An act, deed or conveyance, executed or performed by the husband without the assent of his wife, evidenced by her acknowledgment thereof, in the manner required by law to pass the contingent right of dower of a married woman, or a judgment or decree confessed by or recovered against him, or any laches, default, covin, or crime of a husband, does not prejudice the right of his wife to her dower or jointure, or preclude her from the recovery thereof.