Sister Ann Gertrude Wightt

Death notifications from the New York Evening Post, Thursday November 21, 1867: Nov 19, Richmond Va, Ann G Wightt of Georgetown, DC

Joseph Mannard (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) His paper, “‘Enveloped in a Fog of Mystery’: The Strange Elopement of Sr. Ann Gertrude Wightt from Georgetown Visitation in 1831,” considers the first documented “runaway nun” in U.S. history. The paper is part of a planned larger project on Wightt’s life, including her post-convent years, and her significance for the Catholic Church in the early American republic

Ann Gertrude Wightt was not listed in John M Wightt's will. A reasonable explanation was she had joined a convent by then and in doing so, would not receive an inheritance.

In the concluding years of the Van Ness reign of hospitality, Miss Ann Gertrude Wightt was the hostess. She had personal beauty and conversational talent; she was a welcomed guest in high society ; she was an intimate of America's beloved, Dolly Madison. She was a cousin of Mrs. Van Ness and was born on the Wightt farm in the environs of Washington. She is enveloped in a fog of mystery which the sun of curiosity will never penetrate.

Note: The Wightt farm would be "Inclosure," which John M Wightt inherited from his father. As Ann Burnes is referenced as growing up on Inclosure, owned by her brother, this would be John M Wightt's father.

From an idealistic conception she became a nun in the convent of the Sisters of Visitation in Georgetown. She took the name Sister Gertrude. Mrs. Smith says : "Sister Gertrude I knew well in her childhood, saw her now and then through the convent grates and on one occasion when accidentally alone with her, offered if she wished to leave it, to communicate her desire to her relatives, but she then said she was confined more by her own inclination, than by her vows, or the walls that surrounded her."

In the spring of 1831, Sister Gertrude had a change of inclination. She donned a hat and a wrap of one of her convent pupils and made an escape. She made her way to the Van Ness mansion. A priest there in the presence of the General received from her the announcement of her firm determination not to return. She did not give the cause of her change of heart and no cause of those offered has been verified- that is the mystery. An unfounded report that the Catholics intended to recover her by force nearly caused a mob.

Miss Wightt at first lived with Madame Iturbide, former Empress of Mexico, as a daughter and in charge of the real daughters. Senorita Isis Iturbide made her a substantial testamentary acknowledgment of affection.

A Van Ness who associated with Miss Wightt says she was short, stout and jolly; that she travelled extensively abroad and that her life had thrilling adventure, of which was her capture by the brigands of Mexico. George Alfred Townsend, Ben Perley Poore and Marian Gouveneur in the same key have made interesting sketches.

Miss Wightt died of apoplexy in Richmond, Virginia, November 19, 1867, at the residence of Colonel Arthur Anderson. The funeral services were held November 21, in the chapel of Oak Hill Cemetery. She is interred in the Peter's plot and a modest monument marks the mortal.

Ann Wightt BIRTH unknown DEATH 19 Nov 1867 BURIAL Oak Hill Cemetery Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA PLOT Chapel Hill, Lot 544. MEMORIAL ID 55241189 · View Source