When a widow shall recover her dower in any lands alienated by the heir of her husband, she shall be entitled to recover of such heir, in an action on the case, her damages for withholding such dower, from the time of the death of her husband to the time of the alienation by the heir not exceeding 6 years in the whole; and the amount which she shall be entitled to recover from such heir, shall be deducted from the amount she would otherwise be entitled to recover from such grantee, and any amount recovered as damages, from such grantee, shall be deducted from the sum she would otherwise be entitled to recover from such heir.
MCL 558.27