Item Detail
-
Durfee, Jane Isabella Barker
-
1839-1927
-
MSS SC 582
-
Biography
-
Jane Isabella Barker Durfee was born on May 17, 1839 in Watertown, New York to Fredrick Barker and Ann Blygh Barker. Her family immigrated to the United States from Shelfinger, Norfolk, England on the warship New Brunswick. They landed at Station Island on June 23, 1830 and first settled in Salvagvill, Jefferson County, New York. Jane's family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the winter of 1844 and traveled to Nauvoo in 1846 to tour the Nauvoo Temple. In 1849, they moved to Council Bluffs in preparation for their trek to Utah. They traveled in the company led by Captain David Moor who was under Captain Enoch Reese, who was under the command of Captain Allen Taylor, and arrived in Salt Lake City on October 20, 1849. Jane married Henry Dennison Durfee in Ogden, Utah on March 26, 1857. Shortly after their marriage, they had to leave the Salt Lake area because of the arrival of Johnston's Army, and stayed in Payson until they were allowed to return. Jane and Henry became the parents of eleven children: Henry Dennison, Ann, George Leonard, Lorenzo, Marion, William Wallace, Alice Jane, James Madison, Steven, Sarah Ellen, and Ida. Jane and Henry moved their family to various locations including Ogden, Providence, Conner Springs, and Beaverdam. In 1880 they settled in Almo, Idaho. Henry died on April 15, 1916 in Almo and Jane followed on June 1, 1927.
-
This collection includes a letter, a biography of Jane, a partial autobiography, and a newspaper clipping. The letter in the collection was written by Marilyn Elison to BYU Librarian LeGrand L. Baker in response to his request for information on Jane's family. Elison outlines the contents of the collection which she enclosed with the letter and gives names of other individuals who could provide more information. Jane's biography is a two-page typewritten document authored by her daughter, Sarah Taylor. This very brief biography chronicles some major events in Jane's life such as her marriage, moves that she made with her family, and her service in the Almo Relief Society. The biography mentions that Jane was very shy and disliked public speaking. However, she spoke in tongues during church meetings on several occasions. Jane's autobiography is a photocopy of a handwritten document written on family history sheets. Most of the copy is illegible, but Jane seems to be speaking of her experiences crossing the plains. The newspaper article in the collection is a photocopy from the Deseret Evening News April 29, 1916. The copy is faded and completely illegible.
-
-