Baron was successful in the production of the first transatlantic telegraph cable in 1866 which was laid by the ship SS Great Eastern designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and became a man of prominence.

[12] The couple’s decision to go to Western Australia was due to Edward’s ill health for he suffered from a condition called tic douloureux.

In 1863, Edward accepted the position as colonial chaplain of the Holy Trinity Church, York, Western Australia.

Janet and Edward left England on board the ship Tartar on 26 August 1863 and arrived in Fremantle 110 days later, on 13 December 1863.

[13][14][15][16] In her book, Janet describes her sensation of pleasure at seeing Rottnest Island off the coast of Fremantle for the first time knowing it was only a matter of a few more hours before the Tartar would arrive in the town.

Her pleasure was somewhat tinged with sadness, however, as she later reflects with compassion on the death of an emigrant’s child who died of illness and a sailor who drowned during the voyage.

[18][19] Having accustomed themselves to life in the new Swan River Colony in Fremantle and Perth the couple set off on the journey to York to their new residence.

Edward had set out from Perth before Janet who followed afterwards with one horse and a maidservant travelling in a hired dogcart, a light horse-drawn vehicle, driven by a convict.

[23] The couple were also welcoming to the Aboriginal man Khourabene who became a loyal friend, as evident by Janet’s frequent warm references to him in her book.

[28] Janet was the second clergyman’s wife to accompany her husband to Western Australia in the early stages of the development of the Swan River Colony.

[h] Well wishes for their return journey to England were evident in a brief extract taken from an article by a York Correspondent featured in The Inquirer and Commercial News a few days before the Bridgetown sailed from Fremantle, "…I cannot allow Edward to leave the colony without wishing both himself and his no less amiable wife, Janet, every blessing they can desire, and a safe and pleasant voyage to their fatherland.

[42] Whilst at Kimmeridge, Janet used her journals, diaries and notes of her time in York to write her book An Australian Parsonage, showing a special interest in the Aboriginal Noongar people and their customs and on many other topical subjects.

[7] Five years after the death of her husband Janet, aged 59, was living at 26 College Road, Brighton with her cousin, Amelia Travers.

A lengthy death notice was printed in the Ampthill & District News, dated 15 October 1904, pays tribute to her, stating that she would be much missed by the poor, to whom she was most charitable and sympathetic during her 18 years in Biggleswade.

Most reviews occupied many column inches and were consistent in their praise for Janet’s vivid description of her life experiences as the wife of an English clergyman during the five years the couple lived in York.

Both articles ended with an appeal to readers to send assistance to the editor, Anne MacKenzie, to help support the new Aboriginal Institute, Perth.

[54] This article concludes with reference to the work of the recently established Mission School for Aboriginal children within the Bishop See, Perth.

[55][56][57][58][59][60] Janet’s second article, "School Life in West Australia", printed in The Net in October 1873,[61][62] Janet writes on behalf of Miss Shepherd about everyday life at the Mission School as Miss Shepherd was forced to return home to England in 1873 due to ill health.

In England, it was of particular value as a guide to those seeking to emigrate to Western Australia as Janet describes a vast range of topics from settlers and convicts to animals and plants.

In recognition of her contribution, the Shire of York named a road after her, Janet Millett Lane, which runs by the Holy Trinity Church.

The painting of the Holy Trinity Church, York, Western Australia is after a watercolour by her and adorns the jacket of the facsimile edition of her book printed in 1980.