Women at Law in Early Colonial Maryland (Law and Society)

The settlers in early colonial Maryland had to form a new legal system while remaining in-sync with the contemporary laws of England. This book looks at how one group of settlers, women, negotiated their place in society via this new legal system. Drawing on the work of Lois Green Carr and Lorena Walsh, this book begins with an understanding that women had more rights in the earliest years of the colony than they did in mother England. They used this status, along with a changing legal system, to establish a place for themselves in the new society. How they did this is at the heart of this book. The Settlers In Early Colonial Maryland Had To Form A New Legal System While Remaining In-sync With The Contemporary Laws Of England. This Book Looks At How One Group Of Settlers, Women, Negotiated Their Place In Society Via This New Legal System. Drawing On The Work Of Lois Green Carr And Lorena Walsh, This Book Begins With An Understanding That Women Had More Rights In The Earliest Years Of The Colony Than They Did In Mother England. They Used This Status, Along With A Changing Legal System, To Establish A Place For Themselves In The New Society--p. [4] Of Cover. To Preserve Harmony Among Men - And Women? : Colonial Maryland Society, Women, And The Law -- They Say I Am A Witch : Early Maryland And Witchcraft -- Would You Have Me Confess That I Killed A Man? : Violent Crimes -- Nor A Woman Chaste : Sexual Offenses -- Maryland Women And Property. Monica C. Witkowski. Originally Presented As The Author's Thesis (doctoral--marquette University, 2010) Presented Under Title: Justice Without Partiality: Women And The Law In Colonial Maryland, 1648-1715. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 209-225) And Index. The settlers in early colonial Maryland had to form a new legal system while remaining in-sync with the contemporary laws of England. This book looks at how one group of settlers, women, negotiated their place in society via this new legal system. Drawing on the work of Lois Green Carr and Lorena Walsh, this book begins with an understanding that women had more rights in the earliest years of the colony than they did in mother England. They used this status, along with a changing legal system, to establish a place for themselves in the new society. How they did this is at the heart of this boo .. "The settlers in early colonial Maryland had to form a new legal system while remaining in-sync with the contemporary laws of England. This book looks at how one group of settlers, women, negotiated their place in society via this new legal system. Drawing on the work of Lois Green Carr and Lorena Walsh, this book begins with an understanding that women had more rights in the earliest years of the colony than they did in mother England. They used this status, along with a changing legal system, to establish a place for themselves in the new society"--Page 4 of cover "To preserve harmony among men" - and women? : colonial Maryland society, women, and the law "They say I am a witch" : early Maryland and witchcraft "Would you have me confess that I killed a man?" : violent crimes "Nor a woman chaste" : sexual offenses Maryland women and property Conclusion : a "race of convicts"?