Comments on: Eminent Women: Mary Lockwood Kemp and Lady Sydney Morgan

By: kevinf

kevinf — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 05:23:37 +0000

I haven’t kept up with all of the Eminent Women posts, but this, like the others I have read, are fascinating. Thanks for sharing these.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 20:08:28 +0000

There’s an enormous file of divorces granted by Brigham Young, but unfortunately it’s restricted. (Or “limited access” as they’re calling it now.) As a plural wife, Mary would have had no trouble having a divorce granted for any reason, or none at all. A claim that Ross was leaving the Church would have made it all the easier.

By: Amy T

Amy T — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 20:02:39 +0000

Not to be flippant, Mark B., but there’s an awful lot that’s not mentioned here. : )

Mary’s daughter said that Mary called her marriage to William Kemp her “legal marriage.” Legally, she didn’t need a divorce from Mr Ross, but I assume she would have needed a church divorce. Where are those records kept? Did that have to be approved by Brigham Young or someone else? The book mentions Mary going to the temple president for her divorce from Mr Lundberg. That would have been Wilford Woodruff at the time.

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:24:44 +0000

Another terrific entry in this series! Thanks, Amy.

I wonder–you don’t mention a divorce from David Ross. Was there one, or did that marriage just sort of fade away?