1. Owning property allowed women in certain colonies to exhibit independence and autonomy within their families. What were the different routes women took to possess property? Make sure you distinguish between a dower and a dowry, English common law from other cultures (i.e. Dutch), and in addition, explain how different life was for women with property and women of the non-property holding class (i.e. slaves, indentured women, free working-class women).

Question

1. Owning property allowed women in certain colonies to exhibit independence and autonomy within their families.  What were the different routes women took to possess property?  Make sure you distinguish between a dower and a dowry, English common law from other cultures (i.e. Dutch), and in addition, explain how different life was for women with property and women of the non-property holding class (i.e. slaves, indentured women, free working-class women).