April 1848 New York State passed the New York Married Woman’s Property Rights Act. Before married women’s property acts were passed, upon marriage a woman lost any right to control property that was hers prior to the marriage or have the rights to acquire any property during marriage. A married woman could not make contracts, keep or control her own wages or any rents, transfer property, sell property or bring any lawsuit. An act for the more effectual protection of the property of married women: ยง1. The real property of any female who may hereafter marry, and which she...
