DE SECTA AD MOLENDINUM
de secta ad molendinum (dee sek-t<<schwa>> ad m<<schwa>>-len-di-n<<schwa>>m),
n.[Law Latin “of suit at mill”] Hist. A writ forcing a person to continue grinding corn at a
particular mill, as was customary, or to give a good reason why the custom should not be
“There are also other services, due by ancient custom and prescription only. Such is that of
doing suit to another’s mill: where the persons, resident in a particular place, by usage time out of
mind have been accustomed to grind their corn at a certain mill; and afterwards any of them go to
another mill, and withdraw their suit … from the ancient mill. This is not only a damage, but an
injury, to the owner …. And for this injury the owner shall have a writ de secta ad molendinum
commanding the defendant to do his suit at that mill … or show good cause to the contrary: in
which action the validity of the prescription may be tried, and if it be found for the owner, he shall
recover damages against the defendant.” 3 William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of
England 234–35 (1768). [Blacks Law 8th]