Wife of James Bristow who was born in Shelby, Virginia 17 January 1771. He died about 1858.

Jane Shelton Clarkson Bristow was originally buried in the family plot of Gen. Leonard Stephens, Beech Woods, near Florence, Kentucky. Her son Reuben Louis Bristow had married Gen. Stephens' daughter Statira Bonaparte Stephens. It was Statira who reinterred the body of Mrs. Bristow in Highland Cemetery.

On 26 November 1865 Mary Beckley Bristow, daughter of Jane Bristow, wrote in her journal of a visit to Beech Woods: "We were invited to spend the day at Gen. Stephens... I felt a great desire to go there once more before the weather and the roads get bad to visit my Mother & brother's graves and also to meet with those friends whom I highly esteem. Therefore I concluded to accompany Statira.
After dinner I slipped out to the graveyard. There are four persons interred there whose tombstones inform us were over eighty years of age. My beloved Mother was one of those aged pilgrims. I sat on her grave, knowing my weight would not disturb the quiet sleeper beneath and tried as I have done before when I visit those very precious mounds to raise my thoughts & heart to my heavenly Father in the name of Jesus to help his poor wayward & froward - but often sad and lonely, often worn & weary - child to press on toward the mark."

On Christmas Day, 1865 Mary wrote: "Dined today at Gen. Stephens. Sat at a table spread with every luxury this vain world can afford. Had many thoughts, while noticing the profusion of rich provisions around me, about the destitution of the citizens of the South, torn up and destroyed. Perhaps thousands who had been used to all the luxuries of earth have not this bright, beautiful Christmas the bare necessities of life.
The day was so pleasant that we dined in the porch, so whenever I raised my head I could see the hallowed spot that contains what was mortal of my beloved Mother and the dear brother with whom I spent last Christmas day (Julius Clarkson Bristow), and unbidden tears filled my eyes several times. Yet I rejoice that they are sleeping in the quiet grave. No changes can affect them now, and I am not selfish enough to wish them to share my lonely lot. A little while and I shall go to them, I hope, where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest. Often I feel so weary, body & mind both longing for rest."

Mary Beckley Bristow, who was affectionately known as Aunt Polly, did not rest for 25 years. She died 17 March 1890.