Archive Record
Images
Additional Images [2]
Metadata
Title |
First Quarterly meeting of the General Duncan Lamont Clinch Historical Society 1977 |
Object Name |
Audiocassette |
Audio Recording |
Click Here to play the CHS Meeting Recording. |
Scope & Content |
Audio cassette First Quarterly meeting of the General Duncan Lamont Clinch Historical Society 1977 Suzanne Hardee presents: Historical aspects of the Convent Building Historical Overview of the Convent Building "Suzanne Hardee expresses her excitement about the topic and reminisces about her memories of the convent and the sisters. "Suzanne mentions the importance of the convent and school in the lives of Fernandina's citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation. "She expresses hope for the restoration of the convent and school to their original beauty and usefulness. Arrival of the Sisters of St. Joseph "Suzanne Hardee recounts the arrival of eight Sisters of St. Joseph from La Puee, France, in 1866, at the request of Bishop Jean Pierre Augustine Barrow. "The Sisters were tasked with educating and civilizing the newly liberated African Americans. "By 1871, the first Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in Fernandina to help Father John Bertazzi prepare children for their First Communion. "The Sisters initially lived and taught in small rooms at the rear of St. Michael's Church, later moving to a cottage on Fourth Street. Yellow Fever Epidemic and Heroic Efforts "In 1877, a yellow fever epidemic struck Fernandina, and the Sisters became heroines, nursing the sick, preparing food, and even burying the dead. "Two of the Sisters died from the disease, while the remaining Sisters continued their teaching duties. "Suzanne Hardee shares a personal story of visiting a very old nun in St. Augustine who helped identify pictures for the museum. "The Sisters' heroic efforts during the epidemic are still remembered by the town of Fernandina. Building and Expansion of the Convent "The Sisters built a fine convent and school in Fernandina, which they moved into on November 4, 1882. "Mother Antonia, the superior, was a remarkable woman who led the Sisters in producing and selling lace to raise funds for the convent. "The Sisters were skilled lace makers, and Suzanne Hardee hopes to display some of their lace in the museum. "Mother Antonia loved gardening and received exotic plants from sea captains, including the first banana shrubs on the island. Community Support and Personal Stories "The Sisters had a close association with St. Michael's Church and the Villa Longa family, who were important benefactors. "Leonilla Villalonga, a granddaughter of the Spanish Don, was a significant benefactor, donating Italian marble altars to the church and convent chapel. "Edith Gordon, a niece of Leonilla, grew up in the convent apartment and was educated at St. Joseph's Academy. "Suzanne Hardee shares personal memories of taking piano lessons from Sister Facilit and attending after-school gatherings with the Sisters. Separation from La Puy and Future Restoration "In 1900, the Florida convents were required to sever their ties from La Puy and come under the Diocese of Florida. "Some of the earliest French nuns could not bear to be separated from their mother house and were sent to convents in the north and Canada. "The Sisters no longer needed their little cottage on Fourth Street and raffled it off in 1884. "Suzanne Hardee expresses hope for the full restoration of the convent and school, mentioning the recent restoration of the garden house in Villa Longa Park by Eagle Scout Chris McCarthy. |
Object ID |
2022.062.076 |
Collection |
AIMH |
Caption |
Suzanne Hardee |
Length of Interview |
32:46 |
Narrator's name |
Suzanne Hardee |
Number of images |
8 |
People |
Hardee, Suzanne Davis Sisters of St. Joseph Villalonga, Leonilla D. Gordon, Edith Irene Verot, Jean-Pierre Augustin |
Search Terms |
Fernandina Beach Fernandina Beach--history General Duncan Lamont Clinch Historical Society Le Puy, France Catholic Convent St. Josephs Academy Sisters of St. Joseph Convent |
Subjects |
Historical societies Convents Yellow fever Lace making |
Date |
01/13/1997 |