The law allowed married women to own and control property in their own right; a wife got the right to own, buy and sell her own property. Married women were also able to hold stock in their own names after the Act was introducted. The Act only applied in England, Wales and Ireland, but did not extend to Scotland.
Before, married women were unable to hold or buy property, which emphasised her subordination to her her husband, father or brother. Single or widowed women were allowed to hold property.