The transformation of colonial property : a study of the law of dower in New South Wales, 1836 to 1863

Relationship between women, property and the law in nineteenth century New South Wales - women lost all control over their property in the early nineteenth century, but important legislation enacted in 1893 - the Married Women's Property Act - put wives on an equal footing with their husbands in regard to property - earlier legislation, the Dower Act of 1836, meant that a wife's right of dower could be circumvented at her husband's discretion.