Charge

In equity practice. A statement in writing made by a party to a suit in equity, before a master of the court, of the items with which the opposite party should be debited or should account for, or of the claim of the party making it. It is more comprehensive than a claim, which implies only the amount due to the person producing it, while a charge may embrace the whole liabilities of the accounting party. Hoffmanns Master in Chanc. 36.

wills, devises, ig an obligation which a testator imposes on his devisee, as, if the testator give Peter, Blackacre, and directs that he shall pay to John during his life an annuity of one hundred dollars which is to be a charge on said land; or if a legacy be given and directed to be paid out of the real property. 1 Rop. Leg. 446. Vide 4 Vin. Ab. 449; 1 Supp. to Ves. jr. 309; 2 Ib. 31; 1 Vern. 45, 411; 1 Swanst. 28; 4 East,