County Clerk
Records Storage Center & Archives
Book of Dower
| Record Series |
Book Of Dower |
| Index |
Index |
| Sample of Records |
View a sample record |
| Dates |
1821-1858 |
| Location |
Warren County Records Storage & Archives |
| Format |
Bound Volume, handwritten with (incomplete) index |
| Arranged |
Chronological |
| Volume |
1 bound volume |
| Department |
County Clerk |
| Legal Restrictions |
None |
| Use Restrictions |
Staff will access all records and must approve all requests for
copies
|
| Historical Background |
A dower was a widows right to a one third share of her deceased
husbands real property for the remainder of her life. An action of
dower was commenced if the widow did not receive her assigned share
within forty days of her husbands death. Dower actions could be
brought in Supreme Court, Common Pleas, Surrogate or Court of
Chancery. See Laws of 1787, Chap. 4 and Revised Statutes of 1829.
The right of Dower was abolished after August 31, 1930.
|
| Description of Record Series |
Handwritten bound volume, 9"x13"x2" with self contained index (not
complete). The volume itself contains 300 pages of which 55 pages
contain handwritten information. The remaining pages are blank. All
of the actions recorded in this book appear to have been brought
before Surrogates Court.
|
| Purpose of Record |
To protect a widows right to one third of her husbands real
property. A widow who was not assigned her dower could bring an
action of ejectment; a petition to Supreme Court, common pleas or
surrogate or a complaint to Chancery Court.
|
| Other Formats |
None |
| Finding Aids |
Self contained index (incomplete); name index on computer; series
locations on inventory database.
|
| Related Series |
Minutes of Courts, Common Pleas Papers, Surrogate estate case files
(MF), Book of Wills.
|
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