Faith, Freedom and Bronze: The Extraordinary Journey of Jane Elizabeth Manning James

"We walked until our shoes were worn out, and our feet became sore and cracked open and bled until you could see the whole print of our feet with blood on the ground."

These haunting words capture an extraordinary journey of faith - one that would take a free Black woman from Connecticut to the American frontier, helping forge a path for Black pioneers in the Mormon faith. Today, Jane Elizabeth Manning James's remarkable legacy stands immortalized in bronze at This Is The Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City, where her story continues to inspire and challenge our understanding of Black history in the American West.

A Monument to Remember

In July 2022, artists Roger and Stefanie Hunt unveiled a life-sized bronze sculpture of Jane as part of the Pioneers of 1847 Monument. The masterful work captures Jane in period dress, two children held close to her body, their faces reflecting both the determination and tenderness that marked her remarkable life. Every detail in the bronze work - from the fabric's intricate texture to the subtle expressions on their faces - brings Jane's resilience to life.

But this isn't just another pioneer monument. It stands as a testament to a largely untold story: the presence and perseverance of free Black families in the early Mormon faith and the American West.

From Connecticut to Faith: An 800-Mile Journey by Foot

Born free in Connecticut around 1821, Jane's journey began when she encountered Mormon missionaries and found a faith that spoke to her soul. Her conversion would test that faith immediately - when she and her family attempted to join other church members in Nauvoo, Illinois, they were denied passage on a boat because of their race.

Rather than turn back, Jane led her family on an 800-mile journey by foot. They traversed hostile territory, faced discrimination, and endured physical hardship that would have broken many others. At one point, local authorities in Peoria, Illinois, demanded to see their "free papers," assuming these determined travelers must be runaway slaves rather than free Black Americans pursuing their faith.

A Unique Position in Mormon History

Upon reaching Nauvoo, Jane's dedication earned her a unique position - she lived in the household of Mormon founder Joseph Smith and his wife Emma. Her written autobiography provides one of our most detailed accounts of early Black Mormon life, showcasing not just her literacy but her keen observation of this pivotal time in religious history.

A Pioneer Family's Legacy

After Smith's death in 1844, Jane married Isaac James, another free Black convert who worked as a laborer and coachman. Together, they joined Brigham Young's vanguard pioneer company in the trek west, becoming among the first pioneers to enter the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. As a free Black family, they were notable among Utah's early settlers - they made up roughly one-third of the Black population in early Utah and were the only free Black family among that group.

In Utah, Jane and Isaac built a prosperous homestead, raising ten children and accumulating property at a time when such achievements were rare for Black families in any part of America. Their success story stands as a testament to both their determination and the unique opportunities they found in their adopted faith community, despite the racial restrictions they still faced.

A Spiritual Quest for Equality

Throughout her life, Jane repeatedly petitioned church leaders for access to temple endowment ceremonies - sacred rites considered essential to Mormon faith. Her eloquent petitions, preserved in church archives, reveal both her deep spiritual devotion and her unwavering pursuit of full religious participation.

Though these ordinances were denied during her lifetime due to racial restrictions, Jane maintained her faith until her death in 1908. In 1979, these ceremonies were finally performed for her posthumously - a significant milestone in the recognition of early Black pioneers' contributions to the faith.

The Legacy Lives in Bronze

Today, the Hunt's bronze sculpture serves as both art and testimony, inviting visitors to connect with an extraordinary story of faith, perseverance, and dignity. For African Americans exploring their history in the American West and for anyone interested in untold stories of Black achievement, Jane Elizabeth Manning James stands as a powerful reminder that Black history encompasses far more than we've traditionally been taught.

The monument's placement at This Is The Place Heritage Park ensures that future generations will know the story of this remarkable woman who helped shape both religious and Western history. Her journey - from that 800-mile walk to her final years as a respected pioneer - reminds us that Black history is American history, filled with stories of extraordinary courage, unwavering faith, and the pursuit of full participation in every aspect of American life.

"We walked until our shoes were worn out, and our feet became sore and cracked open and bled until you could see the whole print of our feet with blood on the ground." - Jane Elizabeth Manning James