Jane Yates was baptized St. Olave, Southwark (now part of Greater London) 5 Feb 1586/7, daughter of Henry and Alice Yates. Jane was married twice; first St. Benet's Gracechurch, London 27 Sep 1603 Thomas Clarke and second, St. Olave, Bermondsey, Surrey William Collier. She had a total of seventeen children between her two husbands, but only four daughters emigrated to Plymouth Colony. Jane's second husband, William Collier, was for decades actively involved in the Plymouth Colony. He was a member of the Merchant Adventurers who helped finance the start of the colony. William and Jane emigrated to Plymouth with their large family in 1633 where William served many roles in the Colony's government.

Jane's daughters and maternal granddaughters married into many Mayflower families.