What is the legal definition of marriage? “In the original statutes of marriage in the US, it was allowed between a husband and any number of wives. Interracial marriage was forbidden. Divorce was forbidden in almost all circumstances. Contraception was forbidden between married couples. The wife automatically took the surname of the husband. Ownership of property belonging to a woman was automatically transferred to her husband. Married women were forbidden to work in most, if not all occupations.”