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Dower and Curtsy. TNGenWeb Tennessee Law, The Early Days |
 | | Curtesy is a principle in common law in England and early America by which a widower could use his deceased wife’s property (that is, property which she acquired and held in her own name) until his own death, but could not sell or transfer it to anyone but children of his wife. |
| | The estate to which by common law a man is entitled, on the death of his wife, in lands or tenements of which she was seised in possession in fee-simple or in tail during her coverture, provided they have had lawful issue born alive which might have been capable of inherting the estate. |
| | Because of the dower rights of a married woman and her legal interest in any land being sold or purchased, most early deeds will include the wife. |
| www.tngenweb.org /law/dower.html (444 words) |
