Carol, I think that's what happened to one of my ggg grandmothers in NC. She had my gg grandfather in 1807. As I cannot find a marriage record, though, I have to consider the fact that HE was free as a bird to do whatever he wanted. He left in 1808 to go points north and west. She subsequently married (1811). Apparently that didn't work out, and she ended up living with a younger son and family, who took care of her until she died. The younger son's surname is the same as her maiden name. While my gg grandfather took the surname of his father. And I have letters proving that his father was his father. Very strange.