Frances Dickinson (prior) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frances Dickinson
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| Born | July 12, 1755 |
| Died | March 27, 1830 Port Tobacco Village
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| Nationality | Great Britain |
Frances Dickinson (July 12, 1755 – March 27, 1830) was a British nun. She was also known by her religious name, Clare Joseph of the Heart of Jesus. She became the leader, or prioress, of a special group of nuns called Carmelites in Port Tobacco, Maryland.
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The Life of Frances Dickinson
Frances Dickinson was born in London, England, in 1755. Her mother's first name is not known, but her family name was Halford before she married George Dickinson. When Frances was 17, her family paid money, called a dowry, for her to join the Carmelite nuns. This happened in Antwerp, which is now in Belgium, in 1772.
Before joining the nuns, Frances studied in Paris with another group of nuns called the Ursulines. In 1773, she took her religious vows and became a full nun. This is called "professing." She chose the religious name "Clare Joseph of the Sacred Heart."
Moving to America
Some Carmelite leaders had an idea to start a new monastery in America. They wanted to have a stronger presence there. Two important prioresses, Bernadine Matthews and Mary Margaret Brent, helped with this plan. Mary Margaret Brent was born in Maryland.
In 1776, Maryland agreed to allow freedom of religion. Then, in 1783, peace treaties were signed. These events made it a good time to create a new Carmelite community in America.
Founding the Monastery
On October 15, 1790, a new monastery was started. Four Carmelite nuns who had been living in Belgium moved to America. Three of them were Americans: Mary Aloysia Matthews, Mary Eleanor Matthews, and their aunt, Bernadine Matthews. Bernadine was expected to lead the new group.
The fourth nun was Frances Dickinson, who was English. Like many English Roman Catholic girls, she had gone to Belgium to become a nun. One of the first things the nuns did was build a place to live. This building is still standing today.
Her Important Role as Prioress
Frances Dickinson became the very first prioress of the new Carmelite monastery in Port Tobacco, Maryland. This meant she was the leader of the nuns there.
Her Legacy and the Monastery
Frances Dickinson passed away in Port Tobacco Village in 1830. She was the first and also the last prioress at the Port Tobacco monastery. The year after she died, the nuns were told to move. They left the property and went to a bigger city, Baltimore, across the Chesapeake Bay.
The building where the nuns lived in Port Tobacco is called Mount Carmel Monastery. It is a very old and important building. In 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special place that is important to American history.
