Memoranda Book, James Walton, S.J., 1765 - 1794

File — Box: 169, Folder: 2

Identifier: 119_4_2; 119.1_74

Memoranda Book, James Walton, S.J.

Scope and Contents

Memoranda book kept by James Walton (1736-1803) while he was stationed at Newtown (1765-June 1768); Frederick (June 1768-c. Jan. 1769); Newtown (1769-1784), where he served as superior between 1775 and 1784; after December 1785 until his death he served as superior of St. Inigoes. This bound volume is partially a record of his pastoral work at each station and ledger book for the farms managed by him. Throughout the records, Walton records his activities among the enslaved of St. Mary's County. The volume is difficult to read, as it is not organized by function. Baptismal and marriage records often appear next to pages filled with notes on livestock and special accounts. In addition, the dominant language within these records is Latin, as he recorded baptisms, marriages, and his sick visits in Latin.

The most extensive sections of the volume are devoted to baptisms and marriages performed while stationed at Newtown and St. Inigoes (there do not appear to be baptisms performed while stationed at Frederick). The records do not specify where he administered each sacrament so that it is possible that some of these were performed outside St. Mary's County. These records are nonetheless as complete a record of sacraments administered to the white residents of mid-eighteenth-century St. Mary's County as any available.

As genealogical sources, these records are severely limited. When recording baptisms and marriages, he did not refer to African Americans by the name conferred during the ceremony. Each was simply denoted as "nig." (black) or alternatively as nig-alb (mulatto) with the name of the "superior" (slave owner) who presented him or her for baptism. He likewise did not provide ages for those baptized, but often Walton indicated that he was baptizing an "inf." (infant). Godparents were denoted in a likewise dehumanizing fashion "patrini nig" (sponsors black) or "patrini nig. et par." (sponsors black and parents).

Within the volume, researchers also will find a long list of those he helped as they were dying -- Nomina Mortuorum (list of the dead, 1769-1781) separated into the categories Albi (white) and Nigri (black) who were identified by their owner, special accounts -- Donations to Newtown Chapel, beginning December 11, 1872 and Donations to St. Aloysius Chapel, to St. Joseph's, and Our Lady's Chapel, 1774; members of the Solidarity of Sacred Heart of Jesus (24 members), Perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (55 members), accounts documenting the sale of holy books, and a list of converts.

There also is documentation of his work as manager of the estates at Newtown and St. Inigoes that supplement the daybooks and other account books of these farms. There are accounts that document the support of the priests at these stations but also the support of livestock that provides insight into their importance on these farms. There are some references to the hiring out or tasks performed by slaves.

**Former finding aid locations: 119_4_2; 119.1_74_1; 6.3**

Materials on Slavery

This folder contains materials related to Jesuit slaveholding.

Baptism in St. Mary's County, Md. 1766-1794, recorded by Rev. James Walton SJ - a record of baptisms in St. Mary's County, Md., performed by Fr.. James Walton SJ, from 1766 to 1794. The record includes many names of children born into slavery and free people of color. [GSA49]

Dates

1765 - 1794

Conditions Governing Access

The Maryland Province Archives is on deposit at Georgetown University and is the property of the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus. As stewards of the Archives, the Georgetown University Library’s Booth Family Center for Special Collections is responsible for managing access to the material based on policies set forth by the USA East Province. Researchers may view these materials in the Reading Room of the Booth Family Center for Special Collections. General policies for using Special Collections can be found here.

Access to the Archives is governed by the USA East Province and is subject to all Library and Special Collections policies and procedures in addition to the specific guidelines below. These guidelines are a summary of access policies; the Archives may include materials that fall outside the scope of these general guidelines. For information on access to specific materials, please contact the Special Collections staff.

Guidelines:

1. All Archives materials dated or bearing solely on events occurring before January 1, 1940, shall be open for review unless otherwise restricted, subject to Library policies and procedures.

2. All unpublished Archives materials dated or bearing solely on events occurring on or after January 1, 1940, shall be open for review upon request subject to a decision by the Provincial or someone designated by the Provincial.

3. Researchers may quote from the materials.

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Extent

From the Collection: 308 boxes (212 regular boxes, 25 oversized boxes, 58 restricted regular boxes, 13 restricted oversized boxes, plus 14 card catalog drawers )