GEN-NYS-L Archives

Archiver > GEN-NYS > 1997-08 > 0872772980-01


From: psmartoc< >
Subject: Dower Rights
Date: Thu, 28 Aug 1997 08:56:20 -0400


I have had a request to post the explanation for dower rights so that all
may see them.

"Dower. That portion of a man's real property that was set aside by law for
the support of his widow and the nurture of any minor children born of the
marriage. Until 1784, dower in NC was Dower by Common Law which was the
ordinary kind of dower in England and America. Common -law dower was the
wife's estate for her lifetime in one third of all lands and tenements of
which her husband was seized in fee simple at the time of the marriage or
became seized at any time during coverture... In 1784 the widow no longer
had to sue her heir's for allotment and possession of her dower tract and
she just petitioned the county court."
Taken from NC Research: Genealogy and Local HIstory
Carol Martoccia
Carol Pridgen Martoccia
903 East Fifth St.
Greenville, NC 27858

Any thoughts on Dowers Rights in NY or NJ as compared to NC. Comments
Appreciated.

------------------------------

This thread: