Ellen was born 24 December 1819 in Traugh, Willville, Co. Monaghan, eldest among three daughters and two sons of James and Mary Anne McKenna.
In 1849 she emigrated to New York, arriving on the Emperor (2 April 1849), and taught in a small private school in Schenectady, NY.
"When her youngest brother, John, a priest in New York, assumed responsibility for the family at home Ellen entered the Convent of Mercy, NYC (25 September 1855)."
Sister Mary Augustine, Sister of Mercy, American civil war nurse and teacher.
During the American Civil War 106 Sister of Mercy from Pittsburgh, Chicago, Baltimore, New York, Cincinnati and Vicksburg nursed both union and confederate soldiers.
"On 29 September 1863 Mother M. Augustine became superior of the foundation established at Greenbush near Albany, where she opened schools for boys, girls, and infants (3 November). In September 1864 she was recalled to New York; on 10 October 1864 she was elected mistress of the novices, and from 28 May 1867 to 12 May 1877 served as superior of the convent. She established an industrial school for orphan and destitute children, and a convent to serve as a rest house for the NYC sisters at Balmville in Newburgh, Orange county, in 1875. " [1]
Ellen McKenna 60 yrs, supervisor, resided in 1880 at St Joseph's Industrial School and Home for Homeless Children, 75 81st street, NY city[2]
died 2 Aug 1883
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Categories: Catholic Nuns | Nurses, United States Civil War