James Noonan to Cardinal Vaughan 1873., 04/01/1873-08/13/1873

File — Box: 1, Folder: 16

Identifier: 48068

Series-level Scope and Content Note

From the Series:

(Folders 15 -24) This series contains xerox copies of typed transcriptions of correspondence from Father James Noonan to Herbert Cardinal Vaughan, covering the period of his residence at St. Francis Xavier, Baltimore, Maryland, first as teacher for the mission, then as rector and provincial (1872-1877). This correspondence complements the original autograph letters by Cardinal Vaughan in the preceding series. In addition, there are copies of typed transcriptions of correspondence from Father Noonan to Canon Peter L. Benoit (1820-1892), one of the original founders, along with Cardinal Vaughan, of St. Joseph's Society of the Sacred Heart for Foreign Missions. He was initially Vaughan's secretary when the latter became Bishop of Salford, although Benoit practically became the diocese's vicar general. Vaughan later invited Canon Benoit to become rector of St. Joseph's Missionary College of the Sacred Heart on Mill Hill, London. Benoit was to formally relinquish his canonry when he joined the Baltimore mission in 1875. (For further biographical data on Canon Benoit, see Folder 1:25.) Other correspondence in this series includes xeroxed typed transcriptions of letters received by Father Noonan, and letters sent and received by Cardinal Vaughan to and from various clerical associates and missionaries. The copies of transcribed material in this entire series have been made available courtesy of Rev. Peter E. Hogan, S.S.J., Archivist, Josephite Archives, Baltimore, Maryland.

Dates

04/01/1873-08/13/1873

Collection-level Access Restrictions

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Extent

From the Collection: 0.5 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Shelf Location

08/10/07

Container Summary

Contains copies of transcribed correspondence from Father James Noonan to Cardinal Vaughan. Addressed from Baltimore, Maryland, to Salford, England. Total: 5. Itemization is as follows - @ 4/1/1873 - Refers to invitation by the Bishop of Louisville, Kentucky, to open a mission there. Also mentions possibility of opening a house in New York. Reports on the progress and work of various mission members including fathers James Gore, Charles Vigneront. Complains about the lay assistant, Sylvester John Sawyer: "[He] may be useful in his own sphere but he is certainly not the right man in the right place....I have determined that the less of a lay element in our Society the better." @ 4/24/1873 - Reports on the indiscretion of one Brother Francis, who "made more free than proper with a young woman (colored)...and went so far in outstepping the rules of modesty as to kiss her." Also reports on Sylvester John Sawyer. Mentions securing land for a mission in Texas; foregoing settling a mission in New Orleans for the present; but developing one in Louisville since "the Bishop is favorable." @ 6/5/1873 - Short note deferring to Cardinal Vaughan on a final decision regarding the prospective mission in Louisville. @ 6/23/1873 - Reports on the departure of Sylvester John Sawyer to become procurator to "the Paulists in New York." Regarding the Louisville mission, Father Noonan expresses his opinion against sending Father Charles Vigneront as superior, or Father John Tardy. Mentions the closing, due to debt of the school attached to the Baltimore mission, begun by Father Cornelius Dowling. Finally expresses his unhappiness in his work: "...it is painful to be obliged to allude to it but a sense of duty requires me to do so. You are aware my dear Father, that when we first just came to this country, I felt a great natural repugnance to the work of being a priest to the colored people...that feeling still exists..." @ 8/13/1873 - Mentions the departure of fathers John Tardy and Charles Vigneront for the Louisville mission. Complains about the "inactivity" of Father Tardy and his reluctance to learn English to preach. Recommends the ordination of Peter Van Daal. Finally, reiterates his unhappiness in his work.

Subjects and Associated Physical Materials

NOONAN, JAMES - CORRESPONDENCE TO VAUGHAN, HERBERT (TRANS): Transcript

VAUGHAN, HERBERT (CARDINAL) - CORRESPONDENCE FROM NOONAN, JAMES: Transcript

LOUISVILLE, KY - ST. JOSEPH'S SOCIETY OF THE SACRED HEART (REF): Transcript

ST. JOSEPH'S SOCIETY OF THE SACRED HEART - LOUISVILLE (REF): Transcript

NEW YORK - ST. JOSEPH'S SOCIETY OF THE SACRED HEART (REF): Transcript

ST. JOSEPH'S SOCIETY OF THE SACRED HEART - NEW YORK (REF): Transcript

GORE, JAMES - REFERENCE: Transcript

VIGNERONT, CHARLES J.F. - REFERENCE: Transcript

SAWYER, SYLVESTER JOHN - REFERENCE: Transcript

TARDY, JOHN - REFERENCE: Transcript

DOWLING, CORNELIUS - SCHOOL, ST. FRANCIS XAVIER: CLOSED: Transcript

VANDAAL, PETER - ORDINATION: REFERENCE: Transcript

NOONAN, JAMES - VOCATION DILEMMA: Transcript

TEXAS - ST. JOSEPH'S SOCIETY OF THE SACRED HEART: PROPOSAL: Transcript

ST. JOSEPH'S SOCIETY OF THE SACRED HEART - TEXAS: PROPOSAL: Transcript