Biography of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: Early Life
A convert to Roman Catholicism, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was foundress of the American Sisters of Charity, which was the first sisterhood native to the United States. She was the first person born in the United States to become a canonized saint on, September 14, 1975.
During her lifetime, she was a wife, mother, widow, sole parent, foundress, educator, social minister and spiritual leader. Elizabeth Bayley Seton, of British and French ancestry, was born into a prominent Anglican family on August 28, 1774 in New York City and was the second daughter of Dr. Richard Bayley (1744-1801) and Catherine Charlton (d.1777). She died in Emmitsburg, Maryland on January 4, 1821.
The Bayley and Charlton families were among the earliest colonial settlers of the New York area. Elizabeth's paternal grandparents were William Bayley (c.1708-c.1758) and Susannah LeConte (LeCompte, b.1727), distinguished French Huguenots of New Rochelle. Her maternal grandparents, Mary Bayeux and Dr. Richard Charlton (d.1777), lived on Staten Island, where Dr. Charlton was pastor at Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church.
After the death of his first wife, Dr. Bayley married (1778) Charlotte Amelia Barclay (c.1759-1805), of the Jacobus James Roosevelt lineage of New York. However, the marriage ended in a separation as a result of marital conflict. The couple had seven children, three daughters and four sons. Among them was Guy Carleton Bayley (1786-1859), whose son, James Roosevelt Bayley (1814-1877), converted to Roman Catholicism and became the first bishop of Newark (1853-1872) and eighth archbishop of Baltimore (1872-1877).
Elizabeth and her sister were rejected by their stepmother. On account of her father's travel abroad for medical studies, the girls lived temporarily in New Rochelle, New York, with their paternal uncle, William Bayley (1745-1811), and his wife, Sarah Pell Bayley. When her stepmother and father separated, Elizabeth experienced a period of darkness. She reflected about this period of depression in later years in her journal, titled Dear Remembrances, and expressed her relief at not taking the drug laudanum, an opium derivative: "This wretched reasoning--laudanum--the praise and thanks of excessive joy not to have done the 'horrid deed'--thoughts and promise of eternal gratitude." Elizabeth had a natural bent toward contemplation; she loved nature, poetry and music, especially the piano. She was given to introspection and frequently made entries in her journal expressing her sentiments, religious aspirations and favorite passages from her reading.
Elizabeth wed William Magee Seton (1768-1803), a son of William Seton, Sr. (1746-1798) and Rebecca Curson Seton (c.1746-c.1775), on January 25, 1794, in the Manhattan home of Mary Bayley Post. Samuel Provoost (1742-1815), the first Episcopal bishop of New York, witnessed the wedding vows of the couple.
We offer additional resources to learn more about St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in the Seton Heritage Shoppe, (link to Shoppe) such as the exclusive book Elizabeth Bayley Seton 1774-1821 by Annabelle M. Melville: “The two years before her marriage were trying. She seems to have had no place where she could stay, and spent part of the time with her mother's relatives…”
Biography of
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Upcoming Events
Emmitsburg Community Day
On Saturday, June 30, from 9 am to 5 pm, Emmitsburg will celebrate its annual Community Day. This year, the Shrine will hold the Seton Heritage Expo on our grounds. The event will feature Civil War reenactors, heritage demonstrations, living historians tours, children’s activities, and more. Read More
Songs from the Camps, A FREE Civil War Picnic Concert
The distinctive down-home sounds of banjos, fiddles, tambourines and mandolins, which entertained soldiers on the battlefield camps, will fill the air on Sunday, July 8 at the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton as two Civil War era bands perform a FREE picnic concert on our grounds. The concert will feature the Hancock String Band and the 2nd South Carolina String Band, both acclaimed for playing authentic Civil War era music. Read More
Annual Seton Legacy Classic Golf Tournament
Are you ready to play some golf, socialize with local VIPs and businesses, and just have some good-hearted fun! Join us on Sunday, June 24 at 1:30 pm at The Links at Gettysburg for our annual Seton Legacy Classic golf tournament. Read More
Civil War Tours
Take a guided tour to learn how the the Sisters and Daughters of Charity served the soldiers during the war that divided our nation, and visit the site where Union officers conducted a war council to prepare for the battle of Gettysburg. Read More
News & Events
Summer Renovations and Revised Shrine Hours
You are visiting the National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton at a very special time – a time of growth, a time of expansion, and a time of inspiration. Our roots in this Valley of Blessings, as Mother Seton referred to this area, are deep and strong – deep from the years of history that took place here and strong from the enduring legacy of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. Our mission is to promote the life and legacy of the Elizabeth Ann Seton as a source of inspiration and encouragement for all people. As part of this mission we are expanding our spiritual and historical enrichment programs for all ages, pilgrimages, retreats, and workshops. Our museum will also be expanding its historical exhibits and offerings. All of this expansion results in the need to grow physically as well as spiritually! Much growth has already taken place and there is more to be done. As part of this growth, the HVAC system is being replaced in part of our facility, which includes the Basilica and some of the Museum areas. We appreciate your understanding during our time of growth, and it is our utmost priority to provide a comfortable and memorable visit for our patrons. Many of the areas are unaffected by the HVAC construction, and they will be cool and ready for you to visit! Read More
