In Owings et al. v. Lessee of Tiernan, the Supreme Court was tasked with determining whether a deed from an individual to another was valid and enforceable under Maryland law. The plaintiff argued that the deed in question had been executed without consideration, making it invalid according to Maryland's Statute of Frauds. However, the defendant countered that there had been sufficient consideration for the deed as they had paid taxes on behalf of the grantor prior to executing it. Ultimately, Chief Justice Taney ruled in favor of the defendant and held that payment of taxes constituted sufficient consideration for a conveyance under Maryland law; thus rendering this particular deed valid and enforceable despite its lack of monetary exchange between parties involved at time execution.

In Owings et al. v. Lessee of Tiernan, the Supreme Court was asked to determine whether a tenant in possession of land had an obligation to pay rent for that land when the title owner failed to provide evidence of their ownership rights. The majority opinion held that tenants must pay rent regardless of any dispute over title and even if they were unaware at the time they took possession that there was a dispute over who owned the property. Justice McLean dissented from this decision, arguing instead that tenants should not be required to pay rent until it is established beyond doubt who owns the property in question and what their legal right is with respect to collecting rents on it. He argued further that requiring payment before such matters are resolved would lead only to injustice as tenants could end up paying twice for use of one piece of land or being forced out by someone else's claim without compensation for improvements made during tenancy.