Elizabeth Seton founded the American Sisters of Charity in Emmitsburg, Maryland in 1809. She was joined by several other women who helped establish the religious community. On July 19, 1813, seventeen women became the first American Sisters of Charity by taking vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They lived simply and focused on educating young women and caring for the poor, establishing a legacy that continues today through their spiritual descendants.

1. E l i z a b e t h S e t o n ’ s F o u n d i n g C o m m u n i t y

2. In 1808 Elizabeth Ann Bayley
Seton, 34, was newly widowed
with
fi
ve children, newly poor,
and newly Catholic in anti-
Catholic New York. So when
Rev. William Dubourg, a
Sulpician and president of St.
Mary’s College, invited her to
open a girls’ school in Catholic
Baltimore, Maryland, she
welcomed the opportunity.
Besides increasing numbers of
students, others began joining
her in what would be the
beginnings of the American
Sisters of Charity.

3. Photo: Mother Seton habit (stmaryspacast.org)
The
fi
rst newcomer, highly educated
Cecilia O’Conway, was followed by
Maria Murphy, and by early June
1809 Susan Clossy and Mary Ann
Butler. At Mass on the feast of
Corpus Christi, 1809, these
fi
rst
Sisters of Charity appeared in
simple black habits with white caps.
Not long after, Rose White, a widow
with a small son; and Kitty Mullen
arrived.
Watercolor, House of the Daughters of Charity, Albany, NY, USA

4. With the Paca Street house now
too small, a generous donation
made property in Emmitsburg, forty
miles west, their new destination
where Sarah and Ellen Thompson
awaited them. By winter 1810 the
house was once more too small to
allow new members, but soon in
the completed “White House,” they
were welcomed again. Between
March 1810 and February 1812, ten
more were added. Under an
adapted Rule of the French
Daughters of Charity approved by
Archbishop Carroll, a novitiate was
completed, and seventeen women
became the
fi
rst vowed American
Sisters of Charity July 19, 1813.
Paca Street House, site of her first school
White House, Emmitsburg (setonshrine.org)

5. “At the expiration of the term of
probation, about one year and a
half, eighteen members were
admitted to the vows of Poverty,
Chastity, and Obedience… The most
impressive and joyful ceremony
took place on the 19th of July, Feast
of St. Vincent de Paul, 1813. Without
interrupting the celebrant of the
Mass, the Sisters repeated aloud,
between the Elevation of the
Sacred Host and the Elevation of
the Chalice, the words of their
consecration, vowing to God and
the whole Heavenly court to spend
their lives for the little ones of Jesus
Christ.”
- from The History of Mother Seton's
Daughters: The Sisters of Charity of
Cincinnati, Ohio, Volume 1
by Sr. Mary Agnes McCann Stone House, Emmitsburg (setonshrine.org)

6. These
fi
rst Sisters were
characterized by maturity and
independence. Some had
never seen a religious sister,
but the American pioneer
spirit energized them.
Whatever their expectations,
they brought a wealth of
good will and talents.
Forewarned, the community
found rudimentary conditions,
including shoveling snow
from the garret, the bedroom
with sleeping mats and only
two cots for the in
fi
rm. Five
preceded Elizabeth in death
by 1821. For
fi
nancial help
sisters took in sewing from
priests and students at
nearby Mt. St. Mary’s until the
boarding school stabilized
income in 1810.

7. But fervor and vision inspired
these women who followed
Elizabeth, a charismatic
leader who built a deep
spiritual foundation on Mass
and the sacraments, common
prayer, and instructions. She
cherished each individual as
letters testify: “[she] has taken
my soul in hand,” “one of the
sweetest souls,” “lived in my
very heart.”
Stone House, Emmitsburg (setonshrine.org)

8. Invoking the spirituality of St.
Vincent de Paul, they sought to
fi
nd God in every part of life
and persons, especially in the
poor, their
fi
rst priority. Besides
boarders in an academy, day
students attended the Free
School, and St. Joseph’s Class
received orphans, with
advanced instructions for the
more talented. Sisters taught
catechism and visited the poor
and sick, helping from their
slender supplies. White House, Emmitsburg (setonshrine.org)

9. By mid-century only three of
the original vow group
remained, Fanny Jordan in
Emmitsburg, Elizabeth Boyle
in New York, and Margaret
George in Cincinnati.
Exemplifying the original
diversity, each had o
ff
ered a
lifetime of dedicated service
to God’s poor. Each had
passed on to future
generations her special gifts
as part of Elizabeth Seton’s
founding circle.
Photo: William Seton had the Mortuary Chapel
built to honor his mother. (setonshrine.org)

10. Sisters Who Professed Vows
as First American Sisters of
Charity
July 19, 1813
Elizabeth Bayley Seton
Cecilia O’Conway
Mary Ann Butler
Susan Clossey
Catherine Mullen
Rose Landry White
Sarah Thompson
Ellen Thompson
Martina Quinn
Elizabeth Boyle
Ann Gruber
Angela Brady
Fanny Jordan
Julia Shirk
Louise Roger
Adele Salva
Margaret Farrell George
Teresa Conroy

11. Sources
“Elizabeth Seton’s Founding
Community” on the website of
the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati
https://www.srcharitycinti.org/
who-we-are/archives/historical-
resources/saint-elizabeth-ann-
seton/elizabeth-setons-founding-
community/
The History of Mother Seton's
Daughters:The Sisters of Charity
of Cincinnati, Ohio,Volume 1
by Sr. Mary Agnes McCann
Images:
Depaul Image Archive
setonshrine.org
stmaryspacast.org
docarchivesblog.org