portions€of€theÏtestimony€to€be€unpersuasive.€€Although€the€plaintiff€testified€that€heÏwas€"excluded"€from€the€land,€it€is€unclear€from€the€testimony€whenÏthe€plaintiff€was€excluded€as€well€as€what€form€this€"exclusion"€took.ÏWith€respect€to€the€plaintiff's€testimony€stating€that€he€and€OdellÏnever€had€an€agreement€regarding€the€taxes,€the€plaintiff€wasÏindicating€that€Odell€unilaterally€informed€the€plaintiff€that€he€(Odell)Íwas€going€to€use€the€land€for€farming€and€in€exchange€pay€the€taxes€onÏthe€land.€€When€the€plaintiff€testified€that€he€and€Odell€never€had€anÏagreement,€he€was€indicating€that€he€never€specifically€assented€toÏOdell's€use€of€the€land.€€However,€this€testimony€does€not€establish€thatÏOdell€was€using€the€land€without€Raymond's€permission,€nor€does€itÏchange€the€character€of€Odell's€letter€to€Raymond€in€which€Odell€statedÏthat€he€would€not€ask€anyone€to€share€in€the€burden€of€the€taxes,Ïbecause€he€would€recoup€his€tax€payments€from€farming.€€Regardless€ofÏwhether€Raymond€specifically€assented€to€Odell's€farming/grazing€ofÏthe€land€(and€therefore,€did€or€did€not€specifically€give€OdellÏpermission€to€use€the€land),€€we€think€Raymond€could€reasonablyÏconstrue€Odell's€letter€to€mean€that€Odell's€possession€of€the€land€wasÏnot€adverse.€Ìà àIn€summary,€the€defendant€has€failed€in€her€burden€of€proving€thatÏher€possession€of€the€land€was€adverse€to€the€interests€of€the€plaintiffÏand€the€other€children€of€Samuel€and€Jane€Gregory€and€their€respectiveÏheirs.€€Ìà àà àà àò òà àIV.€Costs€of€the€Actionó óÌà àFinally€we€reach€the€defendant's€issue€regarding€the€trial€court'sÏÔ€Ôassessment€of€the€costs€of€the€action€against€her.€€The€court€apparentlyÍreasoned€that€the€defendant€should€pay€the€costs€of€the€action,€becauseÏthe€outcome€of€the€litigation€was€to€her€benefit.€€The€defendant€arguesÏthat€the€costs€of€the€action€were€unfairly€assessed€against€her,Ïbecause€she€did€not€initiate€the€action.€€She€argues€that€in€both€civilÏand€chancery€suits,€the€successful€party€is€entitled€to€the€costs€of€theÏaction€unless€otherwise€directed€by€law€or€a€court€of€record.€€SheÏfurther€argues€that€no€compelling€reason€exists€for€diverging€from€theÏlongstanding€rule€that€the€costs€of€an€action€are€assessed€against€theÏlosing€party.Ìà àIt€is€well€settled€that€assessment€of€the€costs€of€an€action€areÏwithin€the€discretion€of€the€trial€court.€òòò òIn€Re€Webbó óóó,€675€S.W.2d€176Ï(Tenn.App.€1984).€€However,€in€view€of€our€decision,€the€costs€should€beÏassessed€equally€against€all€parties.Ìà àÔ€ÔAccordingly€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€awarding€7.5€acres€toÏthe€defendant€by€virtue€of€adverse€possession€is€modified€to€award€theÏdefendant€8.166€acres€by€virtue€of€the€will€of€Odell€Gregory€and€theÏdeeds€from€Estella€Buchanan€and€Terea€Gregory.€€The€judgment€of€theÏtrial€court€awarding€the€remaining€property€to€the€defendant€isÏreversed,€and€the€case€is€remanded€to€the€trial€court€for€aÏdetermination€of€the€respective€interests€in€the€property.€€Costs€in€theÍtrial€court€and€costs€on€appeal€are€assessed€equally€against€the€parties.ÓÓÌÔ€Ôà àà àà àà àà àà à____________________________________Ìà àà àà àà àà àà àò òW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€Ìà àà àà àà àà àà àPRESIDING€JUDGE,€W.S.ÌÔ€ÔÌCONCUR:ÌÌÔ€Ô________________________________ÌDAVID€R.€FARMER,€JUDGEÌó óÔ€ÔÌÌ__________________________________Ìò òWILLIAM€H.€WILLIAMS,€ÌSENIOR€JUDGEÌÌÌÌó óÌÌ