Item Detail
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Smith, Jane Walker
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1832-1912
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MSS SC 2631
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Autobiography
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Jane Walker Smith was born on 2 August 1832 in Peacham, Vermont. She was the fourth youngest of 10 children born to John Walker and Lydia Holmes Walker, the others being William Holmes, Lorin, Catherine, Lucy, Edwin, Henry, Lydia, John, and Mary Electa.
When Jane was young, her mother passed away from Ague and fever, while the family was camped in the woods, making their way to Nauvoo, Illinois. Her father (who had been involved in the events at Hauns Mill) was good to them, but he could not take care of them all on his own, especially when he was called to serve a mission. Because they were close friends with the prophet Joseph Smith and his family, they arranged so that Joseph would take the four eldest children, and Jane and the rest spent a good deal of time at his mansion in Nauvoo.
A year after her father left on his mission, Jane fell deathly ill. She could not move or speak, she was so weak. The prophet sent her brother, William, and her sister, Lucy, to attend to her. As she was too weak to travel, Joseph Smith then sent a pair of Elders to come and baptize her for her health. They lowered her into the water with a sheet, and when she came up, she felt healed and strong. That instance was a great testimony builder for Jane.
Jane moved to Utah with the Heber C. Kimball Company in 1848. About 4 years later, on 14 February 1852 in Salt Lake City, Utah, she married Lot Smith, and together they had 8 children, Rhoda Jane, William Lot, Jedediah Heber, Emily Abigail, Annetta, Alice Gertrude, Margaret Agnes, and Lucy Effie.
Jane and her family soon moved to Farmington, Utah, where she spent the rest of her days. She died there on 23 March 1912. -
This manuscript is 2 pages of photocopied, typescript work entitled, A Narrative of Jane W. Smith. It was recorded by Alice Pierce, a historian of the Aurella S. Rogers Camp, and stated as a daughter of Janes.
The sketch covers Janes experiences in Nauvoo, Illinois, where her family moved from Vermont when they joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It recounts the story of how her father went to help the persecuted saints at Hauns Mill, and barely escaped with his life thanks to the protection of the Lord. Jane and her family moved with their company as they were pursued by a mob, and unfortunately no one was adequately prepared for how inclement the weather was. Janes mother died on the trek, after the whole family fell ill with Ague and fever. Luckily, the prophet Joseph Smith knew the family well, and took the 4 eldest children under his wing. Later, Janes sister, Lucy, was married to him.