Wife No. 19

The true story behind David Ebershoff’s bestseller “The 19th Wife”!


At the age of 24, Ann Eliza Webb was forced into marriage with Brigham Young, her spiritual leader and the 67-year-old president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By her own count, she was his 19th wife. Less than five years later, she filed for divorce on the grounds of neglect, cruel treatment, and desertion – and shocked the tight-knit Mormon community by winning the case. Excommunicated from the church, she traveled the country, speaking out against polygamy and Mormonism, and becoming an early advocate for women’s rights in 19th century America. In this autobiography, dedicated to the Mormon Wives of Utah, she published a devastating exposé of the privation, cruelty and violence that were a constant part of their lives. Her story was an immediate best-seller, and remains a gripping read to this day. This ebook edition includes an active table of contents, reflowable text, and 150 illustrations of the people, places and events in Ann Eliza Young’s life.


Table of Contents:

 • I. The Days Of My Childhood.

 • II. Founding The New Religion.

 • III. The “Revelation On Celestial Marriage.”

 • IV. After Joseph’s Death.

 • V. My Father’s Plural Wife.

 • VI. Forsaking Dear Zion.

 • VII. Our Welcome To “Zion.”

 • VIII. Troubles Under The New System.

 • IX. The Hardships And Perils Of Life In A New Country.

 • X. The Utah “Reformation.”

 • XI. “Divine Emigration.”

 • XII. Brigham’s Hand-Cart Scheme, Continued.

 • XIII. The Mountain Meadows’ Massacre.

 • XIV. Betrayed And Murdered.

 • XV. The Blood-Atonement.

 • XVI. Frightful Deeds Of Blood.

 • XVII. Troubles In Our Own Family.

 • XVIII. Increase Of Polygamy.

 • XIX. The Mysteries Of Polygamy.

 • XX. Brigham Builds Wagons By “Inspiration.”

 • XXI. Going Through The “Endowment-House.”

 • XXII. We Carry On The Endowment Drama.

 • XXIII. The Prophet Makes Love To Me.

 • XXIV. My First Marriage.

 • XXV. Early Married Life.

 • XXVI. After My Divorce.

 • XXVII. A Walk With The Prophet.

 • XXVIII. How Brigham Young Forced Me To Marry Him.

 • XXIX. My Marriage With Brigham Young.

 • XXX. The Prophet’s Family Circle.

 • XXXI. The Wives Of The Prophet.

 • XXXII. The Prophet’s Favorite Wife.

 • XXXIII. The Dead Wives Of The Prophet.

 • XXXIV. The Prophet At Home.

 • XXXV. Brigham As A Farmer.

 • XXXVI. Breaking The Yoke.

 • XXXVII. The Divorce Suit.

 • XXXVIII. My Escape From Salt Lake City.

 • XXXIX. Church Government.

 • XL. The Condition Of Mormon Women.

 • XLI. My Return To Utah.