Notary or notary public. An officer duly commissioned and holding a seal of office who is
empowered by law to note protests and certify the same; to take depositions, acknowledgment of
deeds and other instruments and authenticate the same by his official certificate, signature and
seal.  The protest of a bill of exchange (draft) or of a promissory note under a notary's signature
and seal is everywhere received as legally authenticated without other evidence of the notary's
official character.  Formerly this officer was called scrivener or one who attested declarations and
made drafts of deeds, wills, etc.