Lucy Ann "Luca" Decker Seely Young was born 17 May 1822 in Phelps, Ontario County, New York, United States to Isaac Decker (1799-1873) and Harriet Page Wheeler (1803-1871) and died 24 January 1890 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, United States of unspecified causes. She married William Seely (1816-1851) 6 February 1836 in Portage County, Ohio, United States. She married Brigham Young (1801-1877) 14 June 1842 in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, United States.
Biography
Lucy Ann Decker was the first plural wife of Brigham Young (1801-1877). Lucy embraced the Gospel when quite young, fully believing the message Joseph Smith brought and was baptized. She moved to Nauvoo, Illinois where she was married to Brigham Young.
Her younger sister, Clarissa "Clara" Decker, became Brigham's 4th polygamous wife two years later, at age 16, and crossed the plains with him and her mother, Harriet Page Wheeler (1803-1871), who was married to Brigham's younger brother, Lorenzo Dow Young (1807-1895), also in the vanguard company. Her statue is part of the "This is the Place" monument.
The Lion House
The Lion House in Salt Lake City
Lucy D. Young was of fair complexion and of medium height. She was a kind and loving mother, a devoted wife, of a charitable disposition and true in every particular to her religion. She came to Salt Lake City with the rest of her husband's family in 1848. Upon completion of the Lion House, Lucy and her children were the primary occupants of Beehive House.
She was well organized and efficiently ran The Lion House.
Lucy was always diligent, energetic and attentive to every duty reposed upon her. She was beloved by all who knew her.
Marriage & Family
Lucy Ann Decker was 20 when she became Brigham's first polygamous wife. She was previously married to and divorced from William Seeley, who was alcoholic and abusive. She always felt her polygamous relationship with Brigham was superior to her monogamous relationship with William.
1st Marriage: William Seely
- Isaac Joseph Seely (1837-1902) - champion wrestler and bodyguard
- Harriet Christina Seely (1839-1899)
- William Seely (1841-1841)
2nd Marriage: Brigham Young
- Brigham Heber Young (1845-1928) - real estate and insurance agent - he married the daughter of William Clayton (1814-1879), english convert, Utah pioneer and songwriter famous for the popular LDS hymn, Come, Come, Ye Saints.
- Fanny Decker Young (1849-1892)
- Ernest Irving Young (1851-1879)
- Arta D'Christa Young (1855-1916) - md daughter of LDS Apostle Erastus Fairbanks Snow (1818-1888).
- Feramorz Little Young (1858-1881) - joined US Naval Academy. He died of typhoid fever on board ship returning from his mission to Mexico with Apostle Moses Thatcher and was buried at sea off the coast of Florida.
- Clarissa Hamilton Young (1860-)
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Isaac Joseph Seely (1837-1902) | |||
| Harriet Christina Seely (1839-1899) | |||
| William Seely (1841-1841) | |||
Siblings
Vital Records
Salt Lake Gravestone
- Location : Mormon Pioneer Memorial
References
- The Lion House - Wikipedia
- Lucy Ann Decker at Find A Grave #19381664
Residences