Happy Birthday, Jane Johnston Black

Yesterday was my 4th Great Grandma Jane Johnston Black's birthday. I did a little thing for her.

Jane Johnston Black was born June 11, 1801 in Antrim Ireland to Daniel Johnston and Margaret Chambers. Her father was a minister for the Wesleyan Methodists. She took over for him when she was 16 and was a minister til she was 20 when she lived with William Black, who was her guardian when her father passed away. William "Y" Black was in the British army and came home and courted Jane. They married July 31, 1822. They had four children: William Valentine, Mary, George and Joseph Smith Black (he's my 3rd Great Grandpa!). In 1834 or 35, they moved to Manchester, England for work. While there, they heard the Mormon Missionaries. William Clayton (who wrote "Come, Come Ye Saints") and Joseph Fielding spoke of the restored Gospel. They both believed and were baptized Jan. 14th, 1839. They were also friends of John Taylor's and Brigham Young's who were also serving there. William desired to become a missionary and went with John Taylor and others to Ireland to preach the gospel. While William was on his mission, Mary had gone to Kirtland with a few Saints and in 1840, Jane and her 3 boys sailed to Nauvoo. There was a bad storm. One of the older boys had said something in tongues and Jane interpreted it saying that they'd dock in England and they'd continued on and be safe. The ship Chaos was docked the next day a few got off but they continued onto Nauvoo. They arrived in Nauvoo and met the Prophet Joseph Smith. She was excited to meet the Prophet of God. He had called her to be a midwife.

When Joseph, his brother Hyrum, Willard Richards and John Taylor were in Carthage, Joseph and Hyrum were murdered. Willard Richards was the only one not harmed. John Taylor was hit twice. One in the leg and the other in the chest but his pocket watch had stopped the bullet. John Taylor wouldn't let them operated until Jane was there. She had asked him later why he sent for her. He said "Because I knew there was none better at such a job, and wanted you to stand at the morning of the resurrection and testify to the Lord against the assassins who murdered the Prophet and his brother Hyrum." She helped nurse him back to health. William had come home before then and had to go to Canada to get his pension from the army. When people where trying to figure out who was to become the next prophet, Brigham Young spoke and Jane heard and saw Joseph in Brigham. She knew, as with others, that he was to become the next prophet. He had called her to become a midwife when they crossed the plains and told her that she wouldn't lose a mother or child. She didn't.

When they were going to cross the Mississippi, the mobs were trying to take their fire arms. She had one in her bosom. She pulled it out and said she'd use it before they could take it from her. They left her alone. Another time she was hiding the guns under a quilt. The mob asked her what she was doing. She told them that they had the power to resurrect and that's what she was doing. The men said she was crazy and they left her alone saving the arms!

They crossed the plains and settled in Utah. Brigham and called them to move to Manti. They later moved to Rockville. Jane was called to amputate a man's leg. The man was swearing and mad. She said that he should be thankful. He asked why and she said "because you didn't lose both legs." She had amputated his leg with just a butcher knife.

When she passed away she was in her home and her daughter in law came to help her. Sarah's 12 year old son Parley came. He said ‘I remember I was sitting on a chair in the front room by Grandma and she called my mother, who was in the kitchen, and wanted her to open the door. She came in and said, ‘there is no one out there.’ Grandma said, ‘Joseph and Hyrum is out there.’ Uncle Parley said, ‘I was just a young boy but I remember it seemed like every hair on my head stood up. Mother walked over and opened the door to satisfy Grandma, then mother walked back into the kitchen and Grandma just slumped down in her chair and was gone.’ Uncle Parley really felt Joseph Smith and Hyrum came to escort Grandma Jane to the spirit world. From Rita N. Black who married a decedent of Joseph Smith Black.

Jane was a woman of courage and strength. She is my hero. I love hearing and reading the stories about her. She's just a wonderful woman and one of my heroes! I can't wait til I pass on and can meet her and my other ancestors. That will be an awesome family reunion! That's one I'll REALLY be looking forward to. So Happy Birthday, Jane! You're in my heart! I want to be like her firm in the faith.