It has been a while since I practiced in Virginia, but women in Virginia
from early times could hold certain property as their "sole, separate and
equitable estates." The woman in question might have had property
inherited from, for instance, her father which she held separately. If you
need more info I can do some research - this is just from memory.

 Ginny Hench (law prof)

On Fri, 6 Apr 2001, Julia Crosswell wrote:

> Does anyone know what year married Virginia women were allowed to hold
> property in their own right? A member of another list has found an 1870
> will, wherein the wife leaves everything to her husband, although no
> specific property is named. We are wondering what property she could have
> been holding in her own name that would necessitate the need for a will.
>
> We are wondering if she had an interest in another's estate that had not
> yet been distributed. Are there other possible scenarios?
>
> Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
> Julie
>
> Julia Shiflett Crosswell
> Shiflet Webmaster
> Fort Worth, TX
>
> Shifflett Family Genealogy Website:
> http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/4575/
> March 1999 web site of the month at GenExchange
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