How could a woman own property in Colonial North Carolina? I have a female ancestor in Edgecombe County that obtained a grant in the Granville District in 1762. There is no evidence of a husband. My understanding is that if a woman was widowed or single she could own land, and if married had to apply for a special document, as a "feme sole trader." But wouldn't she have had to prove her status one way or the other to the Granville agents in the first place, and might there not be a record thereof? I'm thinking that such a record, if available, would--if she was a widow or married--have the name of her husband. In this case she sells the land to her sons in 1784, and lives until at least 1794. Grateful for any help. Thanks, John Ottinger