Dower by the common law
Black's Law Dictionary · Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
Black's Law Dictionary
The ordinary kind of dower in English and American law, consisting of a life interest in one-third of the lands or which the husband was seised in fee at any time during the coverture.
Litt § 36; 2 Bl. Comm. 132; 2 Steph. Comm. 302 ; 4 Kent, Comm. 35.