a p p e ndix b
Northwest Ordinance (1787)
An ordinance for the Government of the Territory of the United States,
north-west of the River Ohio be it ordained by the United States in Congress assembled, That the said territory, for the purposes of temporary
government, be one district; subject, however, to be divided into two districts, as future circumstances may in the opinion of Congress, make it
expedient.
Be it ordained by the authority aforesaid, That the estates, both of resident and non-resident proprietors in the said territory, dying intestate,
shall descend to, and be distributed among their children, and the descendants of a deceased child in equal parts; the descendants of a deceased child or grandchild, to take the share of their deceased parent in
equal parts among them: And where there shall be no children or descendants, then in equal parts to the next of kin, in equal degree; and among
collaterals, the children of a deceased brother or sister of the intestate,
shall have in equal parts among them, their deceased parents’ share; and
there shall in no case be a distinction between kindred of the whole and
half blood; saving in all cases to the widow of the intestate, her third part
of the real estate for life, and one third part of the personal estate; and this
law relative to descents and dower, shall remain in full force until altered
by the legislature of the district.—And until the governor and judges
shall adopt laws as herein after mentioned, estates in the said territory
may be devised or bequeathed by wills in writing, signed and sealed by
him or her, in whom the estate may be (being of full age) and attested by
three witnesses;—and real estates may be conveyed by lease and release,
or bargain and sale, signed, sealed, and delivered by the person being of
full age, in whom the estate may be, and attested by two witnesses, pro-
454