Jane Christton was the daughter of William Christton and his wife, Mary Haggatt (or Haggarth) Brown. She was born March 18, 1812 at Deptford, County of Kent, England, and was the third child in a family of six. Her father was from Scotland and her mother was born at Berwick on Tweed, Northumberland County, England, on the banks of the River Tweedy - separating Scotland from England.

Jane was a winsome lass, and after she came to America (Grandfather could span her waist) she weighed 101 - a witches weight. Her dainty form and features won the heart of an English lad from Chester, who settled in Woolwich, Kent, England, with his family. Thomas Frederick Fisher at 23 years was an excellent and artistic carpenter, employed at the Government Dock Yards at Woolwich. This young couple were married January 25, 1834 at Camberwell, England, at St. Giles Parish, County of Surrey. Of this marriage seven children were born; one son was stillborn.

In 1841 "President" Lorenzo Snow carried the Gospel to Great Britain - and grandmother was quick to see its beauty and by the strength it gave her - she and her family were baptized into the L.D.S. Church. There was much talk of the wonders to be found in America, and to be near the headquarters of the church they had joined. The family decided to embark for the Land of Zion and the City of Salt Lake.

On April 8, 1854 the good ship "Marshfield Bath" (docked at Liverpool) was towed down the River Mercy and the big sailing vessel was on its way to America, with several hundred Saints. The seas were rough and the food and water poor - scarcely any privacy and little sanitation. After six weeks on the voyage with its sorrows and joys, and many discomforts, births, marriages, and deaths, this courageous band of Pioneers, most of whom had been seasick, landed at New Orleans, going from there, by boat, to St. Louis (where there was a stake of Zion), they were outfitted for that long overland journey - over windswept prairies - on unknown land and filled at times with savages.

Grandmother had left a comfortable home furnished with the treasures of many years. Of course all the contents could not be brought, but Grandfather being a carpenter, Jane Christton insisted he pack and crate many things dear to her, she not knowing many would be left along the way. Little did they dream of the tragedy that awaited them. The youngest child, nearly eight yours old, their golden-haired idol, Georgia, was killed near Fort Laramie and was buried on Le Bonte Creek. The wagon train was traveling late and about 10 p.m. a wheel went into a depression. The lurching wagon threw her from her bed and as she struck the ground the hind wheel crushed her head. The wagon train stopped and the next day she was laid to rest on the Plains. Grandfather had gone on ahead to purchase an extra team and was not present when the accident happened. The dainty little girl had danced on shipboard for the captain in a little white Swiss organdy dress made by her mother's careful hands. The dress is still beautiful and well-preserved. The sorrowing family and friends said a prayer for their loved one and the company moved on. There were yet many miles to go and winter was soon coming.

The tired Emigrant train reached Salt Lake City, Utah in September 1854, having been six months on the way. The family went directly to Bountiful. After a winter of hardships, a new home was built which is still lived in. A busy life softened the sorrows, but Jane Christton and her family could never forget the little girl, 2-1/2 years old, she had left in an English church yard and her little girl, her baby, that slept on the plains.

Jane Christton was a splendid, God-fearing woman, a true helpmate to her husband, a wonderful mother, a friend in need and a good neighbor. She was loved by young and old, and was a faithful Saint. She lived 15 years after her husband died. She died January 17, 1902, at the home of a grandson and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Irvin F. Fisher, who lovingly cared for her in her last days. At her funeral, life-long friends, Elder B. H. Roberts and Bishop Stoker spoke of her many good qualities and faithfulness. Six grandsons acted as pall bearers, and she was laid to rest in the family plot. She had reached the age of 90 years. Her sons and husband had filled many places of honor as legislators, attorneys, mayor, county commissioners, assessors and collectors, Justice of the Peace, and bishops of the L.D.S. Church - merchants.

Her daughter Mary Ann, or Minnie as she is called, the only daughter to reach Utah, married Erastus Egan, Pony Express rider. She had borne 14 children to this marriage, and died December 26, 1888, a few years before her mother passed away.

Jane Christton Fisher - or "Granny" as she was lovingly called by her many descendants - still lives in their memory. How we loved to visit her in her home, and we were always happy when she came to our home "for her to visit her dear son Bill," as she called my father. She told us stories, taught us songs, and taught us to mend and sew. None knew her, but to love her; none named her but to praise. God bless her memory.