That was back in the days when a woman not only took on her husband's name but his citizenship as well.
No, that is not quite true. We were not a nation until July 4, 1776 united for Independence. Up till then we were still British Colonies paying British taxes and following British parlamentary law. Though, the colonies were not getting the representation in Parlament as they should have with the taxes and had a lazy King who was supposed to represent them.