[3] Jane McDowell married Foster on Monday, July 22, 1850, by a minister from the Trinity Episcopal Church in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

After the birth of Marion, they moved in with Jane's family for some months and then returned to the Foster home.

[3] Marriage problems soon developed and the Foster family initially blamed Jane for not making Stephen happy.

They later changed their view of Jane and praised her for keeping the family together despite the decline in Stephen's income and his lack of responsibility.

[3] Even though marital life was difficult, some of Stephen Foster's best songs were reflective of their first years of marriage.

[3][6] Morrison Foster, an older brother of Stephen aided Jane and Marion after the composer's death in the arrangement of royalty payments to her from various music publishers.

Jane is remembered during the Allegheny Cemetery's "Doo-Dah Days" when visitors are given a tour past her grave.