Sarah M. Brownson

Daughter of Orestes A. Brownson, b. at Chelsea, Massachusetts, 7 June, 1839; married William J. Tenney, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, 26 November, 1873; died at Elizabeth, 30 October, 1876. She wrote some literary criticisms for her father’s “Review”, and many articles, stories, and poems which appeared mainly in Catholic magazines. Her other works were: “Marian Elwood, or How Girls Live” (New York, 1863); “At Anchor; a story of the American Civil War” (New York, 1865); “Heremore Brandon; or the Fortunes of a Newsboy” (in “The Catholic World”, 1869); and “Life of Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin, Prince and Priest” (New York, 1873). Her novels are interesting, genuine, and original, and all that she published is stamped with her distinguishing traits of character, and shows that she thought for herself, expressed herself freely, with good sense and judgment, without undue bitterness, and with great benevolence towards the poor; and she scatters over her pages many excellent reflections. The life of Gallitzin is her principal production, for which she spared no pains to collect such materials as remained. She more than once visited the scenes of the missionary’s labours, and formed the acquaintance of priests and others who had known him, collecting such facts and anecdotes of him as they remembered. It is a sincere and conscientious tribute to the rare virtues and worth of an extraordinary man, devoted priest, and humble missionary.