Louisa Blain writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about Lent and news from Cheraw. Henrietta Lynch adds a postscript about a recurring issue with the slaves the Bishop has asked her husband, Francis, to find a home for. Henrietta writes that they are "city negroes" and would be "unwilling to plow... nor to eat corn bread as they do here." April 2, 1862. 3p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy and mentions a "narrow escape" the Bishop had travelling to Richmond. May 26, 1862. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news of the Ursuline Academy and Convent, including a lengthy recounting of a "Miss Jones" who is being coveted by both the Ursulines in Columbia and another religious order. October 23, 1862. 8p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bp Patrick Lynch with updates on the Bishop's plantations and news of a large contract for shoes that their brother, Francis, has been awarded by the "central association." To help fulfill the contract Francis has "purchased a negro boy (shoemaker) 16 years old for thirteen hundred dollars." November 20, 1862. 2p.
Letter from Francis Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the status of some rental properties and the arrangements being made to receive "Col. Northrop's negroes" from the Bishop. March 4, 1862. 1p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch describing a visit from Bishop McGill of Richmond. She also muses on the plans for the convent should the "northerners" make it to Columbia and mentions being told by a guest "that the citizens will destroy the town on the approach of the enemy." March 2, 1862. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about finances at the school and convent and wonders if "the state of the country" will alter their usual schedule. She also expresses concern for their brother Hugh, encamped with fellow soldiers on the coast, writing, "it takes some of the comfort out of the fire and bed, when I think of his exposure." January 23, 1862. 4p.
Letter from Henrietta Lynch to brother-in-law, Bishop Patrick Lynch, concerning the slaves of Col. Northrop that the Bishop has asked her husband, Francis, to find a place for. She begs the Bishop to make other arrangements for the slaves saying that her husband is already too busy and "hard on himself" and she fears he will end up taking the slaves and caring for them. She also writes of sending the Bishop some rye with instructions on how to dilute one's coffee with it. Apparently writing without her husband's knowledge, she asks the Bishop to destroy the letter. March 8, 1862. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch complaining of the high price of provisions for the Ursuline Convent and Academy. January 7, 1862. 2p.
Francis Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about his ongoing efforts to find a place for Col. Northrop's slaves per the Bishop's request. April 21, 1862. 1p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the sale of slaves on the Bishop's plantation. John writes that he has yet to tell the slave Emmett that he has sold him and his family to a Mr. Mullin and hopes "him willing to go quietly, as I understand he refuses to be hired quietly." January 22, 1862. 1p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch regarding her attempt to send a letter to Father Hubert, a Catholic Confederate chaplain, to ask him to preside over their annual retreat. July 28, 1862. 1p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch wishing him a happy Christmas season and informing him of news at the Ursuline Convent. December 21, 1863. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the conduct of "low, vulgar" soldiers who visited the convent and is sorry to hear that "deserters claim your attention, excepting for their souls' sake." She also writes the Bishop for advice on three controversial applicants for noviciate. One "has been by no means pious" and "read infidel works" and a second was born illegitimate. The third has had in the past "criminal intercourse" but has never had a child, though Madame Baptiste concedes, "she deserves no credit for that." March 6, 1863. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent and Academy. Madame Baptiste writes about obtaining provisions for the winter and her continuing trouble with one of the sisters. October 5, 1863. 6p.
John Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about news from Columbia. John mentions collecting money for the "Charleston orphans", the death of a slave boy on one of the Bishop's plantations and rumors that their brother Francis may have to go into the service. August 19, 1863. 3p.
Letter from Madame Antonia to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from her convent at Mt. Carmel in Maryland. Madame Antonia informs the Bishop that due to the departure of their prioress to start a new order in St. Louis, she has been elected the new Mother Superior of the convent. November 6, 1863. 1p.
Robert Lynch in Combree, France, writes a heartfelt letter to his parents informing them he is no longer interested in becoming a priest. November 6, 1863. 4p.
Louisa Blain writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about missing her "beloved" Charleston and prays the Bishop will not remain there should the "yankees take it." August 24, 1863. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch detailing her fears of an imminent attack on Charleston. She writes that if the Bishop "should get even a scratch" she would be at his side but later admits that "I respect too much our rule of cloister to think of going without necessity." February 19, 1863. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch recounting Easter news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy. She also writes of recent successes against the Union navy claiming, "the iron-clads are far from proving either invulnerable or even very advantageous." April 9, 1863. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch asking him to obtain the permission of "Col. Northrop" to purchase flour from Richmond. March 7, 1863. 2p.
Francis Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning the cheerful news of a Union ironclad recently sunk in Charleston and requests the Bishop to ask "Prof. Hume" to help him test the tanning properties of pyroligneous acid. April 9, 1863. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bp Patrick Lynch informing him that a Mrs. Cohen would like to see him regarding an issue with her husband, a recently paroled prisoner of war. Madame Baptiste also boasts of the continued numbers of boarders being welcomed to the school but notes that one of the parents believe "our school will stand a poor chance when peace is proclaimed." January 2, 1863. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about her concerns over the war. She has heard that the British Consul in Charleston intends to leave and fears it is in anticipation of a Union attack. She recounts the story of a Catholic saint who, in a time of war, was able to summon a storm of gnats to disrupt the horses of the enemy and asks the Bishop, "can you not do something like that for Charleston?" She also asks the Bishop about investments, fearing that the Confederate currency might one day be worthless. February 5, 1863. 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch with updates on the number of boarders at the academy and relates how one potential boarder from Georgetown has been denied passage by the Yankees. January 26, 1863. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning news about the Bishop's properties. John writes that the Lexington plantation continues to be a financial burden and hints at turmoil at the Bishop's Lancaster farm. Several slaves have been brought to Columbia from Lancaster and John suggests to the Bishop to sell them for a profit stating that "I saw some sold here today at pretty good prices." February 2, 1863. 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch asking him to procure civilian passes to Charleston for two friends of the convent that Madame Baptiste feels indebted to. One lady wishes to visit her husband who, Madame Baptiste says, "got permission from Gen Beauregard to send us two tierces of rice, when he refused to do the same for any one else." September 23, 1863. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent and Academy. She muses on the anniversary of her vows and begs the Bishop to tell her all about President Davis' visit to Charleston. She writes about obtaining a new cow for the convent "having disposed of one that was no account." November 8, 1863. 4p.
Letter from Francis Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from Cheraw. Francis writes that he has finished constructing a house for some of the Bishop's slaves containing "two rooms, with dbl chimney in the middle" that he hopes will be sufficient. He also writes about his recent conscription, claiming the enrolling officer does not consider Francis to be a tanner which would have exempted him from service. August 24, 1863. 1p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning the Bishop's slave Daniel. The Confederate Army has been after the Bishop's overseer, Mr. Buff, to send Daniel to help on coastal defenses, but since Daniel is the "only road hand on the farm", he refuses. John asks the Bishop what course of action they should take since Daniel has been ordered to be at the depot in a few days. He also mentions the good news of the "repulse from Fort Sumter" during the late siege of the harbor commenting, "there must have been Irishmen in it." September 9, 1863. 3p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about plans to obtain winter provisions, the burgeoning number of boarders including many Protestants and the renovation of a house on the grounds to accommodate some lay sisters. September 9, 1863. 4p.
Letter (in French) from Robert Lynch in Combree, France, to Bishop Patrick Lynch. In a letter of the same date, Robert had informed his parents he was no longer interested in entering the priesthood. November 6, 1863. 4p.
Letter from Anna Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch asking him to inquire about a Mr. Laughlin who left Cheraw on assignment to a Confederate arsenal but has not been heard of since. February 25, 1863. 1p.
Letter from Madame Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch touching on a variety of topics. She writes of acquiring a piano and "Erhard" harp for the community and muses at length at why there have been no attempts at peace with "Napoleon (III) mediating now." She mentions inoculating the children at the academy for smallpox and describes an awful barrel of flour the Bishop had sent to Columbia. She tells of the horrible condition of the "negroes" in Lancaster writing, "I never have patience with the yankees, except when I think of the abolition of slavery." January 28, 1863. 8p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch describing a conflict between the Catholic Church in Columbia and the Ursuline Convent. She writes at length about her dislike of the "Irish priests" in town and of their rudeness towards the Ursulines and begs the Bishop for help. She ends with the request that the Bishop burn her letter once it is read. December 6, 1863. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning the prevalence of sickness within the convent and the necessary employment of a secular teacher in the academy. She also admonishes the Bishop for not moving out of range of the Union shelling in Charleston, "although the Spanish Consul has offered you his house above George Street." November 24, 1863. 3p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about festivities at the convent during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the acceptance of new boarders at the academy, and a new "worldly" postulant who desires to join the Ursulines. December 9, 1863. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about a photograph she received from General Beauregard as a thank you for her prayers for the safety of Charleston. She implores the Bishop to stay safe during the renewed shelling of Charleston and in a postscript writes, "we're afraid that we lost our Habit stuff in that vessel taken by the yankees." November 19, 1863. 4p.
John Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch to procure some salt for his plantations and muses on the future plans of the Union army. John suggests that after getting rebuffed at Battery Wagner the yankees might try "running the Gauntlet" past the forts with an overwhelming number of boats. If they could meet up with land forces, John writes, they could take Charleston from the rear and "laugh at the forts." July 23, 1863. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch asking for his advice on accepting a nun from the Sisters of Mercy as a noviciate in the Ursulines. September 19, 1863. 4p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch about frustrating negotiations with "Dr. Marks" over the Barhamville property. In a postscript he asks the Bishop to "let me hear about the big gun" in Charleston. September 5, 1863. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the war. Madame Baptiste writes about the Convent's plans should the "yankees" come to Columbia and asks the Bishop where to stash their furnishings. She also suggests erecting a large cross on the grounds so that the enemy will spare them but notes, "I fear the rabble of Columbia who stoned us, as much as the yankees." July 21, 1863. 8p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent and Academy. She hopes that the Bishop will invest $12,000 in the nearby Barhamville Academy to fulfill their long desire to remove the convent and school from downtown Columbia. She also mentions that she is expecting the daughters of several well known people, including that of Mayor Monroe of New Orleans and Confederate General Hindman. August 23, 1863. 8p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the defense of Charleston. She fears the inevitable union assault will last longer than the recent siege at Vicksburg and finds it astonishing "how coolly" people can talk about Charleston "being taken by the enemy." July 25, 1863. 4p.
Letter (in French) from L. Lenager (?) in Combree, France, to Bishop Patrick Lynch. The Bishop's nephew, Robert, is studying for the priesthood in Combree. October 28, 1863. 4p.
Letter from Francis Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch asking him to send their sister, Anna, back to Cheraw as their father is anxious for her safety. September 2, 1863. 1p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent and Academy. Madame Baptiste writes about purchasing provisions and asks the Bishop for advice on investing the "thousands of Confederate money" she expects as the pupils arrive for the new school year. July 31, 1863. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent and Academy. Madame Baptiste writes about the record number of boarders they have received for the school year and her continued efforts to get rid of a troublesome sister. She also writes that should (Union General) Rosecrans' troops eventually come to Columbia, she would ask him to spare the convent by reminding him of the Ohio Ursulines' close relationship with his brother and of her own prayers once offered to the general "when by a sad accident, he was almost deprived of life." 10p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning new boarders and day scholars at the academy and writes at length about her ongoing conflict with another Ursuline sister. 12p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch admonishing him for his forgetfulness concerning the profession of vows for two sisters at the Ursuline Convent. January 2, 1867. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about paying taxes and the need for more teachers, and revisits the idea of purchasing the Barhamville school as a future site for the Convent and Academy. March 7, 1864. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the mental state of one of the sisters and of general news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy. January 26, 1864. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning the recent death of Archbishop Hughes in New York. Madame Baptiste laments that the obituary of the beloved Bishop in a New York paper is anti-Southern "when it speaks of his going to France at the request of Seward and succeeding in dissuading the emperor from acknowledging the Southern Confederacy." February 2, 1864. 4p.
Letter from Francis Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch detailing the passage of a new tax act and his subsequent appeal to the tax board over the amount he is responsible for. March 21, 1864. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to son Robert Lynch in Bermuda. John expresses surprise that his son is in Bermuda especially since his brother, Bishop Patrick Lynch, has recently arrived in Bermuda himself. Enclosed also is a note to Bishop Patrick Lynch in which John discusses Robert's decision to not enter the priesthood. June 6, 1864. 4p.
John Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch that a load of corn and peas purchased for the one of the Bishop's plantations is at the depot awaiting a car and suggests to the Bishop that it be turned over to the local quartermaster as payment for taxes if the car should not arrive by tomorrow. He also writes of an offer for $400 to hire out one of the Bishop's slaves. January 21, 1864. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch detailing the departure of one of the Bishop's overseers and the transfer of slaves among the plantations, and attempts by John to rent out one of the Bishop's properties. 1864. 2p.
Letter from Henrietta Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch thanking him for the cloth that he sent. She mentions frequent parties being thrown in Cheraw and her dislike of taking refugees on as boarders. January 26, 1864. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch about new boarders at the academy and her worry about finances concerning the purchase of the American Hotel for the convent. February 7, 1864. 3p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent and Academy. She informs the Bishop she is sending a Miss Preston, fiancee to General Hood, to Richmond to see the Bishop while he is visiting there. February 21, 1864. 4p.
Anna Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch asking him to save her some "blue satinet" in order to make an overcoat for their father. She mentions a fatal explosion in the arsenal in Charleston and their mother's intention to accompany the Bishop on his "foreign trip.” 1864. 2p.
Henrietta Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch asking him to send some cloth to make a suit for his brother, Francis. She has been unable to get her wool "carded" and fears that Francis will spend the entire winter without one. January 9, 1864. 2p.
Letter from Francis Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch detailing his attempts to obtain an exemption from military service. He also writes that he fears state and Confederate taxes will be high this year but is glad "it is all pro patria." February 24, 1864. 1p.
Madame Antonia writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Rome asking him to contact the general superior of the Order of the Carmelites concerning matters at her convent in Baltimore. February 21, 1865. 2p.
Letter from Robert Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch asking his advice concerning an offer of employment in Le Havre, France. Robert hopes to learn the tanning trade in Europe so that he can find gainful employment when he returns to America when the war ends. February 2, 1865. 2p.
Madame Antonia writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Rome imploring him again to speak to the general superior of her order concerning issues at the Carmelite Convent in Baltimore. She mentions the evacuation of Richmond, General Sherman's stay in their hometown of Cheraw and the Ursulines' move from their burned out convent in Columbia to the Bishop's plantation two miles away. April 9, 1865. 8p.
Letter from Madame Antonia in Baltimore to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Rome describing the events surrounding the destruction of the Ursuline Convent in Columbia by Sherman's troops. She also mentions the recent assassination of President Lincoln and writes "what the consequences may be no one can imagine." April 20, 1865. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Rome from Valle Crucis, the Bishop's property outside of Columbia, having moved the convent and academy from temporary housing at Methodist college and Gen. Preston's mansion. Since Valle Crucis is too remote for day schoolers and too small for large numbers of boarders, she writes of setting up a satellite institute in Macon, Ga., until their convent can be rebuilt in Columbia. She mentions the pardon granted the Bishop and hopes that he will soon return to America. September 25, 1865. 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Reverend J. W. Cummings describing the current status of the Ursulines in Columbia and encloses a letter for her brother, Bishop Patrick Lynch, who is expected soon in New York. October 28, 1865. 3p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch eagerly wishing his return to America. One of two similar letters sent from Madame Baptiste on this date. October 28, 1865. 3p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch eagerly wishing his return to America. One of two similar letters sent from Madame Baptiste on this date. October 28, 1865. 3p.
Robert Lynch in Rennes, France, writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Rome about his continued education in the tanning business and his hope that the end of the war in America will finally allow him to return home. June 4, 1865. 4p.
Madame Antonia writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch in Rome about an offer the Bishop has had to return to America. She fears that he will "endanger his life" if he returns and prefers that he wait "until after the season of Tedious Times is past." June 23, 1865. 1p.
Letter from Madame Antonia in Baltimore to Bishop Patrick Lynch informing him of the availability of a priest for his diocese should the Bishop require one. February 26, 1866. 2p.
