Constance Bowen 

Mary Jane Jones was born 23 Dec 1834 in Pontayeats, Carmarthonshire, South Wales.  She was the daughter of John Jones and Ja Jane Trehorne.  She left Wales in Feb 1849 with her family when she was 14 years old.  When they arrived in the United States, there was much Cholera.  It raged from New Orleans to Council Bluffs, Iowa, taking a very heavy death toll.  Her father died at Council Bluffs, IA.  They were with a group of people, who lost three children in one night.  They were Thomas and Sarah (?ermy.)  Their grief was so unbearable but, with their faith in the Lord and comfort given them by an angel of mercy, Jane Trehorne (Mary’s mother) they were able to pull through this terrible ordeal. 

At 14 years of age, Mary Jane crossed the plains.  On their way, her mother met a man by the name of Edward Ashton, who later became her husband and they were married on (?) February, 1854 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He was a cobbler and they settled in a colony west of the river Jordan, but later moved to the 15th ward in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

From all indications, Mary Jane and her future husband, John D. Jones, came in the same company across the plains.  They both arrived in Utah in October 1849.  Her future husband also worked for (illegible) and lived west of the Jordan River. 

Mary Jane had sisters that came west, but did not like it here, so they went back to Council Bluffs, IA where they married and raised their families. 

Leon Evans visited with these people when he was on a mission back there.  I don’t believe they are LDS.  Mary Jane’s mother had a sister by the name of Sage, who married Thomas Jones.  They had a son named Cumin.  These people were called to Moab and Blanding, by the Church to settle there. 

Mary Jane Jones and John D. Jones were married in May 1854 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, UT.  They had ten children-six girls and 4 boys.  Their names are Mary Jane, Elizabeth, John Morris, Sarah Ann, David W. Morris, Henry, Brigham D, Rosana, Margaret Ellen and Charolette. 

Mary Jane had a very pleasant personality.  Her grandchildren always like to go and visit her.  She would have them pick up chips for her to start her fire, so she could make her a cup of tea as a typical Welshman. 

She used to keep her ax behind the door in case she had a prowler.  She and my grandmother Gwenford used to talk in Welsh.  Of course none of the children could understand what they were saying. 

She lived in Henderson Creek the first part of her married life, then they built her a home in Cherry Creek, across from where Laverne and Margaret Jones lived.  Brig Jon now has this home in his yard.  In those two homes she raised her family.  In her later years she went blind and lived with her children.  She died at the age of 83 in 1917.