Our American Connection - The Biographies by Bette Fuller

The Wilde Burnett Family – Sarah Jane Burnett Wilde seated in the middle

NANCY COCKER WILDE BUCKLEY

Mother of Sarah Jane Wilde Burnett

Nancy Cocker, the mother of Sarah Jane Wilde Burnett was born in Burnbybrow, Chad, Lancashire, England. Her parents were John Cocker and Nancy Thornley. She joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the age of 15. Many times, it is said she shook hands with then President of the Church, Brigham Young, when he was visiting in England. Nancy married John Wilde. The date of the marriage is unknown. Her parents did not allow Nancy to marry John Wilde until he too had joined the LDS Church. John did join the LDS Church a few years after Nancy.
Nancy and John had five children, 3 sons and 2 daughters, only three survived Sarah Jane, Mary Ann, and Matthew. Two of their boys, Joseph and John, died when they were young and are buried in England. Around 1852 when Matthew, the youngest child, was only a year old, John Wilde left England, and came to Utah. He left his wife and the three small children to provide for themselves. The father promised, when he left, that as soon as he was able to secure enough money, he would send for them.
Nancy went to work in a cotton factory to provide for herself and her children. Later on the two girls began to work in the factory also. It was indeed a hard struggle for the mother. Some times they barely had enough to eat. It was only with the help of her father, John Cocker and friends that she managed to survive.