Jewels from Jane, Sept. 12

Hannibal
Sept. 12th 1863

Dear Mother St. John [Facemaz]

Yesterday we purchased the Seminary and the small house in front for the use of the Sisters. We will set about repairs immediately and endeavour to make it as comfortable as possible. It is likely that we may be able to rent the vacant ground near it for a number of years as it belongs to [?] that will not be of age for several years. Please write to me saying what time the Sisters may be able to come to open school.

I am, Mother St. John, yours truly in Christ

[Rev.] T. Ledwith [Pastor of St. Mary's Parish]

St. Mary's elementary school opened in 1865 and over the years was also known as St. Aloysius Academy, St. Joseph Academy, and Immaculate Conception School. In the 1870's and 1880's it included a school for the deaf. In 1964 it combined with Blessed Sacrament school having a faculty including Sisters of St. Joseph and School Sisters of Notre Dame. The Sisters withdrew in 1969.

Jewels from Jane, May 27

Bloomington the 27th of May, 1864

Dear Mother St. John [Facemaz]

I have seen Bishop Duggan last week.

He is very willing that the property (that half that I pointed out to you) with the building be deeded to you, and that you assume one half of the amount of the loan be secured for the erection of the building. The amount of that loan is three thousand five hundred (3500) the amount you are required to accept will be seventeen hundred and fifty (1750)
The whole of this amount is secured by mortgage on the property.

The Bishop requests me to say to you that he will be home until the tenth of next July and that he will very cheerfully come to receive the Sisters at Bloomington any time they can come up to that time and in case you cannot come before that time that Dr. Dunning ... will come to receive you and that he will visit Bloomington in September

Hoping that this arrangement will be agreeable to you, and wishing to see you soon in this city, am requesting the privilege of recommending myself to a participation of the prayers of yourself and community

I remain very respectfully in Christ

[Father] T. Kennedy

St. Joseph Academy, an elementary Parochial academy, opened in Bloomington, IL in 1864 in Holy Trinity Parish and was transferred to the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1876.