Jan. 21, 1887 Condolence Letter from Sr. Ignatius (1822-1898), RSM, in Atlanta, GA
February 20, 2018Sr. Ignatius (1822-1898), a Religious Sister of Mercy in Atlanta, wrote this letter of condolence to John F. Armstrong on 21 January 1887. Sr. Ignatius wrote of Sarah McAndrew Armstrong as “my dear and deservedly estimable friend”.
According to her obituary in the Atlanta Constitution (25 September 1898), Sr. Ignatius was known as Miss Katherine McKenna before she entered the Sisters of Mercy. Born in 1822 in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland, she immigrated to Savannah in 1847. In 1853, she founded St. Mary’s convent in Augusta, GA and served as its superioress for twenty years. She was also at Sacred Heart Convent in Augusta for four years and the Immaculate Conception convent in Atlanta for several years before returning to Savannah in 1889.
For more information on Sr. Ignatius, see the References with attached notes below.
Marie Van Sant Hudson contributed substantial research for this post.
References
“Necrological: Mother Mary Ignatius, Savannah, Ga.,” Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, GA), 25 September 1898, online archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/18094938/sr_ignatius/ : accessed 8 March 2018), citing original p. 9.—-Notes: Sr. Ignatius died 24 September 1898 at St. Vincent de Paul convent in Savannah, GA. She had been ill for several months and was seventy-six years of age. Her birth name was Katherine McKenna. Born in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland on 3 December 1822, she immigrated to Savannah in 1847. In 1853, she founded St. Mary’s convent in Augusta, GA and served as its superioress for twenty years. She was also at Sacred Heart Convent in Augusta for four years and the Immaculate Conception convent in Atlanta for several years before returning to Savannah.
“Sister Cecilia Ordered from Atlanta to Savannah – Sister Ignatius Leaves Also and Will Be Succeeded Here by Sister Rose, of Augusta – Mother Genevieve to Be Here Today.” Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, GA). 2 August 1889, online archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 22 February 2018), citing original p. 3.—-Notes: Sr. Ignatius was being transferred to the Mercy motherhouse in Savannah, GA. She had served as the order’s reverend mother in Georgia and the local superior of the Immaculate Conception convent in Atlanta. She was also the founder of St. Mary’s Convent in Augusta, where she served as superior.