The Sacred Hearts Convent, then & now...


During the Civil War Rose feared for her daughters life. While on a trip abroad as an emmisary of Jefferson Davis to garner sympathy among the European community, Rose visited Paris. She left her daughter  at the Sacred Hearts Convent.  Little did she know at the time that she would die on a return trip to America leaving Little Rose motherless at the Convent. Upon learning of her mother's death, Little Rose asked to be baptized that she might better pray for her beloved mother. 

Below is some information on the convent and some correspondance this author had with oficials of the convent to learn about Little Rose's stay there....

The history of the Rodin Museum dates back to 1728, when Abraham Peyrenc de Moras, a rich financer, dreamt of building 'the finest town house in Paris'. The plans for this mansion were drawn up by Jean Aubert. In 1732, the Peyrenc family converted it into an elegant residence. From 1737 to 1753, the mansion was rented to the Duchesse du Maine. In 1820, the property was sold to the Compagnie des Dames du Sacre Coeur de Jesus, founded by Sophie Barat. Afterwards 1904, the property became residences for artists. In 1911, the French government bought the mansion and the public converted it into the 'Rodin museum'. In 1916, Rodin agreed to donate all his collections to the State and in 1919, two years after his death, the museum opened its doors to the public. Apart of the museum where there are most of the significant works of Rodin, there are beautiful gardens around the museum, where also emerged several Rodin's sculptures. The setting is intimate, an extraordinary enclosure of vegetation. Everyone stops to enjoy them! 


Address: 77, rue de Varenne. 75007 Paris
Phone: 01 44 18 61 10
Directions: Line 13 : Varennes Bus: 69 (bus stop Grenelle Bellechasse) Bus: 82, 87, 92 (bus stop Saint Francois-Xavier) Car park: Boulevard des Invalides Entrance fee: Full rate 5 Euros Reduced rate 3 Euros Garden alone 1 Euro
Website: http://www.musee-rodin.fr


-----Original Message-----
From: John W. O'Neal, II
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 10:30 PM
Subject: Help

Hello, my name is John O'Neal and I am researching an ancestor Rose Greenhow, daughter of Rose O'Neale Greenhow. During the Civil War, Rose took her daughter to Paris and enrolled her in
the Convent of The Sacred Heart. Rose Greenhow grew up and eventually died at the convent in Paris. Is there any way I can find out where this convent was and determine if they have any death records for Rose.
I can supply more information if needed to process this request.
Thank you for your time,
John W. O'Neal, II
The O'Neal Genealogy Association

Subject: RE: Help
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 14:28:05 -0500
To: <johnoneal@onealwebsite.com>

Dear Mr. O'Neal,
The Convent your ancestor would have attended was Pensionnat du Sacre-Coeur, 77 rue de Varenne. It is no longer in existence, but the building now houses the Rodin Museum. The records from that establishment, if they exist, would be at the Archives of the Province of France of the Society of the Sacred Heart in Poitiers. You may be aware that all religious were expelled from France in the early 1900's. Records of some schools were lost at the time, but it is quite possible that you will find something. Please write to Sister Maryvonne Duclaux, Archivist, Centre de la Roseraie-les Feuillants
Be sure to indicate that your message is for Sister Duclaux. She knows English so you should have no difficulty.
Best wishes for your search.
Frances Gimber, RSCJ, Archivist

  
Subject: Re: Help
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 17:09:42 -0400
From: "John W. O'Neal, II"
Reply-To: johnoneal@onealwebsite.com

Dear Mr. Gimber,

Thank you very much for your prompt reply. I truly appreciate the help you have given me and will follow your advice and contact Sister Maryvonne Duclaux.

Regards, John
John W. O'Neal, II




Subject: Archives help
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2003 16:04:17 -0400
From: "John W. O'Neal, II"
Reply-To: johnoneal@onealwebsite.com

Dear Sister Maryvonne Duclaux,

Can you please help me find some information on my ancestor, Rose (Greenhow) Duvall? She was born in Washington, DC, USA about 1953. During the Civil War, about 1863 she was brought to Paris by her mother Rose O'Neale Greenhow and enrolled at Pensionnat du Sacre-Coeur, 77 rue de Varenne. She returned to America when she was about 17 yrs old. Later in life, it is said she returned to France, probably to the convent, where she remained until her death at an unknown time. I am a family historian and am studying the family history of my O'Neale family in early America and would appreciate any information about Rose that may be found in your archives.

I received a letter from Frances Gimber, who advised that I should contact you. He advised that you would be the most likely person to help me in my search. I have attached his letter below. If you feel
there is someone else I should contact regarding this matter, please let me know.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this letter and for any assistance you can provide.

John W. O'Neal, II
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Mr. O'Neal,
I received your E.Mail asking some information on your ancestor, Rose Greenhow. Here is what I found in our school registers:

Rose Greenhow entered the Sacred Heart School at rue de Varenne in 1864 but the month is not mentioned. Her parents were Mr Robert Greenhow and Ms. Rose O'Neal. She was born on April 2, 1853,
made her first communion on May 25 1865 and received Confirmation on May 26 1865. She left the Sacred Heart in 1866. No address in Paris is mentioned.
We don't know what happened between 1866 and 1870, but probably the war between France and Prussia in 1870 was a good reason to leave France. As she did not become a religious (I checked our lists) and as we had no ladies staying with us, I cannot tell anything else.
However she made her first communion on Ascension day, the day our foundress Saint Madeleine Sophie, 85 years old,  died (at 11 pm). She had always had very special,  charming and loving relationships with the children of the Primary School, and especially the ones preparing for First Communion, with a common desire to encounter their God.
Until 3 days before she died, she was still desiring to see them. On the 26th, they visited her on her deathbed, and no doubt this was a fond memory for Rose.
Sincerely yours
Maryvonne Duclaux, rscj.
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