Understanding a 1871Michigan Deed record
Monroe County Michigan 1871deed record - Deed book 75, page 12, image 11
Why would a wife sell 20 acres of land to her husband for $300.00 and not give it to him as a gift for a much smaller amount?
It is a second marriage for both Roena and Lewis who both lost their first spouse to death. Roena and Lewis were married on 10 January 1863. This deed is dated 1871.
Could women not own land if they remarried? Looking for clarification.
Thank you,
Nancy Roberson
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Your question, “Could women not own land if they remarried?”, is right on target. I would suggest you Google “Women’s right to own property today” – a variety of sources will come up that should help you find the answer to your specific question.
Good Hunting!
Ronald H. Olson
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Roena had five children by her first husband, at least three of which were alive in 1871. She had two children by Lewis before the land transfer.
Women were granted separate economy in Michigan in 1855 giving them the right to own land. If Roena predeceased Lewis, and died intestate, the land would have defaulted to Lewis 100% by virtue of being her husband. Her children would receive nothing. It is possible that she sold the land to Lewis for $300 to ensure that the children by her first husband received a portion of the value of the land which had likely belonged to their father.
I could be completely wrong on her motivation but it might be worth considering. It would be nice to know the state of her health at the time of the sale, even though she lived until 1909.
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