Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about news at the Ursuline Convent in Columbia and that she is "glad to hear of our boxes, which we began to fear were gone to the fishes." September 29, 1858. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning a new "noviciate" being welcomed into the Ursulines of Columbia. Madame Baptiste is concerned that given the precarious financial status of the convent that the new noviciate will not realize the sacrifices she must make given that she has previously known "many conveniences." She also suggests that the noviciate pay her own travel expenses to Columbia and possibly pay her board during her term. September 29, 1858. 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about news at the Ursuline Convent in Columbia, including the potential recruitment of two lay sisters to help in housekeeping so the convent doesn't "have to pay servant's hire." She also mentions stocking up on stores and that she has ordered two tons of coal, "two thirds anthracite and one third bituminous", from Charleston. October 26, 1858. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch informing him of the latest news at the Ursuline Convent and school in Columbia. November 6, 1858. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch informing him of the latest news at the Ursuline Convent and school in Columbia. November 17, 1858. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch informing him of the latest news at the Ursuline Convent and school in Columbia. November 19, 1858. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch informing him of the latest news at the Ursuline Convent and school in Columbia. December 4, 1858. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch informing him of the latest news at the Ursuline Convent and school in Columbia. December 15, 1858. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch telling him about a French woman who had given her a gift as a "pretext" for being considered as a lay sister in the Ursuline Convent. She also asks the Bishop to speak to their sister-in-law, Henrietta, about "her neglect of duty as a wife and housekeeper" for staying in Charleston so long instead of her home in Cheraw. February 24, 1859. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about family news and affairs at the Ursuline Convent. In an earlier letter she had written that the sisters could not fast during Lent and labor too and now asks the Bishop for a decision on the matter. February 27, 1859. 3p.
Madame Baptiste writes to brother, Bishop Patrick Lynch, about family news and affairs at the Ursuline Convent including the arrival of the "little French woman" and another boarder. March 4, 1859. 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent and congratulates him on the one year anniversary of his consecration. March 14, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning two boxes shipped to the Bishop from New York containing statuary for the Ursulines. March 29, 1859. 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch asking him to send a Paschal candle and candlestick holder for the Easter season and informs the Bishop of the latest news at the Ursuline Convent. April, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch enclosed in her letter of April 8, 1859. Madame Baptiste writes about a controversy concerning a parish priest's insistence that communion be received at the parish church only and not in the chapel of the Ursulines. April 10, 1859. 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the Ursulines' preparations for the Easter season and the health of their family. April 23, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch informing him of the news of the Ursuline Convent and academy in Columbia including that she is in "good humor" after receiving $1000 for tuition and board from a Mrs. Gaffney. May 3, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch about his upcoming trip to visit the Ursulines in Columbia for the confirmation of the students. May 12, 1859. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about news at the Ursuline convent and academy including the purchase of books for their library and her desire to rent a piano for several months. May 16, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch about a young boy who "despite the contradictions of a stepmother, and the labors of a blacksmith, thinks of becoming a priest." She also writes at length about a candidate for lay sister for the convent claiming, "I do not know what to think of her." June 2, 1859. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the decision of a sister to leave the Ursulines and comments on some property that may be appropriate for building a new convent. June 6, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the arrival of a new sister, "our little Cincinnati postulant," and the scolding letter she had to write to their brother, John, about his drinking. June 10, 1859. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about news at the Ursuline Convent and academy. She again mentions the property that may be available for building a new convent but is warned by her brother, John, that its location may cause the order to lose its day pupils. The Ursulines' current location is not tenable because of the proximity of "gross shops" and "beer houses" and they are frequently disturbed by "profane language" and "midnight carousals." June 21, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch describing the elaborate preparations made by the noviciates and sisters for her namesake feast day. June 26, 1859. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning news at the Ursuline Convent and academy noting that "our pupils are diminishing weekly on account of the heat." July 8, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch discussing a visit from their siblings, John, Hugh and Anna, and the arrangements being made for the Ursuline academy's upcoming Distribution Day. July 14, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch asking him to procure newspapers from Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis and New York so the sisters can read about Distribution Days and exhibits from other Catholic academies. She laments that the South Carolinian newspaper did not publish their recent events and jokingly comments that it's "a very good index that they fear our power." July 27, 1859. 4p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning the American Hotel on Richardson and Blanding Streets in Columbia as a potential site for relocating the Ursulines. John describes the hotel in detail and includes a small sketch of the lot it resides on. July 28, 1859. 3p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch discussing the Ursuline sisters' opinions on purchasing the American Hotel for their new convent versus buying another place or building from scratch. July 29, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning the Bishop's purchase of the American Hotel in order to relocate the academy and convent there. A petition had been taken up by persons in Columbia to dissuade the establishment of the convent there claiming it would "injure the mercantile interest of the city." Madame Baptiste believes "prejudice rather than pecuniary interest" are behind the petition and suggests selling it to them for a profit and building a new place elsewhere. August 12, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the end of the Ursulines' annual retreat, the renovation of their vows and the ongoing controversy concerning the possible relocation of the convent and academy to the American Hotel. August 15, 1859. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning a mistrial in an unspecified court case. The lawyer advises John that the Bishop's presence would do little to "advance your cause" and advises the Bishop to remain away from Columbia until after the case is tried again. August 28, 1859. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch about court costs associated with an unspecified suit and the lack of cleanliness of the recently purchased American Hotel which John had been given possession of by the sheriff. September 1, 1859. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy. Madame Baptiste is worried about the number of teachers she has compared to other academies claiming she is "the best English and Music teacher but am exhausted and unfit for other duties." September 1, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch with her recommendations for the wording of the announcement publicizing the commencement of their annual exercises on September 20th. (A brief message on Page 2 concerning the students' retreat suggests this may have been written in late May or June). September 1, 1859. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch informing him of preparations being made at the American Hotel in order to make it habitable for the opening of the academy. September 2, 1859. 4p.
Short letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning supplies ordered for the new convent, including verdigris, coal tar and blinds. September 23, 1859. 1p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch recounting news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy. Madame Baptiste writes how the mayor, as promised, has checked up on them one night in John Lynch's absence. October 5, 1859. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch in answer to his query about boarding some of the Sisters of Mercy. At first she thinks it is a godsend to receive well trained individuals in the convent but soon realizes that they are probably "disaffected, fastidious members" and writes that "in my opinion no Religious should travel for her health." October 7, 1859. 4p.
John Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about ongoing renovations at the Ursuline Convent and his discussions with various contractors. He relates that the current night watchman wants to quit after half a month because of "(having) nothing to do, and lonesomeness" and John wants to hire in his place a Patrick Brennan, though he fears Mr. Brennan "might take in his pocket a companion." October 14, 1859. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch about ongoing renovations at the American Hotel, site of the new Ursuline Convent and Academy. October 20, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch about news at the Ursuline Convent and a disagreement over the cost of some of the renovations at the American Hotel. November 16, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent and Academy. Madame Baptiste also requests some supplies she is unable to get in Columbia, including a specific cod liver oil (Burnett's Warranted Pure Cod Liver Oil) preferred by one of the sisters. November 23, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning a bill for new carpet and how $30 dollars mysteriously appeared to pay for it. December 16, 1859. 4p.
Ash Wednesday letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch informing him of their fasting plans for Lent and asking his advice concerning the sale of the copyright of the "Ursuline Manual." February 22, 1860. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about plans that had fallen through for the Archbishop to visit Columbia. Madame Baptiste expresses relief in the change of plans claiming, "I hate meeting dignitaries." She also brings up the issue of selling the copyright to the "Ursuline Manual" and writes at length about a young lady who wants to be a nun despite her mother's disapproval. March 2, 1860. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch renewing her request for advice concerning selling the copyright to the "Ursuline Manual" and asks the Bishop about two potential boarders at the school and convent. March 10, 1860. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch regarding negotiations to accept the pupils of "Barhamville" into the Ursuline Academy. July 1, 1863. 5p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning a fire at their brother John's house, news at the convent and academy and her fears that Charleston and Cheraw, "on account of the cotton and government stores there," will fall to the enemy. June 1, 1862. 7p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent. Madame Baptiste mentions a letter she received from Bishop Verot of Savannah, recommending a particular sister for their order. Bishop Verot's admittance of the sister's "imagination" has given Madame Baptiste pause writing, "the scourges of communities are precisely those persons of talent and fertile imaginations." May 1, 1862. 8p.
Letter from Madame Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent and Academy. Madame Baptiste reports that the "Charleston refugees" do not like Rev. O'Connell, and suggests if the Bishop wanted to make a change in the priest assignments in Columbia now is the time "to break up this nest of (blank)." September 10, 1862. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy and her attempt to contact a publisher concerning her intentions to retain the copyright to the "Ursuline Manual" and ask for ten cents per copy sold. April 5, 1860. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about their brother John's idea to establish a "Building Committee" to plan and finance a newly constructed Convent. April 14, 1860. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy. Madame Baptiste writes that one of the "Philadelphia sisters" is going back and that she has written Bishop Wood asking for a "strong able-bodied washerwoman" in return. April 16, 1860. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about arrangements for a reception for one of the sisters that is to be presided over by a Bishop McGill. April 21, 1860. 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the visit of the "Consul of Belgium" to the convent and about general news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy. April 28, 1860. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent and Academy and of the prospects of the new school year. July 11, 1863. 6p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy including a recent ceremony for nine child "aspirants." May 31, 1860. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the upcoming Distribution Day at the Ursuline Academy and hopes to establish a firm date to notify the parents. The children, she adds, are "complaining so much of heat weakness that we are anxious to liberate them from their studies...and not have them getting sick on our hands." June 12, 1860. 2p.
Copy of a letter sent from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Verot concerning the Ursulines' plans to open a satellite institution in Macon, Georgia. February 12, 1866. 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy and mentions an unspecified court case involving orphans that was recently lost by Bishop Lynch. She also sends news of their brother John's new child that they have named James writing, "I cannot bear to call the name so soon" after their brother James' death. July 31, 1860. 6p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy. She also asks him to edit some errors concerning the start date and expenses of the Academy that appeared in the "Miscellany", specifically to "change to $10 for drawing crayons, etc." August 5, 1860. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch about an agreement with book publisher Kelly, Hedian and Piet concerning the printing plates for the Ursuline Manual. September 21, 1860. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning the long delay in getting furniture for the convent, the Bishop's declaration on Lenten dietary restrictions, and a troublesome lay sister. February 13, 1866. 8p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch with updates on boarders at the academy and asks the Bishop to inquire if Mother Theresa, of the Sisters of Mercy in Charleston, has space for three "half orphans." January 13, 1863. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news of the family and Ursuline Convent and comments that "Columbia is crowded" but that "the political excitement seems to cast us quite in the shade." November 13, 1860. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent and Academy on the anniversary of their establishment in Columbia. September 14, 1862. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch about family matters and news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy. Madame Baptiste describes how the sisters are sewing banners and flags for various companies noting "is it not queer for nuns to be engaged preparing flags for war?" She also thinks that business would return to normal if "other states would hurry and come out of the Union." January 8, 1861. 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Sister Mary Charles Curtin about the sister's request to join the Ursuline Convent. Madame Baptiste informs her that the rules of the Ursuline Order make it difficult to accept someone who has already "professed" in another order writing that "a secular fresh from the world is preferred.....as it is more difficult to eradicate preconceived ideas of right, than to implant true ones for the first time." She also cautions the sister about the difficulty of moving from an active and worldly community to a contemplative and cloistered one. September 15, 1863. 3p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch detailing the death of a local man and the unfortunate consequences surrounding an orphan the man and his wife were taking care of. October 16, 1863. 8p.
