Here is a little bit more about the woman we are honoring on our float: 

Mary Jane Parker Butterfield

Marker from Herriman Cemetery

Mary Jane Parker Butterfield

Birth:Jan. 21, 1817, Parsonsfield, York County, Maine
Death:Jul. 21, 1901, Herriman, Salt Lake County. Utah (Buried in the Herriman Cemetery)


Married to Thomas Jefferson Butterfield, Founder of Herriman.




Did you know that Mary was a member of the First Relief Society in Nauvoo?

"Mary Jane Parker was born on January 21, 1817, in Parsonfield York County, Maine. She
is the daughter of Samuel and Hannah Edgecomb Parker. Mary Jane was slight of build,
just 5 feet tall, with black hair and bright, expressive eyes. She was taught early to work.
Mary Jane was 18 when she married Thomas Butterfield in Farmington, Maine. Soon
afterwards, they attended a meeting and heard the Prophet Joseph Smith tell of the
restored gospel. They were immediately converted and baptized by Thomas’ uncle,
Josiah Butterfield.

Life was difficult for the new couple. They experienced many hardships. Mary Jane was
faithful and courageous in taking care of their home and protecting her family. She
earned a living for her family for over a year when Thomas was sent on a mission.
Thomas was good with animals and was called upon to help the Saints move from Ohio
to Missouri, and then to Illinois. Mary Jane packed their belongings herself in a wagon
and drove the oxen. When living in Missouri, two men came to the Butterfield home
while Thomas was away, climbed on the house and knocked a hole in the roof, intending
to throw a burning faggot inside. With authority Mary Jane commanded them to leave.
The men never returned.

Soon after the first Relief Society was organized in Nauvoo, Mary Jane became a member. She helped the sick, made clothing, and knitted stockings for the men working on the temple. Many years later, Mary Jane recalled the experience of being part of that first Relief Society, “……(the sisters) should do a good work and be a great help to the Church. I was a member of the Society and enjoyed myself very much in meeting with the sisters.” (from the Herriman Historical Society Website)


Her Husband, Thomas, was the First to Live in the Area we call Herriman:

Thomas Butterfield

"In 1850 Thomas Butterfield was living in West Jordan. In the spring of 1851, while searching for fresh water and a place to raise their livestock and families, he and Samuel Egbert found a small stream of water flowing from a canyon. He later returned and further explored the area, then moved his family, sheep, cows, oxen, horses and bees to the site he had chosen. With the help of his family, he plowed a ditch, erected a cabin, planted crops and cut firewood to prepare for
the coming winter.


In the next few years the Thomas Butterfield family was joined by others. The area became known as the Butterfield Settlement. After Henry Harriman, Thomas Butterfield was called to be the second presiding authority of the area until he left on a mission to the Salmon River area in 1855. After coming home, he married his second wife, Mary Farmer. When the Young Men’s Improvement Association was formed in 1879, Thomas served as its first President.

Thomas Butterfield was a very industrious man. As the years went by, he added to the variety and amount of crops planted until the family produced most everything they needed or cared for. His herds grew large and prosperous. He was known for his generosity, always giving to those in need or less fortunate. He was a friend to the Native Americans in the area. He gave them food and a place to camp. "   (from the Herriman Historical Society Website)