Brief History

A Brief History of Our First One-Hundred Years!

Paddlewheeler on the Mississippi

Mary Frances Clarke was born in Dublin, Ireland, the eldest child of Cornelius and Mary Ann (Quartermaster) Clarke. In the Early Days: Pages from the Annals of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary states that Mary Frances was baptized in the Franciscan church on Marleborough Street, on the north side of the Liffey River on March 2, 1803. However, during their April 2002 visit to Dublin, Ann M. Harrington, BVM, and Mary Alma Sullivan, BVM, retrieved new information and records indicating that Mary Frances Clarke was baptized at St. Andrew's Chapel on Townsend Street (south of the Liffey) on December 15, 1802. Mary Frances was the eldest of four children, three girls and one boy (Catherine, Martha, and Edward). Her family operated a leather shop, specializing in harness and carriage leather . Mary Frances was educated by a tutor, Mr. Matherson, her kinsman who had studied at Salamanca.

As young women, Mary Frances Clarke, Rose O'Toole, and Elizabeth Kelly were members of one of the Catholic sodalities, which were popular at the time (ED 5). In 1831, they met Margaret Mann at the bedside of a cholera victim. Margaret Mann was the "sole proprietor of a millinery establishment which gave employment to twenty young girls. Elizabeth Kelly was a child of wealthy parents....Accompanied by the daughters of the great O'Connell she brought relief to the poor, and personally ministered to their needs....In preparing a set of vestments they first met Catherine Byrne who was occupied in the pharmacy of the principal hospital in the city.... At about this time [1831] they were joined by an excellent lady, Mrs. Berkley, the childless widow of a British army officer, who had at her disposal an ample annuity, and who generously offered herself for their work" (ED 7-8).

On July 15, 1833, four of these Irish women, Mary Frances Clarke, Margaret Mann, Eliza Kelly, and Catherine Byrne, left Dublin, Ireland, to work with the Irish immigrants in North America. They arrived in Philadelphia on September 7, 1833 and were befriended by former Dubliner, Mrs. Margaret McDonough. On September 10, Father Terence James Donaghue visited their lodgings in Willings Alley. They opened a school in St. Michael Parish in Fall 1833. On November 1, 1833, the community of the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary was founded.

In 1841, Bishop Mathias Loras of the Dubuque diocese invited the Sisters to relocate in Dubuque. In March 1842, they accepted Bishop Mathias Loras' invitation to work in the Dubuque diocese. Jesuit Father DeSmet visited Philadelphia in autumn 1842, and the Sisters heard the first details of life in the West.

In 1843, they moved to Dubuque on the Mississippi River, and began to teach children of the pioneer settlers in the Iowa Territory.

Timeline

References:

In the Early Days: Pages from the Annals of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Louis: B. Herder, 1911. [Hereafter ED]. (Source page numbers indicated in parentheses.)

Coogan, M. Jane, BVM. The Price of Our Heritage: History of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Vol 1: 1831-1869. [Hereafter PH1]. Dubuque: Mount Carmel Press, 1975.

Coogan, M. Jane, BVM. The Price of Our Heritage: History of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Vol. 2: 1869-1920. [Hereafter PH2]. Dubuque: Mount Carmel Press, 1978.

Harrington, Ann M., BVM. Heritage Society Meeting [Hereafter AH]. Dubuque, June 8, 2002.

1802: Dec. 15	Mary Frances Clarke born to Cornelius and Mary Ann (Quartermaster) Clarke in Dublin. (Birthdate listed as March 2, 1806 in PH1 13.) Mary Frances was the eldest of four children; her siblings were Catherine, Martha, and Edward.
1806:	Catherine Byrne born and left an orphan at an early age. Admitted to Poor Clare Orphanage at Harold's Cross in south Dublin on Feb. 20, 1813, age 7. Confirmed May 16, 1816; received First Communion June 20, 1817 (PH1 20). Catherine worked in a pharmacy at Dublin's largest hospital.
1807: Mar. 7	Margaret Mann born in Dublin, the only daugher of John Mann and Ann Thompson (ED 283; PH1 16). (1805 in PH1 16.) Mr. Mann belonged to the line of Dutch weavers brought to Ireland by William III; Mr. Mann participated in preparations for the Rebellion of 1798 (PH1 16-17).
1809: Apr. 6	Elizabeth (Eliza) Kelly born to Michael Kelly and Mary Hyland, a wealthy family living in Dublin. She became friends of Daniel O'Connell's daughters and with them ministered to the poor in Dublin. (ED 338).
	Rose O'Toole born. Her widowed mother raised the large family "near the strawberry beds," in an area west of Dublin along the Liffey. A quiet, steady person, there is no record that Rose taught at any time (PH1 19).
1831:	Cholera devastates Dublin (ED 5).
1831: Dec. 8	Six Dublin women join together: Mary Frances Clarke, Margaret Mann, Rose O'Toole, Catherine Byrne, Eliza Kelly, and Mrs. Berkeley. They find a cottage hermitage in a Dublin suburb and meet there on weekends to pray and plan "charitable works for the week" (ED 5; PH1 19).
1832: Mar. 19	The community moves to Dublin's north side and opens "Miss Clarke's School" at #29 North Anne Street; their "patronage came largely from the middle-class" (ED 8). SW corner of North Anne Street (PH1. 4) "It was the relatively prosperous workers and tradespeople who came that day to enroll their daughters...." (PH1. 3). ("...peace, and to a certain extent, affluence surrounded them" ED 11). Known as "The Nuns of North Anne Street" (ED 9).
1832: Aug. 6	Through the assistance of Eliza Kelly's uncle, Rev. Mathias Kelly, they celebrate Mass at their North Anne Street residence. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in their private chapel. A Philadelphia priest visiting Ireland for his health, Rev. Patrick Costello, is appointed chaplain by Archbishop Daniel Murray of Dublin (ED 9).
1833: July 15	Before departing Ireland, Mass is celebrated in their North Anne Street chapel by Rev. Peter Richard Kenrick then a curate in Dublin (later Archbishop of St. Louis). Four of group, Mary Francis Clarke, Margaret Mann, Catherine Byrne, and Eliza Kelly, leave Dublin bound for the USA (accompanied to Liverpool by Mr. Mann and Mr. Kelly [ED 15]). [The evening before departure, Catherine Byrne makes her decision to join them (ED 14)].
1833: July 18, Thursday	*The four women depart Liverpool bound for USA on the ship Cassander of** Hallswell Lines under the command of Captain Stephen Davenport. Two prospective seminarians also on board: John Early, age 19, going to Jesuit seminary in Frederick, Maryland; and Andrew Burns to the New York seminary (ED 15). [Cassander identified by Joan Frances Crowley, BVM, at the Heritage Society meeting, June 8, 2002, as the ship taken by the four women--not Cassandra as recorded In The `Early Days`* `and` `Price of Our Heritage`. Both ships departed from Liverpool on approximately the same day and arrived in New York on the exact same day. Information with names of the four women retrieved from a copy of the Cassander's manifest by Joan Frances Crowley, BVM, in June 2002. (Ages given on Cassander's Manifest: Eliza Kelly, 25; Margaret, 26; MFC, 28; Catherine, 23. Their baggage included: 5 trunks, 3 boxes, 6 baskets, and 1 bundle of wearing apparel. Occupation listed as Religious)]
1833: Aug. 14	Sitting on deck of the Cassander, Margaret Mann, as she recites the rosary and dozes, has a vision: "In the doorway leading to the sacristy stood a priest...." Later identified as Fr. TJ Donaghue (ED 61-62).
1833: Sept. 1	Disembarking the Cassander, Eliza Kelly's purse accidentally drops in the ocean with all their money (ED 17)!
1833: Sept. 7	Arrival in Philadelphia (ED 18). Their former North Anne Street chaplain, Rev. Patrick Costello, does not meet them as he had promised.
1833: Sept. 7, Sat.	They meet Mrs. Margaret McDonogh, a Dublin native, as they leave St. Joseph's Church. Mrs. McDonogh finds lodging for them on Willings Alley, near St. Joseph's church (ED 19-20).
1833: Sept. 8, Sun.	Mrs. McDonogh prepares birthday breakfast celebration in honor of BVM for group after early Mass at St. Joseph's (ED 22).
1833: Sept. 10, Tues.	Fr. TJ Donaghue (hereafter TJD) visits group at the insistence of Mrs. McDonogh. TJD demonstrates how to light an American coal fire with kindling under the coal--unlike the the Irish peat fire, which is lit from the top (ED 22-24).
1833: Fall	They open school at 520 Second St. in St. Michael's parish, but continue living in Willings Alley and attending St. Joseph's Church (ED 27).
1833: Fall	TJD discusses establishing a new foundation of Sisters with Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick of Philadelphia (ED 31).
1833: Nov. 1	Community formally founded as "Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary" (Charity added ten years later by Bishop Loras) (ED 32).
1834: April	Rose O'Toole joins Sisters. She was detained in Dublin for the settlement of her family's estate. She brings £100 in gold and household goods with her (ED 35). (Her widowed mother had died of the cholera in 1831 [ED 8].)
1835: May	Sisters rent two new brownstone buildings at Second St. and Laurel to provide for growing school and convent. Sisters move from Willings Alley (ED 35).
1835: July 16	Novitiate opens: Sister M. Alphonsus Lawler enters.
1837: July	Bequests enable TJD to buy land near St. Michael's to build a new convent on SE corner of Second and Phoenix (later Thompson) Streets (ED 36).
1838: Sept. 29, St. Michael's Day	Sisters move into new commodious convent, novitiate, and boarding school (ED 36).
1841; Oct.	The Dubuque Cathedral organist and a teacher in the boys' school, John J. Norman, a brilliant orphan from Philadelphia who was befriended by TJD, informs Bishop Mathias Loras about TJD and his teaching Sisters in Philadelphia (68). Bishop Loras invites Sisters to Dubuque (ED 57).
1842: March 19	TJD accepts Bishop Loras' invitation to come to Dubuque (ED 67-68).
1842: Autumn	Jesuit Father Pierre J. DeSmet visits Sisters and provides detailed information about the "vast field of labor in the West" (ED 66).
1843: June 5, Monday	Margaret Mann, Elizabeth Kelly, Joseph O'Reilly, Francis O'Reilly, and Patrice Caniff, accompanied by Bishop Loras and Bishop Peter Richard Kenrick (newly appointed bishop of St. Louis who had celebrated Mass for them ten years earlier on the day of their departure from Dublin; and brother of Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick of Philadelphia) depart Philadelphia for Dubuque via Pittsburgh by rail and canal (ED 76; PH1 130).
1843: June 10	Five Sisters and bishops arrive in Pittsburgh (ED 76).
1843: June 12	Sisters and bishops depart Pittsburgh on Ohio river steamboat to Keokuk, IA (ED 76).
1843: June 16	They arrive in Louisville, met by the local bishop, and celebrate Mass (feast of Corpus Christi)(ED 76).
1843: June	In Keokuk, they board upriver packet, the Dubuque, in command of Captain May (ED 77)
1843: June 23	Sisters arrive in Dubuque on Feast of Sacred Heart with Bishop Loras and his bell for St. Raphael's Cathedral (ED 77).
1843: July 5	Sisters open St. Mary's, our first school in Dubuque.
1843: Sept. 12	TJD, MFC, and 13 remaining Sisters depart Philadelphia for Dubuque retracing route of first group (ED 83).
1843: Oct. 8	TJD, MFC, and Sisters arrive in Dubuque (ED 83).
1844: March	TJD returns to Kensington area of Philadelphia (ED 98).
1844: May 8	TJD present in Kensington when rioters destroy St. Michael's church, school, and convent. TJD's hair turns white overnight when church is burned during the riots. Rioters called Know-Nothings because of their "tenet of secrecy" (ED 99).
1845: May	TJD returns to DBQ from Philadelphia after a 15 month absence (ED 114).
1845: June	Site of St. Joseph's Prairie home chosen; Incident of bees with TJD and Bishop Loras (ED 120-121).
1849: May 15	Fire at St. Joseph's Prairie; total loss of buildings, furnishings, and records (ED 132-135).
1849: July 16	Trappist Monks from Mt. Melleray, Co. Waterford, Ireland, arrive in Dubuque-Fr. Clement Smyth (later Bishop of Dubuque), and a lay brother, Ambrose (ED 138; PH1 243).
1850: Nov. 16	*TJD sails on Baltic* Nov. 16, 1850 (Baltic's maiden voyage) from New York for Liverpool with Archbishop-elect John Hughes of New York. Hughes was an associate pastor at St. Joseph's, Willings Alley, when TJD was stationed there (ED 64). Hughes is to be consecrated Archbishop of NY when they arrive in Rome.**
1850: Nov. 27	TJD (in Archbishop Hughes' entourage of 8) arrives in Liverpool, 11 days, 8 hours after departing NY--almost a record! TJD has an audience with Pope Pius IX, Feb. 21, 1851 (PH1 258).
1851: June 11	TJD and Archbishop John Hughes depart Liverpool for New York; arrive in NYC 11 days later.
1852	After the death of their parents (Cornelius and Catherine [Quartermaster] Clarke), MFC's sisters Catherine and Martha come to St. Joseph's with their brother Edward's daughter, whom they place in school (ED 350-351).
1855	Bishop Mathias Loras in poor health (ED 156).
1857: April	Rome appoints Prior Clement Smyth, OCSO, Coadjutor Bishop of Dubuque (ED 157).
1858: Feb. 19	Bishop Mathias Loras dies suddenly. Catherine Byrne and Sr. Agnes called to be with him until "he breathed his last" (ED 159.)
1859: May 28	New York Archbishop John Hughes visits St. Joseph's Prairie and renews friendship with TJD and Sisters (ED 172).
1859	St. Joseph Prairie school moves to 14th Street Hill, DBQ, allowing more room for novices on the Prairie.
1859	Margaret Mann, first IA Mistress of Novices, becomes superior of Immaculate Conception Academy, Davenport (ED 191).
1859	Gonzaga McCloskey becomes second Mistress of Novices in IA (ED 191).
1862: Oct. 29	Gertrude Regan becomes third Mistress of Novices until 1877, when she is appointed assistant to Mother Clarke ED (ED 192).
1866: Oct. 8	Catherine Byrne dies after 33 years in religion [first of original five to die]. Her father was the "manager and confidential advisor of a large importing firm in Dublin....One of their vessels laden with a rich cargo was wrecked when almost in sight of port with the loss of every man on board. Hearing of the disaster Mr. Byrne fell dead, and his wife survived him but a short time. Catherine, their only child, was placed in the care of the Nuns, and her tender piety not less than her many noble and amiable traits of character received forthcoming care" (ED 197).
1867: Aug. 19	Sisters begin teaching at Jesuit schools in Chicago, St. Aloysius and St. Stanislaus (ED 205).
1868: Sept. 6	Dubuque 13th and Main Streets building purchased for $10,000, St. Joseph Academy (213).
1868: Fall	TJD's health failing (ED 217). He celebrates Mass for last time on Dec. 8, 1866.
1868: Dec.	Bernard McCaffrey, Prior at New Melleray Monastery and known for his skill in healing, remains at TJD's bedside to assist him (ED 219).
1869: Jan 5	TJD dies at noon in the seventy-fourth year of life and 41 years after ordination (ED 220).
1869:	MFC is elected President; Margaret Mann, Vice-President; Gertrude Regan, Treasurer.
1869:	MFC recalls Margaret Mann from ICA, Davenport, to assist her (ED 278).
1869: Sept.	Community incorporates under the laws of Iowa (ED 279).
1873: Dec. 25	Margaret Mann dies. Superior of St. Joseph Academy, DBQ, at the time of her death (ED 281). "She was born in Dublin, on the 7th of March, 1807. Her parents, John Mann and Ann Thompson, were pious Catholics who bore full share in the sufferings inflicted on those who adhered to the ancient Faith during these dark times" (ED 283).
1877: Sept. 15	Decree of Approbation of the Institute from Pope Pius IX.
1881: April 21	Eliza Kelly dies. The first Annalist of the Congregation; her notes, however, were lost in the fire at St. Joseph's Prairie in 1849 (ED 338).
1883: Nov. 1	Congregation completes 50th Anniversary of its foundation; Mother Clarke's Golden Jubilee (ED 338-339).
1885: March 15	Decree of Final Approbation and Confirmation of Congregation, issued by Pope Leo XIII (ED 346).
1885: June 28	Rescript confirms MFC as Superior General for life (ED 347).
1887: Dec. 4	MFC dies after a ten-day illness, in her eighty-fifth year of life and fifty-fifth year in religion (ED 352, 349).
1888: Feb. 2	Gertrude Regan elected Superior General (ED 367)
1890: Mar. 10	Rose O'Toole dies; the last of the original members
1893: Nov. 28	Novitiate transferred to Mt. Carmel, DBQ (ED 367)
1894: Feb. 2	Cecilia Dougherty elected Superior General (ED 367)
1900: Feb. 2	Gertrude Regan elected Superior General (ED 367)
1906: Feb. 2	Cecilia Dougherty elected Superior General (ED 367)
1910: May 25	Bodies of TJD, MFC, and first four sister removed to mausoleum at Mt. Carmel, DBQ (ED 367)

	In the Early Days: Pages from the Annals of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Louis: B. Herder, 1911. [Hereafter ED]. (Source page numbers indicated in parentheses.) Coogan, M. Jane, BVM. The Price of Our Heritage: History of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Vol. 1: 1831-1869. [Hereafter PH1]. Dubuque: Mount Carmel Press, 1975. Coogan, M. Jane, BVM. The Price of Our Heritage: History of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Vol. 2: 1869-1920. [Hereafter PH2]. Dubuque: Mount Carmel Press, 1978.

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