Abstract of Title

a document setting forth in an orderly manner the essential facts of all patents, deeds, mortgages, releases, or other transactions affecting the title to a particular tract of land. In America a complete abstract states how the original owner came into possession, and describes all transfers to the present time. It should also show what taxes, if any, remain unpaid, and whether any judgments or other obligations exist which render the present owner unable to give a clear title. Ordinarily the seller of a tract of land is expected to furnish such an abstract for the buyer or his attorney to inspect, but he is under no legal obligation to do so. Many English abstracts begin with Doomsday Book. In Louisiana an abstract is likely to begin with some Spanish grant two centuries old. In the states of the Middle West the first entry is likely to cite a government patent conveying a homestead, preemption quarter, tree claim, or scrip claim to the original settler.