Legal Definitions - moniment

Moniment is an archaic term referring to a memorial or a monument. In historical legal contexts, it would have been used to describe a structure, object, or place intended to preserve the memory of a person, event, or idea, or simply a significant landmark.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of "moniment":

• Imagine an old colonial land deed from the 1700s that describes a property boundary as running "from the ancient oak tree to the stone moniment erected by the creek."

  In this scenario, "moniment" refers to a physical marker, likely a stone pillar or cairn, that was intentionally placed to define a property line. It serves as a lasting point of reference, much like a modern boundary monument, ensuring the memory of the agreed-upon border.

• Consider a will drafted in the late 1600s that allocates funds "for the erection of a grand moniment in the town square, to commemorate the valor of the fallen soldiers from the recent conflict."

  Here, "moniment" clearly denotes a commemorative structure, such as a statue, obelisk, or plaque, intended to honor and perpetually remember a specific group of people and their heroic actions. It is a physical embodiment of memory and respect.

• Picture a historical map from the early 18th century that labels a distinctive hill with a unique rock formation as "Moniment Hill," indicating its importance as a recognizable landmark for travelers and settlers.

  In this context, while not necessarily built by human hands, the term "moniment" signifies a natural feature that is so prominent and memorable it serves as a lasting point of reference, akin to a natural monument. It helps people remember and navigate the landscape.