Sarah Jane Rogers Burgess (1863-1926)
Sarah Jane Rogers Burgess is my great grandmother
Me - My father - Grandfather Milton Burgess - Great Grandmother Sarah Jane Rogers Burgess
Sarah Jane was born on 3 August 1863 in St. George, Utah to David and Mary Ann Mayer Rogers. Sarah Jane was the first baby born in St. George after the settlers moved onto their lots.Sarah Jane (known as Jane) grew up in the early days of St. George. Life was not easy in the early days of the pioneer town called Dixie. It was a dry, hot desert. Water and food were scarce. Jane's father was a carpenter and worked on the tabernacle and temple which helped keep their family fed.
Jane had two brother and six sisters. Her sister, Emma passed away before her third birthday.
Jane and her sister, Erazma married two of the Burgess brothers from Pine Valley. Jane married Abram William Burgess in the St. George Temple on 30 December 1880.
Jane and Abram helped in the first pioneering effort in Mesquite Nevada. Because of flooding this project was abandoned. They lived several places before settling in St. George about 1890 - Pine Valley, Mountain Meadows and at Foster's Ranch (north of the present town of Veyo).
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| Back of the Burgess home |
Abe and Jane's last five children were born after they moved to their home in St. George. Jane and Abram sold their interests in the north part of the county to buy their home on 400 West and Tabernacle. The move in part was to offer better education opportunities for their children.
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| Sarah Jane Burgess - Mary Elizabeth Empey Julia Ann Hardy - Erazma Mayer Burgess |
Here is a nice picture of Sarah Jane Rogers Burgess and three of her sisters. Jane is on the back left.
Jane was a wonderful mother and hard worker. Her children loved her. She was a great cook and seamstress - making new clothes and remaking old ones. She taught them to have faith in God and be honest, obedient and to love one another. Jane enjoyed her children and they remember their birthday parties and sharing their dating lives with her. She loved growing flowers and her son sent home different varieties from his mission in Florida for Jane to try to grow.
Sadly Sarah Jane Burgess lost her life in an auto accident when she was 63 years old. This was one of her only trips and several of her family members were traveling with her. Here is the report of the accident and her funeral in the Washington County News...
FATAL AUTO ACCIDENT; MRS. BURGESS KILLED
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Mrs. A.W. Burgess of this city was almost instantly killed last Friday, June 18, where the car in which she was riding, driven by her son-in-law, Alvin Jones, went off the grade and turned over in trying to avoid hitting a truck loaded with furniture, 22 miles north of Paragonah.The car and the truck were both going in the same direction and the lighter car wished to pass the truck which was going slowly. It signaled but Mr. Burgess says he believes the truck driver (who had the middle of the road) did not hear the signal, for instead of giving more room it crowded over toward the small car just as it was passing. To avoid being hit, Jones moved his car further to the side, up the side slope, causing it to turn over Mrs. Burgess went through the side window, the car falling on her. Her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Vivian Milne, were following behind in another car, rushed to the spot and Mrs. Milne held her mother's head on her lap until she breathed her last. She lived but a few minutes and was conscious though she could not speak. The party was en route home from Salt Lake when the accident occurred.
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--Sarah Jane Burgess's daughter wrote a lovely tribute letter to her mother--
A letter to her long-departed mother,
Sarah Jane Rogers Burgess
by Lucille Burgess Tegan
Written on Mother's Day, May 8, 1983
Dear Mother,
I look across the years and see myself playing at your feet. I'm almost like a little shadow that follows you everywhere.
My whole world centers around you. Even though you've raised eleven other babies, you make me feel warm and special and wanted.
I still remember on one occasion our visit to the family farm -- I wasn't much more than a baby then -- a terrible lightning and thunderstorm descended down upon us. The rain, driven by the wind, and the roar of the elements was frightening. You reached down and gathered me in your arms and wrapped me in a large gray shawl.
After that, nothing else mattered, I was safe and protected and loved, and I was happy.
You may think it strange I would remember this after all these years. Still, you can see right from the beginning, what an influence you had upon all our lives.
You taught us to have faith in God, to be honest, and obedient and to love one another.
For we could see in you, your love for the Lord; you were grateful for His blessings. We knew of your sacrifices for us, even though we took many things for granted.
The hours and days you spent sewing, always sewing, making new things, making over old things. The thousand and one tasks.
Even you patience with me when I let the mother cat in the house and she had her babies on top of your bed.
The birthday parties. The loaves and loaves of delicious bread and especially those wonderful buttermilk biscuits.
We all knew of our love for beautiful flowers, and when we coaxed you to have your picture taken, you chose to stand by the honeysuckle vine, because of the sweet fragrance of the blossoms.
I well remember some of my sister's courtship days. How you lived along with them, their joys and sorrows. Using each teaching moment to guide and help them; and you did just that, Mother dear, you can be proud of them.
I've wished many times you could have been with us, even just for a few more years.
I can see you standing so straight and tall with your lovely black hair so neatly arranged, just a beautiful woman among women.
Do you remember, Mother, the night before you left on your only vacation trip how you called me late that night on the phone. Wishing we could be together and share the joy of that happy vacation. How little did we know it was our farewell to each other.
Ah, what would we do without sweet memories that reflect the treasures of the heart.
Many times since your leaving I've prayed to God and asked Him to help me pattern my life from the beautiful example you set for us.
Your gifts to me, and they are many, I will always cherish.
Thank you, Mother.
P.S. Somewhere I read:
A Mother is the guardian angel for the family,
The queen, the tender hand of love.
A Mother is the best friend anyone ever has.
A Mother is love.
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Related posts:
Abram William Burgess
Abram William Burgess - part 2
Children of Abram William and Sarah Jane Rogers Burgess
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