11. Virginia Company Changed the Treatment and Laws Towards Widows
The right to own land was not the only significant change towards the treatment of married women. The treatment of women who lost their husbands was another difference between England and Jamestown. Compared to England, Jamestown was very generous when it came to widows. The laws for widows in England only required them to one-third of their deceased husband’s estate. The Virginia Company decided to become more generous and allowed widows to keep most of their husband’s estate after he passed away.
This benefit not only game women in Jamestown more rights but also gave them more piece of mind when deciding to immigrate. Because widows in England received so little of their deceased husband’s estate, they often had to remarry quickly and not because they wanted to, it was usually due to economic pressure. In Jamestown, widows were typically left with enough of their husband’s estate that they did not have to remarry quickly much less at all if they did not desire. Actually, many widowed women were allowed to stay single.