Biography of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: Social Prominence
William Magee Seton, a descendant of the Setons of Parbroath, was the oldest of thirteen children of his father's two marriages. The elder Seton married (1767) Rebecca Curson (c.1746-1775). A year following her death, he married (1776) his sister-in-law, Anna Maria Curson (d.1792). Educated in England, William joined his father and his brother, James, as founding partners in the import-export mercantile firm the William Seton Company, which later became Seton, Maitland and Company in 1793. He had visited important counting houses in Europe in 1788 and thus eventually became a friend of Filippo Filicchi (1763-1816), a renowned merchant of Livorno, Italy.
Socially prominent in New York, the Setons belonged to the fashionable Trinity Episcopal Church. Elizabeth was a devout communicant there under the influence of Rev. John Henry Hobart (1775-1830, later bishop), who was her spiritual director. Elizabeth, along with her sister-in-law Rebecca Mary Seton (1780-1804), her soul-friend and dearest confidant, nursed the sick and dying among family, friends and needy neighbors. Elizabeth was among the founders and charter members of The Society for the Relief of Poor Widows with Small Children (1797), and she also served as treasurer for the organization.
Elizabeth and William Magee Seton were blessed with five children: Anna Maria (1795-1812), William (1796-1868), Richard Bayley (1798-1823), Catherine Charlton (1800-1891) and Rebecca Mary (1802-1816).
Anna Maria, who had accompanied her parents to Italy in 1803, became afflicted with tuberculosis as an adolescent and made her vows as a Sister of Charity on her deathbed. Rebecca fell on ice sometime before 1812, causing a hip injury which resulted in lameness and experienced an early death from tuberculosis. Both Anna Maria and Rebecca are buried in the original cemetery of the Sisters of Charity on the grounds of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland. When sailing with the United States Navy as a civil servant, Richard died at age 25 off the coast of Liberia onboard the ship Oswego.
Catherine Charlton (also called Josephine) was beautiful and witty. She distinguished herself by her linguistic and musical talents, developed at St. Joseph's Academy, Emmitsburg. She was the only Seton present at her mother's death. Catherine later lived with her brother William and his family and traveled to Europe with them several times before entering the Sisters of Mercy in New York City (1846). As Mother Mary Catherine, she devoted herself for more than forty years to prison outreach in New York.
William received a commission as lieutenant in the United States Navy in February 1826 and married (1832) Emily Prime (1804-1854). Seven of their nine children lived to adulthood, including Archbishop Robert Seton (1839-1927) and Helen (1844-1906), another New York Sister of Mercy (Sister Mary Catherine, 1879-1906).
We offer additional resources to learn more about St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in the Seton Heritage Shoppe, such as the exclusive book Elizabeth Bayley Seton 1774-1821 by Annabelle M. Melville: “Luxurious tastes developed rather generally throughout the colonial cities during the Revolution, but nowhere more so than in New York City…”
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
