Allen Family History

Patriarchal Blessing given to Jane Belbin Paskett: (volume 247, page 190)

A blessing given by Joseph A. A. Bunot on the head of Jane Belbin Paskett Judd daughter of James Pope Paskett and Charlotte Buckgam Paskett. Born Nov 17 , 1846 at Glaseshire England.

Sister Judd by virtue of the Holy priesthood vested in, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I lay my hands on your head to bless you. You are of the Linage of Ephraim thru the Loins of Joseph of old. You are heiress to all the privileges and blessing belonging to the new and everlasting covenant. Sister Judd the Lord has watched over you and has preserved your life. And blessed you with sons and daughters that are instrument in the church and kingdom of God. And I tell you in the name of the Lord Jesus that the stray sheep will come back to the fold. And the Lord will bless you in your old age. With all the blessings that will make your heart glad. And I bless you with health so that you may enjoy your last days with comfort of life and society and have with your children, they shall be a comfort to you and your heart will swell with Joy at the blessings of the Lord. Sister Judd God will except of you sacrifice and he will except of you prayer. Sister Judd your election is sure, only keep your heart with the Lord and when you are ready to depart you will have the testimony that you have done your duty. And serve the Lord with all your mind and might. And that is expected of you. I seal this blessing on your head in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and seal you up to eternal life to come forth on the morning of the first resurrection with your companion, even so amen.

Life Sketch of Jane Paskett:

Jane Belbin Paskett was born November 17, 1844 in Dymock, Gloucestershire, England. She was the third daughter of James Paskett and Charlotte Buckingham. She was named after her aunt Jennie/Jane, who married Thomas Belbin.

Her parents joined the LDS Church when Jane was just a few years old. Her father served as president of two branches of the Church simultaneously and the family sometimes had traveling Elders stay in their home. Jane grew up with the gospel being a large part of her and her family’s lives.

Her father worked as a shoemaker but they did not have much money. When Jane was in her early teens she got a job at the home of Frederick Tabrum, who was a manufacturer of mattresses. She helped with the housework and cared for Mr. Tabrum's young son. She also took care of the large family dog named Muftie.

The Paskett family had wanted to join the Saints in Utah for years but were financially unable. Only Fanny Hannah, Jane's older sister, had already emigrated to America in 1864. A few years later, Jane had some money saved and the family decided that she and her brother, John, should go to America. Jane's boss gave her a fine mattress to take with her to America and told her if she didn’t like America she could return to England and live with him and his family. Jane and John sailed on the Constitution, leaving Liverpool June 24, 1868. Jane was in her twenties at the time. During their journey at sea, they experienced one great storm that got their bedding all wet. They also saw many porpoises traveling in schools. They spent both the 4th and the 24th of July on the Atlantic. The 4th was celebrated by the captain sending up rockets and everyone staying up late singing and cheering. They spent the 24th of July celebrating the arrival of Brigham Young in the Salt Lake Valley by hoisting a flag of the United States of America, shooting off rockets and fireworks, hearing speeches and songs, and taking part in a delicious dinner which was provided by the ship's crew. The group arrived in New York on the Sunday August 5.

After remaining in New York for a short time, Jane and John traveled by train to Benton City, Iowa, which was at that time the end of the railroad line. From there, a group of teamsters was ready to take them to Utah. They arrived at Henneferville September 14, 1868. Jane and John greeted their sister, Fanny, there and Jane lived with her for a time. She then lived with various families in 1869. Jane was often homesick and wanted to return to England.

Jane worked for a Mr. and Mrs. Smith for a while. They owned a large boardinghouse where fifty railroad workmen stayed and Jane worked as a table waitress. In 1869 the railroad in that area was completed and Mr. and Mrs. Smith decided to move. Before leaving, they held a big party and dance. The music for the dance was furnished by George Bearclough and Robert McMichael, friends of George Judd. Jane's brother, John, was also acquainted with George because they had worked together in Henneferville. John introduced George to his sister and George was immediately attracted to the refined, petite lady with blue eyes and thick brown hair. George was handsome, with black curly hair and steel-blue eyes. He was of not so quiet a disposition and had great ambitions. George began courting Jane with fervor, but Jane had many suitors. One suitor was a George Roberts. Mr. Roberts once went to call on Jane but found that George Judd had arrived ahead of him. He noticed that George Judd's horse was standing up close to the house and upon closer scrutiny found that George was holding the horse's rein through the glassless window. George Roberts took his pocket knife and quietly cut the rope from the horse's neck leaving George holding the horseless rope. There was much rivalry between these two young men, but Jane chose George Judd as her companion. When George and Jane were married in December of 1869, Mrs. Smith gave her many gifts such as blankets, sheets, pillows, dishes, silverware, and a shiny black coal stove.

George and Jane traveled from Henneferville to Salt Lake and were married December 6, 1869. The ceremony was performed by President Daniel H. Wells. At the close of the ceremony he said, George did you have a ring for your wife? Jane's hands were small and webbed between the fingers so she could not wear rings. She showed her hands to Brother Wells and said See, I cannot wear a ring. He looked with compassion on her hands and pronounced a blessing on her that her affliction would never be a hindrance or burden to her, that none of her posterity would be so afflicted and that on the morning of the first resurrection her hands would be made perfect. This blessing was a source of great comfort to Jane throughout the years.

Jane and George returned to Henneferville and settled into a little one-room log house. After the birth of their first child, Emily Agnes, they moved to Upton and lived in the old home of George's parents. After a couple of years they returned to Henneferville and remained there the rest of their lives.

In the fall of 1871, Jane was pleased to see the rest of her family, the majority of whom had finally come to Utah. Her parents settled just east of her and many of her siblings also spent at least several years living in Henneferville.

On March 7, 1887, Jane was sustained as president of the Henneferville Ward Relief Society and served for the next 17 years, giving a great deal of service.

Jane bore nine children; the youngest, Herschel, was born when Jane was in her forties. Jane became very ill with childbed fever after Herschel was born but through faith and prayers her life was spared.

As George and Jane's children grew and left home, the couple moved out of the old log house into a new frame home. It had two large rooms, a closet, a pantry, and the luxury of electric lights. Even though the house had electricity, Jane always kept her coal oil lamp filled and the wick trimmed, just in case. She didn't quite trust the new lights. They pumped spring water right into the house which was a luxury. George passed away October 24, 1923, at 81 years of age, and Jane was left alone. She continued to garden and was a friend to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great, great-grandchildren. In her old age, Jane spent many hours reading The Book of Mormon and the Relief Society Magazine.

Jane enjoyed relatively good health in her old age. When she was about 90 years old, she suffered a severe shock when, during a fierce electric storm, a bolt of lightning struck her home and sent a current of electricity from the house meter to the stove where she was standing. From that time she couldn't hear well.

Jane passed away February 16, 1940 in the home of her daughter, Belbin Jane Edson, in Ogden, Utah. She was 95 years old. Jane is buried beside her husband.

For more information on Jane Belbin Paskett please click on the following link:

http://sites.google.com/site/allenfamilygenealogy/home/the-paskett-family