One of the major debates in the Indiana Constitutional Convention regarded property rights for women. At the time of the Convention, women were entitled to one-third of the husband’s estate under the common-law doctrine of “dower.” Delegate Robert Owen sought to increase the amount to two-thirds, abrogating “dower” and expanding it to what is called “taking against the will.” The provision was not included in the Indiana Constitution, but did provide the impetus for the Legislature to pass the same provision statutorily two years later in 1853. The widow’s right to elect to take two-thirds of her husband’s estate “against the will” survives in the Indiana Code to this day.
There was no provision for women’s suffrage in the Indiana Constitution. However, there was a Constitutional provision that allowed resident aliens who had resided in the United States for one year and in Indiana for six months, and had declared an “intent” to become citizens of the United States, the right to vote in state and local elections. Not many people know about that provision.
Son of the utopian socialist of the same name, the founder of New Harmony. The younger Owen served in Congress as a Democrat and was Minister to Naples under Pierce.
I wonder how many States had similar provisions in the mid-19th Century?
You're right, I have never heard of that provision.