Daughter of John Littlewood and Frances Martin, Jane Lovenia Littlewood was born at Whtehaven, Isle of Man, England, 1 Oct 1813.

I Jane Lovenia, in my girlhood, was a Chamber maid and seamstress in the palace of Queen Victoria at Kensington, England. This is where I was when I found the gospel. I married young, age 19, James Rigby Sr. 7 Oct 1832 Manchester, Lancashire, England

I, James, left the uplands of England, now known as Rigby Heights, and after our marriage, stayed in England until our fourth child, all girls, were born. Two girls, Lovenia Jane and Ann, died and were buried at Stockport England. With our other two girls, Mary (Huttchins) and Lovenia 2nd, we took passage on Ship Leahigh for the land of Zion in 1840. While on the Atlantic ocean, in December 1840, Lovenia 2nd died and was buried from the side of the vessel.

I, James, left my parents, Charles and Mary Barrett Rigby, and brothers and sisters, Samuel, John, Elizabeth Ellen and Thomas, at Cheadle, England. Charles married Miss Fannie Tryfoot at England.

I, Jane, left my parents John and Frances Martin Littlewood and their children, Martin, Margrett, Francis and Ann, at Whitehaven, Cumberlin County, England.

When Jane and I and Mary landed in America, we made our home several places before coming to Utah. While in St. Louis, we had another little girle named Marie who died here. We had a son Charles who was born at Augusta, Iowa 1 Sept, 1847, and had another girl Margrett at Nauvoo, Ill.

While making preparations to take his family across the plains, getting wagon and oxen etc., in 1849, he was stricken with a head disease and James Rigby Sr. died November 1849 Augusta, Iowa.

In the spring of 1850, found me a widow with five small children and aided by friends, I made my way across the plains in Bishop Hunter's company. Otis L. Terry, Captain of 50.

We located in Salt Lake City and I married again, to John Mayer, and became quite well off.

Although would go to Sanpete on a visit or two, I never cared much to leave my city home.

I was called by friends and family, 'Lady Jane." I was rather small of stature, and very neat in my work and appearance. Finally, a few years prior to my death, I came to Sanpete and lived with my children, passing my last few days with my daughter Margrett Turpin at Burch Creek.

Jane Lovenia Littlewood Rigby Mayer died in Sanpete April 23, 1899. Her son, Charles, being very sick at the time of the funeral, the funeral procession came up around by his home. He was propped up in bed and watched them go by.

Services were held in the Ward Chapel and she was buried at Fairview.


More History and Events
Mission on the British Isles opened up 1837. Heber C. Kimball set apart 4 June 1837 to open the first foreign mission with Orson Hyde, Williard Richards and Joseph Fielding, landing 30 miles from Liverpool, 20 July 1837 on Ship Garrick.

First sermon was preached at Preston 23 July 1837, at Heaton Norris 1838. James Rigby was on a mission with Parley P. Pratt. On July 6, 1840 Pres Parley P. Pratt held a conference at Carpenter's Hall with 2500 present.

Record of Church News, 25 March 1961... Stake of Zion organized at Manchester by Apostle Hugh B. Brown and Nathan E. Tanner at Palace Theater, present 2088. Preston, England, 1837 building Vauxhill Chapel, where first missionaries preached in 1837, still standing 9 March 1961. Was visited by Singing Mothers in England, participating in dedication of Hyde Park Chapel by Pres. David O. McKay.

Early spring of 1858 when Johnston's army was coming to Utah, Jane Lovenia and her family moved from Salt Lake City, south to Lehi, and lived with William Frederick Rigby until a peace commission was effected 12 June 1858. They then went back to their home. Jane was now married to John Mayers.

Jane Lovenia's sister Margrett was born 28 May 1810 on the Isle of Man. She died of childbirth 12 Oct 1846, leaving 8 children. One of them was William Frederick Rigby. Jane Lovenia visited William Fred while he was in the penitentiary for Polygany on 1 May 1888.