Sequestration

This sub sub sub fonds is divided into 2 series as follows:

• Sequestration Registers, 1903-1978. [Seq.Bk 1-3]
• Sequestration papers, 1785-1969. [SEQ]

The sequestration of a benefice is a process by which the Bishop or ecclesiastical court appoints one or more persons (sequestrators) to take the profits and income of a benefice and apply them according to the circumstances of the case, making provision also for the duties of the church. A sequestration is issued for the recovery of a debt from an incumbent or on his bankruptcy, in the course of proceedings against him in the ecclesiastical court, in certain cases of default by the incumbent, during a vacancy and if the incumbent is of unsound mind.

There are two hard copy finding aids for the sequestration papers. The first covers the original accession from the diocesan registry, which covers the period 1785-1927 and is arranged alphabetically by place name. A later accession of sequestration files from the registry covered the period 1931 to 1969, which have been briefly listed in date order.