Master in chancery

An officer of a court of chancery who acts as an assistant to the judge or chancellor. His office is to inquire into such matters as may be referred to him by the court, examine eausdb, take testimony, take accounts, compute damages, etc., reporting his findings to the court in such shape that a decree may be made; also to take oaths and affidavits and acknowledgments of deeds. In modem practice, many of the functions of a master are performed by clerks, commissioners, auditors, and referees, and in some jurisdictions the office has been superseded.

See Kimberly v. Arms, 129 U. S. 512 , 9 Sup. Ct 355, 32 In Ed. 764; Sehuchardt v. People, 99 111. 501, 39 Am. Rep. 34.