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The Indivisibility of Land: A Microanalysis of the System of Inheritance in Nineteenth-Century Ontario

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  • Gagan, David P.

Abstract

Although they had recourse to both the perfectly partible and the perfectly impartible systems of inheritance, nineteenth-century Ontarion farmers commonly employed a unique English-Canadian variation on the perfectly impartible pattern. They devised their estates upon one, or occasionally two of their children, binding them to pay out of their inheritance or other resources the provisions for remaining survivors made in the will. The purpose of this system was to allow land rich and money poor agrarians to pass on their principal asset intact, and it reflects their belief that favorable man/land ratios were the essence of security and prosperity. At the same time, the system made the principal heir the instrument of the deceased parent's desire to treat all of his surviving dependents more or less equally in terms of the value of their inheritances. The system guaranteed that those who inherited land would acquire sufficient land to pursue time tested agricultural methods, but it promoted severe demographic and social dislocations.

Suggested Citation

  • Gagan, David P., 1976. "The Indivisibility of Land: A Microanalysis of the System of Inheritance in Nineteenth-Century Ontario," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 36(1), pages 126-141, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jechis:v:36:y:1976:i:01:p:126-141_09
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    Cited by:

    1. Baker, Matthew & Miceli, Thomas J., 2005. "Land inheritance rules: theory and cross-cultural analysis," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 56(1), pages 77-102, January.
    2. William Newell, 1986. "Inheritance on the Maturing Frontier: Butler County, Ohio, 1803-1865," NBER Chapters, in: Long-Term Factors in American Economic Growth, pages 261-304, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Américo Mendes, 2005. "Intergenerational transfers in rural households: A game theoretical approach," Labor and Demography 0503004, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Di Matteo, Livio, 2013. "Women, wealth and economic change: An assessment of the impact of women's property law in Wentworth County, Ontario, 1872–1927," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 285-307.

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