ABSTRACT OF TITLE. An epitome of the evidence of ownership showing the soundness of one's right to an estate. In the absence of any agreement to the contrary the purchaser of a freehold estate is entitled to have such evidence for a period of forty years, but in the case of advowsons the period is one hundred years. The abstract is sufficient if it shows that the vendor is either himself competent to convey or can otherwise procure to be vested in the purchaser the legal and equitable estates free from incumbrances.