Brigham Young's Youngest Wife: The Shocking Secret That Will Make You Question Everything
What if everything you thought you knew about Brigham Young's marriages was wrong? The controversial Mormon leader, known for his role in the westward expansion of the Latter-day Saints and his practice of polygamy, has been the subject of historical debate for generations. Among the most shocking revelations is the possibility that Young may have married a girl as young as 13, creating a staggering 29-year age gap. This article explores the complex life of Ann Eliza Young, Brigham Young's 19th (or possibly 27th) wife, and the secrets that continue to challenge our understanding of Mormon history.
Biography of Ann Eliza Young
Ann Eliza Young was born Ann Eliza Webb on September 13, 1844, in Nauvoo, Illinois. She grew up in a Mormon family and was well-educated for her time. Her life would take dramatic turns that would make her one of the most controversial and influential women in 19th-century America.
Full Name: Ann Eliza Webb Young Dee Spencer
Birth Date: September 13, 1844
Birth Place: Nauvoo, Illinois
Death Date: December 6, 1917
Known For: Author, Women's Rights Advocate, Brigham Young's 19th Wife
Notable Work: "Wife No. 19" (1875)
Cause of Advocacy: Opposition to polygamy and women's rights
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The Marriage That Changed Everything
The story of Ann Eliza Young's marriage to Brigham Young is both fascinating and controversial. According to historical records, Ann Eliza and Brigham Young were married on April 7, 1869. This union would later become the catalyst for one of the most public battles against polygamy in American history.
Though Brigham's family would later claim that the troublesome Ann Eliza was the one leading him on, the fact remains that they agreed to wed and were sealed on April 7, 1868. The age difference between them was significant - approximately 27 years - with Brigham being the much older partner in the relationship.
Their marriage was part of Brigham Young's complex marital history, which has been the subject of much debate among historians. Sources have varied on the number of Young's wives due to differences in what observers have considered to be a wife. Some accounts suggest he had as many as 56 wives throughout his lifetime, though the exact number remains disputed.
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The Divorce That Shocked the Nation
In 1875, Ann Eliza Young wrote a bestselling and controversial memoir, Wife No. 19, which detailed her experiences as a plural wife and her subsequent divorce from Brigham Young. This book not only exposed the inner workings of polygamous marriages but also set the stage for Ann Eliza's transformation into a national figure.
The veracity of Ann Eliza's claims are debatable, but there's no doubt her life was dramatic before, during, and after her marriage to Brigham Young. What makes her story particularly compelling is that she didn't just leave her marriage quietly - she sued Brigham Young for divorce and alimony, a scandalous move for the time.
When prophet Brigham Young's 19th wife, Ann Eliza, divorced him, wrote an expose about plural marriage and set out on a lecture tour, Mormon polygamy grabbed the national spotlight in 1875. Her decision to go public with her experiences and to actively campaign against polygamy made her both a hero to some and a villain to others.
The Shocking Secret of Brigham Young's Youngest Wife
More recently, confusion over the birthdate of Brigham's wife Elizabeth Fairchild, or maybe outright manipulation of the dates, could indicate that Brigham Young actually had a wife who was only 13 years old and there was a 29-year age gap. This revelation, if true, would dramatically alter our understanding of Young's marital practices and raise serious ethical questions about the age of consent and the power dynamics in polygamous marriages.
Until now she is thought to be the youngest wife of Brigham Young's 56 wives. The possibility that Young married a 13-year-old girl challenges the narratives often presented by Mormon historians and raises uncomfortable questions about the historical practice of polygamy within the Latter-day Saint movement.
We encourage all amateur historians and armchair genealogists to follow the records like we did. The complexity of Brigham Young's marital history requires careful examination of multiple sources, as records from the 19th century are often incomplete or contradictory.
The 19th Wife: Fact or Fiction?
The true story behind David Ebershoff's bestseller The 19th Wife draws heavily from the life of Ann Eliza Young and the broader context of Mormon polygamy. While Ebershoff's novel is a work of fiction, it is grounded in historical research and brings renewed attention to the complexities of plural marriage in 19th-century Utah.
Stories Brigham Young's 19th wife have captured public imagination for over a century. Ann Eliza's life represents a unique intersection of religious controversy, women's rights, and American social history. Her transformation from a plural wife to an outspoken critic of the practice she once participated in demonstrates the personal and ideological journeys that shaped many aspects of American religious and social reform movements.
Ann Eliza's Crusade for Women's Rights
She spoke out against the suppression of women and was an advocate for women's rights during the 19th century. After her divorce and the publication of her memoir, Ann Eliza embarked on a national lecture tour, speaking out against polygamy and advocating for women's rights. Her activism placed her at the forefront of both the anti-polygamy movement and the broader women's rights movement of her era.
Ann Eliza's advocacy was particularly significant because she spoke from personal experience. As someone who had lived within the polygamous system, her criticisms carried weight and credibility. She argued that polygamy was not only morally wrong but also detrimental to women's autonomy, education, and economic independence.
Her work as a women's rights crusader continued long after her divorce from Brigham Young. She became involved in various reform movements and continued to write and speak about the need for women's equality and the abolition of polygamous practices.
The Legacy of Controversy
The controversy surrounding Ann Eliza Young and Brigham Young's marital practices continues to generate debate among historians, religious scholars, and the public. The question of how many wives Brigham Young actually had, the ages of his wives at the time of marriage, and the nature of these relationships remains a subject of historical investigation.
Here are 6 fascinating, controversial facts about the author, women's rights crusader, and Brigham Young's 19th (or 27th) wife, Ann Eliza Young:
- She was married to Brigham Young for only four years before divorcing him
- Her memoir Wife No. 19 became an instant bestseller and remains in print today
- She was excommunicated from the LDS Church after her divorce and public criticism
- She married two more times after Brigham Young, though neither marriage lasted
- She continued her activism for women's rights until late in her life
- Her exact burial location remains unknown, adding to the mystery surrounding her life
Conclusion: Questioning Historical Narratives
The story of Brigham Young's youngest wife and Ann Eliza Young's courageous stand against polygamy reminds us that history is often more complex and nuanced than we initially assume. The shocking possibility that Brigham Young may have married a 13-year-old girl with a 29-year age gap forces us to confront uncomfortable aspects of religious and cultural practices from the past.
Ann Eliza Young's transformation from a plural wife to one of the most vocal critics of polygamy in American history demonstrates the power of personal experience to drive social change. Her legacy as both a controversial figure and a pioneer in women's rights advocacy continues to resonate today.
As we examine these historical controversies, we must approach them with both critical thinking and historical context. The practice of polygamy, the age of consent in the 19th century, and the power dynamics within religious communities all require careful consideration when evaluating historical figures and events.
The secrets and controversies surrounding Brigham Young's marriages, particularly the possibility of his youngest wife being only 13 years old, remind us that history is rarely black and white. By continuing to investigate, question, and learn from these complex stories, we gain a deeper understanding of how religious practices, social norms, and individual rights have evolved over time.
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