Research

Scope and Content Note

This series contains copies of decrees issued by the Vice Chancellors of the 4th, 7th and 8th Circuits authorizing the sale of land in mortgage foreclosure cases. The copies of decrees are on printed forms; court rule 135 standardized the form of mortgage foreclosure decrees. Foreclosure decrees for the 4th, 7th and 8th Circuit issued before 1837 and for the other circuits are recorded in Clerks' Minutes of Decrees.

Each decree contains the following information: the date and location of the hearing during which the decree was issued; the names of the complainant, defendant, and Master investigating the case; the date the Master's report was filed; the amount of the mortgage and, if partially paid, the amount outstanding; and description of the land to be sold.