Float at a glance

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)

As of today the float is still in Herriman. I'll post here as soon as I hear that it has moved. Here are some photos from today:

It is so good to see some color! June 19

The quilt is floral sheeting glued to the burlap.

A large sheet of styrofoam was donated that will become huge yarn balls. Thanks!

The float will be moving soon to its new location in West Jordan.  Once moved we'll be working on some projects here and some there.  Coordinate with your ward float rep to know which work location we'll be working at each evening.

Here are some pictures from this week:

As of 6/12 - the screening is finished on the wheel

Parts from a bike were used to mechanize the spinning wheel.

6/16 the first color is added to the float.

Starting to lay out the quilt.

The tree that was built off site arrives.

Some YW on a service scavenger hunt stop-by to help.

The tree is installed.

Our progress as of Tuesday 6/4

Our progress as of Thursday 6/7

Sign-up Sheets Going Around this Sunday!

Your ward reps should be passing around sign up sheets (or should be making assignments) this Sunday for the next three weeks. We are asking for each ward to provide 2 workers every night Tuesday-Friday 6:00 - 8:00pm, and Saturdays 8:00 - noon. Our goal is to have the float finished by the end of the month!


 Post your Pictures on our Facebook Group 

We'd love to see what you're doing to help with the float. Post your pictures to our facebook group. You can find a link to it on the right.

Dear Bishops and Float Committee Ward Representatives,

We are trying to clarify some confusion as to how the work assignments and ward assignments are being done.  We are not receiving the supplies that we need so it is difficult to make a time line for everyone.  So this is the time line for the rest of the week:

WE WILL NEED TWO PEOPLE FROM EVERY WARD EVERY NIGHT AND ON SATURDAY MORNING.

I realize that you may not be able to get someone here for Wednesday night June 6th, but the Grandview Ward Bishopric and others have already said that they would be here.  Anyone else is welcome.

Wednesday June 6, 2012:  6-8 p.m.

Thursday June 7, 2012: 6-8 p.m.

Friday June 8, 2012: 6-8 p.m.

Saturday June 9, 2012 8 a.m. - 12 noon

What we are doing is just assigning people when they get here what needs to be done and what we have supplies available for them to do.  We can not glitter the float until me move it inside.  We do have a building we can take it to anytime, but we are trying to get everything done here at our home first, so that there are as few as possible finishing trip to the other building.  It is about a 20 minute trip to the building. When we move this float we will than coordinate the work assignments and the times for those wards.

We had a great group here last night and we got a lot done.  It did not matter whose ward assignment it was we just worked. IT was a lot of fun.  With a group of at least 24 people here each night we can get so much done and when we are done we are done.

We appreciate all that you are doing in helping us get this float done.

We need mechanics who can check out the van under the base.  We need three walkers for the float.  They will be using walkie talkies to help the driver.  We need people who are good mechanically to help us do some animation on the float and we need people who are good with video.  We want to put a camera in the front of the float so that our driver can see what is in front of him.  If your ward has any of this type of talent please let us know.

Thanks again for all of your help and any one is welcome to come see the float!