Most American men shared John Adams's reluctance to grant women the vote. No state explicitly allowed women to vote, and only New Jersey did so implicitly. The unique situation in New Jersey lasted until 1807, when the law was changed to exclude women.
Questions to Consider
Who did the law allow to vote?
Where does the law refer to women?
Which women would be allowed to vote under this law?
11. And be it further Enacted, That all free Inhabitants of this State of full Age, and who are worth Fifty Pounds Proclamation Money clear Estate in the same, and have resided within the County in which they claim a Vote, for twelve Months immediately preceding the Election, shall be entitled to vote for all public Officers which shall be elected by Virtue of this Act; and no Person shall be entitled to vote in any other Township or Precinct that that in which he or she doth actually reside at the Time of the Election; and no Person who shall be convicted of Treason against this State or the United States, or any of them, shall be entitled to vote at any such Election.
Source: New Jersey Women's History, "Acts of the 15th New Jersey General Assembly, November 18, 1790," 670.
Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries. http://www.scc.rutgers.edu/njwomenshistory/index.htm.
