Chirograph

In Old Conveyancing. A deed or public instrument in writing. Chirographs were anciently attested by the subscription and crosses of witnesses. Afterwards, to prevent frauds and concealments, deeds of mutual covenant were made in a script and rescript, or in a part and counterpart, and in the middle, between the two copies, they drew the capital letters of the alphabet, and then tallied, or cut asunder in an indented manner, the sheet or skin of parchment, one of which parts, being delivered to each of the parties, were proved authentic by matching with the answering to one another. Deeds thus made were denominated "syngrapha" by the canonists, because that word, instead of the letters of the alphabet or the word "chirographum," was used. 2 Bl. Comm. 296. The last part of a fine of land. It is called, more commonly, the foot of the fine. It is an instrument of writing, beginning with these words: "This is the final agreement," etc. It concludes the whole matter, reciting the parties, day, year, and place, and before whom the fine was acknowledged and levied. Cruise, Dig. tit. 35, c. 2, § 52. — ^In Civil and Canon Law. An Instrument written out and subscribed by the hands of the king or prince. An instrument written out by the parties, and signed by them. Du Cange; Cowell. In Scotch Law. A written voucher for a debt. Bell, Diet. The possession of this instrument by the debtor raises a presumption of payment by him. Bell, Diet.; Ersk. Inst. lib. 2, tit. 4, § 5. CHIROGRAPHER OF FINES (Law Lat. chirographus, or chirographarius finium et concordiarum).

In old English law. An officer of the court of common pleas, who engrossed the fines acknowledged in that court after they were examined, and fully passed by other officers, and who wrote and delivered the indentures of them to the parties. 2 Bl. Comm. 351; 2 Inst. 468; Cowell; Blount. See "Pine."

In old Euglish law. A deed or indenture; also the last part of a fine of land. An instrument of gift or conveyance attested by the subscription and crosses of the witnesses, which was in Saxon times called "chirographum," and which, being somewhat changed in form and manner by the Normans, was by them styled "charta." Anciently when they made a chirograph or deed which required a counterpart, as we call it, they engrossed it twice upon one piece of parchment contrariwise, leaving a space.between. in which they wrote in capital letters the word "chirograph," and then cut the parchment in two through tha middle of the word, giving a part to each party. Cowell.

In Scotch law. A written voucher for a debt. Bell.

In civil and canon law. An instrument written out and subscribed by the hand of the party who made it, whether the king or a private person. Cowell.

In English law. A deed or charter; an indenture executed in parts; a fine of lands, v. Charta; Charter; Chirographum.

In old English law. A deed or indenture; also the last part of a fine of land. An instrument of gift or conveyance attested by the subscription and crosses of the witnesses, which was in Saxon times called “chirographum,” and which, being somewhat changed in form and manner by the Normans, was by them styled “e Harta.” Anciently when they made a chirograph or deed which required a counterpart, as we call it, they engrossed it twice upon one piece of parchment contrariwise, leaving a space between, in which they wrote in capital letters the word “chirograph,” and then cut the parchment in two through the middle of the word, giving a part to each party. Cowell.

In Scotch law. A written voucher for a debt. Bell.

In civil and canon law. Aninstrument written out and subscribed by the hand of the party who made it, whether the king or a private person. Cowell.

A deed, indenture; a fine of lands. The word was written between the two parts of an indenture in the place where the parchment was cut. Chirographum apud debitorem repertum prassumitur solutum: a bond found with the debtor is presumed to have been paid.

[L. Lat. chirographum, q. v.] A deed or charter. See Charter, Charta. An indenture executed in parts. 2 Bl. Com. 296. Hargr. Co. Litt. note 234, lib. 2. A fine of lands. Blount. See Chirographum. A word used in the execution of indentures, and in levying fines. 2 Bl. Com. 296. Hargr. Co. Litt. ub. sup. See Chirographum.

conveyancing, signifies a deed or public instrument in writing; chirographs were anciently attested by the subscription and crosses of witnesses; afterwards, to prevent frauds and concealments, deeds of mutual covenant were made in a script and rescript, or in a part and counterpart, and in the middle, between the two copies, they drew the capital letters of the alphabet, and then tallied, or cut asunder in an indented manner, the sheet or skin of parchment, one of which parts being delivered to each of the parties, were proved authentic by matching with and answering to one another. Deeds thus made were denominated syngrapha, by the canonists, because that word, instead of the letters of the alphabet, or the word chtrographum, was used. 2 Bl. Com. 296. This method of preventing counterfeiting, or of detecting counterfeits, is now used by having some ornament or-some word engraved or printed at one end of are bound up in a book, and after they are executed, are cut asunder through such ornament or word. Chirograph is also the last part of a fine of land, commonly called the foot of the fine. It is an instrument: of writing, beginning with these words; “This is the final agreement,” &c. It includes the whole matter, reciting the: parties, day, year and place, and before whom the fine was acknowledged and levied. Cruise, Dig. tit. 35, c. 2, 3.52. Vide Chambers’s Dict. h. t; Encyclopedia Americana, Charter. Encyclopédie de D’Alembert, h. t; Pothier, Pand. tom. xxi. p. 73.