Thursday, October 4, 2012

Relinquishment of Dower Rights 1858

The following example of a wife or widow relinquishing her dower rights to property formerly owned by her husband is found in Crittenden County, Kentucky Deed Book E, pages 218-219. Without this relinquishment of dower, future owners of the property could not have a clear title. Sometimes the relinquishment of dower rights occurred many years after the property was sold.

23rd January 1858: Indenture between Nancy F. Woodsides of St. Clair County, Illinois and Samuel H. Elder of Crittenden County, Kentucky. Whereas some years ago, say about the 11th day of March 1834, John Woodsides deceased then the husband of the sd. Nancy Woodsides sold a tract of land to David Stephenson, containing three[?] hundred and twenty seven acres which conveyance was made and acknowledged before the clerk about the time above mentioned and same day that David Stephenson sold a part of the land to S.H. Elder for $229. And whereas Nancy F. Woodsides did not sign sd. conveyance to Stephenson and relinquish her dower ... now to perfect Elder's title and for the consideration of one dollar, Nancy relinquishes all her right to dower in and to sd. land. [signed] Nancy F. (X her mark) Woodsides. Recorded in Crittenden County 3 February 1858.

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by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG
Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog

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