A few questions regarding "relinquishment of dower":

Was a dower automatic to the new wife upon her marriage, and if so, did it
apply to all of the husband's land/holdings upon the event of marriage?

Was this typical within specific regions or territories, or common
nationwide?

In what time frame was this practiced?

Obviously, a "relinquishment of dower" suggests the wife releases all
claims to land being sold.  However, would it have been necessary or
required that the woman sign said "relinquishment" upon the sale of her
husband's land?  To ask another way, would the lack of a signed
reliquishment signify that a man was single, or would the lack of the
document be meaningless?

Thank you,

Marie McKinney

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