Journey Day by Day
~ Summer 1852 ~
The Daughters of Charity story in California began when the seven Sisters journeyed from Emmitsburg, Maryland to San Francisco, California in the summer of 1852.
They traveled by stagecoach from Emmitsburg to New York and from there by steamer to Panama where they crossed the Isthmus by rail, boat, and muleback. Two of the Sisters contracted cholera and died on the Isthmus. The five surviving Sisters journeyed on and arrived in San Francisco on August 18. The Sisters kept a journal with daily entries from June 17 to August 18, giving eyewitness accounts of their journey to California via Panama.
How the Journey Started
1850
Bishop Alemany writes to Father Maller (Provincial Director in Emmitsburg) requesting Sisters for his new diocese in California. It is decided that Sisters would not be sent immediately but in the near future.
May of 1852
Bishop Alemany (later Archbishop) attends the First Plenary Council of Baltimore, meets Father Maller, and renews his request for Sisters to come to San Francisco. His request is granted.
May 26 of 1852
The Sisters’ Council in Emmitsburg decides to send seven Sisters immediately to California and names Sisters Frances McEnnis (40) as Sister Servant with Sisters Fidelis Buckley (49), Mary Sebastian Doyle (45), Corsina McKay (42), Mary Ignatia Green (30), Bernice Williams (34) and Honorine Goodman (38) as her companions.
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Thursday June 17
At 4 o’clock P.M. we went to see Father Maller. About 5 o’clock Mother Etienne took us to supper. About six o’clock the stage came to take us from our dear Home – stage too small, only four went in it to [...]
Friday June 18
Breakfast at the hotel about 4 ½ o’clock. Baggage taken to Columbia in a gig. At Columbia, they refused to take the box, being too large for the baggage car. About half way collision of cars caused a delay of an hour. . . [...]
Saturday June 19
Went to Mass at St. Joseph’s Church. Father Barbelin celebrated. After breakfast we made some purchases, dinner at 11 ½ o’clock, left at 2 P.M. accompanied to Camden by Sisters Gonzaga and Mary John. Too late at the cars to get comfortable seats. Change [...]
Sunday June 20
Heard Mass again at St. Joseph’s Church, New York, and received Holy Communion. Mrs. Mann accompanied us. They were all very kind to us, but told us they were very much afraid to have us remain under their roof, lest the house should be [...]
Monday June 21
Rev. Father Quinn went to the office of the Ship’s Company, to engage the passage, but found all taken on the Illinois. Those to be sold on the Cherokee were not appropriate for us, therefore he took them on the Ohio, which was to [...]
Tuesday June 22
Went in the Henry Hudson to Albany, arrived there about five o’clock. Sister L. Ignatius much surprised to see us, as she supposed we were on our way to San Francisco. She and all our dear Sisters very kind to us.
Wednesday June 23
Spent ten days very pleasantly with our Sisters at Albany.
Friday June 25
Received Holy Communion at St. Joseph’s Church, Albany. In the evening, Father Haverman came to see us, accompanied by Father Conroy. We went to Troy in Father Haverman’s carriage. Our dear sisters much pleased to see us there.
Sunday June 27
Went to Holy Communion in the sweet little chapel, then to breakfast, after which we assisted at the 8 o’clock Mass. In the evening we had Benediction, no vespers on account of a concert, which was to commence at 7 o’clock.
Monday June 28
Sisters Corsina and Mary Sebastian accompanied by Sister Bibianna, did some shopping; they were treated very respectfully. A Protestant lady, who watched the Sister in the streets remarked that a Sister of Charity would be treated with courtesy in any country, or any dress.
Thursday July 1
Sisters Lucy Ignatius and Frances went to New York to arrange about our voyage.
Friday July 2
Sisters Lucy and Frances returned to Albany.