Andrew White (Jesuit)

| image = Andreas Vitus.jpg

| image = Andreas Vitus.jpg

| image_size = 175

| image_size = 175

| caption = Andrew White baptizing the chief Chitomachon

| caption = Reverend White baptizing the chief Chitomachon

| birth_date = 1579

| birth_date = 1579

| birth_place = [[London]], [[Kingdom of England]]

| birth_place = [[London]], [[Kingdom of England]]

}}

}}

'''Andrew White''', SJ (1579 &ndash; December 27, 1656) was an English [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]] [[Catholic missionary|missionary]] who was involved in the founding of the [[Province of Maryland|Maryland colony]].<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Andrew White}}</ref> He was a [[chronicle]]r of the early colony, and his writings are a primary source on the land, the Native Americans of the area, and the Jesuit mission in [[North America]].

'''Andrew White''', SJ (1579 &ndash; December 27, 1656) was an English [[Jesuits|Jesuit]] Catholic missionary who was involved in the founding of the [[Province of Maryland|Maryland colony]].<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Andrew White}}</ref> A [[chronicle]]r of of Colonial Maryland, his writings remain a primary source on the land, the Native Americans and the Jesuit mission in [[North America]].

For his efforts in converting and educating the Native American population, he is frequently referred to as the "[[wikt:apostle|Apostle]] of [[Maryland]]." He is considered a forefather of [[Georgetown University]], and is memorialized in the [[List of Georgetown University buildings|White-Gravenor building]]

For his efforts in converting and educating the Native American population, White has been frequently referred to as the "[[wikt:apostle|Apostle]] of [[Maryland]]." He is considered a forefather of [[Georgetown University]], and is memorialized in the [[List of Georgetown University buildings|White-Gravenor building]]

==Early life in Europe==

==Early life in Europe==

Andrew White was born in [[London]] in 1579 to a Catholic family. Since Catholic schools were banned in England, his family sent him at age 14 to attend the [[English College, Douai|English College]] at [[Douai]], [[France]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |date=1886 |title=Very Rev. Andrew White, S. J., the Apostle of Maryland |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/45213111 |journal=Catholic Historical Researches |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=13–20 |issn=2157-4634}}</ref> In 1595, White went to Spain to attend the [[English College, Valladolid|English College of St. Alban's]] in [[Valladolid]]. He then continued his education in [[Seville]].

Born in [[London]] in 1579, he began formal education at age 14 at the [[English College, Douai|English College]] at [[Douai]], [[France]]. He entered [[English College, Valladolid|English College of St. Alban's]] in [[Valladolid]], [[Spain]], in 1595 at the same time as other notable English [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] priests, including the later Saint and martyr [[Thomas Garnet]]. He sought further education in [[Seville]], and was [[Ordination|ordained]] at [[Douai]] in 1605, after which he returned to England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stmaryscity.org/History/bio%20Fthr%20Andrew%20White.html |title=Father Andrew White |work=St. Mary's City History |date=2007-01-19 |access-date=2007-07-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928011339/http://www.stmaryscity.org/History/bio%20Fthr%20Andrew%20White.html |archive-date=2007-09-28 }}</ref> Caught up in a wave of [[Anti-Catholicism|anti-Catholic]] arrests following the [[Gunpowder Plot]], he was arrested and in 1606, banished from England. Moving to [[Leuven]] in [[Belgium]], he joined the [[Society of Jesus]] on February 1, 1607. Despite the threat of [[capital punishment]], White returned in 1609 to preach in [[Southern England]]. At the same time, he took positions as [[Prefect#Ecclesiastical|prefect]] of the seminaries at Louvain and [[Liège]], between which and his English missions he split his time.

White was [[Ordination|ordained]] a priest in Douai in 1605. Despite the risks to Catholic priests in England, he returned there to minister to a group of hidden Catholics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stmaryscity.org/History/bio%20Fthr%20Andrew%20White.html |title=Father Andrew White |work=St. Mary's City History |date=2007-01-19 |access-date=2007-07-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928011339/http://www.stmaryscity.org/History/bio%20Fthr%20Andrew%20White.html |archive-date=2007-09-28 }}</ref> Following the 1605 [[Gunpowder Plot]], White was arrested and in 1606 banished from England. Moving to [[Leuven]] in what was then the [[Spanish Netherlands|Spanish Netherlands,]] he joined the [[Society of Jesus]] on February 1, 1607. <ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Father Andrew White {{!}} |url=https://oldsite.hsmcdigshistory.org/research/history/father-andrew-white/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore|Sir George Calvert, the first Baron Baltimore]] (1579-1632), whom White is credited in helping to turn to [[Catholicism]] in 1625, wrote to White from his colony on the [[Avalon Peninsula]] in [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]] after 1628. White's further interest in America is shown a letter from [[Superior General of the Society of Jesus|Superior General]] [[Mutio Vitelleschi]] in a letter dated March 3, 1629, approving a mission to America. Though Sir George Calvert died in 1632, his eldest son, [[Cecilius Calvert]] (1605-1675), inherited the title as second Baron Baltimore, continued the colonization program of his father. Lord Baltimore had wanted White to help found a new colony in the northern [[Chesapeake Bay]] which had been chartered by [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]] on June 20, 1632. White himself wrote of the benefits of converting the native population, and in a document dated February 10, 1633, he specifically advocates Catholic settlement in "lord Baltimore's Plantation in Mary-land." He describes to potential financiers a paradisaical land with majestic forests and fruitful soil, advertising {{convert|2000|acre|km2|0}} of land for each potential settler.

Defying the threat of execution White returned in 1609 to preach in [[Southern England]]. He would spend the next ten years there. White made his solemn vows to the Jesuits in 1619 and they sent him to [[Valladolid]] in Spain to teach in a English novitiate that was recently established by the Jesuits. During this period, he also held positions as [[Prefect#Ecclesiastical|prefect]] of the seminaries at Leuven and [[Liège]], also in the Spanish Netherlands.<ref name=":1" />

After a few years in Europe, White wanted to go back to missionary work. He returned to England, where he met [[George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore|Sir George Calvert, the first Baron Baltimore]] (1579-1632) In 1625, White reportedly persuaded Calvert to convert to Catholicism. George Calvert around 1628 wrote to White from his colony on the [[Avalon Peninsula]] in [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]], peaking White's interest in the new British colonies in North America. White requested permission from [[Superior General of the Society of Jesus|Superior General]] [[Mutio Vitelleschi]], head of the Jesuit order, to organize a mission to the colonies. Vitelleschi approved White's request in 1629.

[[Cecilius Calvert]] (1605-1675), the Catholic son of the deceased George Calvert and the second Baron Baltimore, received a charter from [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]] on June 20, 1632 to establish a colony in the northern [[Chesapeake Bay]] region. White wrote about he benefits of converting the Native American population. In document dated February 10, 1633, White specifically advocates Catholic settlement in "lord Baltimore's Plantation in Mary-land." He describes to potential financiers a paradisiacal land with majestic forests and fruitful soil, advertising {{convert|2000|acre|km2|0}} of land for each potential settler.

==Colonization in Maryland==

==Colonization in Maryland==

[[Image:White piscataway.jpg|thumb|upright|Prayers written by Father Andrew White, S.J. between 1634 and 1640 in [[English language|English]], [[Latin language|Latin]], and [[Piscataway language|Piscataway]] languages]]

[[Image:White piscataway.jpg|thumb|upright|Prayers written by Reverend White between 1634 and 1640 in [[English language|English]], [[Latin language|Latin]], and [[Piscataway language|Piscataway]] languages]]

On November 22, 1633, White set sail from [[Cowes]], [[England]] in a three-ship expedition to North America. Traveling with White was Lord [[Leonard Calvert]] (1606-1647), the younger brother of Cecilius Calvert (1605–1675), who was to serve as the first proprietary governor of the Maryland Colony. Two Jesuit priests, Reverends [[John Altham|John Gravenor]] and Thomas Gervase, were also part of the expedition.<ref>{{cite book|first=William Coleman|last=Nevils|title=Miniatures of Georgetown: Tercentennial Causeries|year=1934|publisher=Georgetown University Press|location=Washington, D.C. |oclc=8224468| pages= 1–25}}</ref>

On November 22, 1633, he took Lord Baltimore's offer and set sail from [[Cowes]], [[England]] on the [[Isle of Wight]] with planned proprietary first [[Governor of Maryland]], Lord [[Leonard Calvert]] (1606-1647), (younger brother of [[Cecilius Calvert]] (1605–1675), second [[Baron Baltimore|Lord Baltimore]]) and fellow Jesuits [[John Altham|John Altham Gravenor]] and Thomas Gervase on ''[[The Ark (English ship)|The Ark]]'', one of George Calvert's ships, accompanied by ''[[Maryland Dove|The Dove]]'', crossing the [[North Atlantic Ocean]].<ref>{{cite book|first=William Coleman|last=Nevils|title=Miniatures of Georgetown: Tercentennial Causeries|year=1934|publisher=Georgetown University Press|location=Washington, D.C. |oclc=8224468| pages= 1–25}}</ref> After a brief stop further south in [[Jamestown, Virginia]], to consult with colonial authorities there and to resupply, the ships moved north up the [[Chesapeake Bay]], with their landing on March 25, 1634, on [[St. Clement's Island]] off the north shore of the [[Potomac River]], slightly upstream from the [[Chesapeake Bay]], marks the birth of the colony of the [[History of Maryland#Colonial Maryland|Province of Maryland]]. The anniversary of this date is now celebrated annually state-wide as [[Maryland Day]]. By July of that year, White had written his first discussion on the new colony, titled ''A Relation of the Sucessefull Beginnings of the Lord Baltimore's Plantation in Maryland''. Sections of this were used to further advertise the colony. In erecting a large cross, then celebrating a [[Eucharist (Catholic Church)|Catholic Mass]] of thanksgiving that day, he became the first priest to do so in one of the original [[Thirteen Colonies|thirteen English colonies]].<ref>Earlier Catholic masses in what became the [[United States]] were celebrated in [[St. Augustine, Florida]], in 1565, in the [[Ajacan mission]] of the Spanish Jesuits at the mouth of the [[Chesapeake Bay]] in 1570, and perhaps at the French Jesuit mission of Saint Sauveur in Acadia (Maine) in 1609</ref>

After a four month voyage, the three ships arrived at the [[Jamestown, Virginia|Jamestown Colony]] to resupply. They then moved north up Chesapeake Bay. They landed on March 25, 1634, on [[St. Clement's Island]] off the north shore of the [[Potomac River]]. That day, White erected a large cross and celebrated a mass of thanksgiving. He became the first priest to celebrate a mass in the original [[Thirteen Colonies|thirteen English colonies]].<ref>Earlier Catholic masses in what became the [[United States]] were celebrated in [[St. Augustine, Florida]], in 1565, in the [[Ajacan mission]] of the Spanish Jesuits at the mouth of the [[Chesapeake Bay]] in 1570, and perhaps at the French Jesuit mission of Saint Sauveur in Acadia (Maine) in 1609</ref><ref name=":2" />

White wrote in his "Annual Letters of the English Province," while recounting speaking to a Piscataway man named Archihu, that White's purpose in this area was "not to make war, but out of good will towards them, in order to extend civilization and instruction to his ignorant race, and show them the way to heaven."<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Foley|first=Henry|title=Records of the English Province of the Society of Jesus : historic facts illustrative of the labours and sufferings of its members in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries|publisher=Robarts - University of Toronto. London : Burns and Oates.|year=1875|url=https://archive.org/details/recordsofenglish00fole/page/334/mode/2up|pages=351–354|language=English}}</ref> In these letters, Andrew White also recounts colonizing the land St. Marys sits on. Originally, “in order to avoid every appearance of injustice” White's party “bought” the land from the Indigenous, paying in “axes, hatchets, rakes, and several yards of cloth” in exchange for “thirty miles of that land.” <ref name=":0" /> The Yaocomico's had planned to leave the area anyway and agreed to turn over their village to the English settlers.<ref name=":0" /> White recounts the miracle of how the Indigenous people “[surrendered] themselves like lambs."<ref name=":0" />

In July 1634, White finished his first writing on the new colony, titled ''A Relation of the Sucessefull Beginnings of the Lord Baltimore's Plantation in Maryland''. Sections of this article were later used to further advertise the colony in England.

White spent most of the next decade in [[St. Mary's City, Maryland|St. Mary's City]], working on efforts to convert Indigenous peoples and children to Catholicism. In 1637 they were joined by fellow Jesuits [[Thomas Copley]] and [[Ferdinand Poulton]], and between 1634 and 1650 there averaged four permanent Jesuits in the Maryland Provincial Colony.<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle= Maryland}}</ref> To further his missionary work, he wrote dictionaries and translated the [[catechism]] into the native languages. On July 5, 1640, he famously converted Chitomachon, the chief of the [[Piscataway Indian Nation|Piscataway Indians]], to [[Christianity]]. The chief was [[Baptism|baptized]] as Charles. He later baptized a daughter of the [[Patuxent River|Patuxent]] Indians, and much of her tribe.

In his "Annual Letters of the English Province," White described a conversation with Archihu, a member of the [[Piscataway people|Piscataway]] people. White said that his intentions towards the Native Americans was;<blockquote>"...not to make war, but out of good will towards them, in order to extend civilization and instruction to his ignorant race, and show them the way to heaven."<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Foley|first=Henry|title=Records of the English Province of the Society of Jesus : historic facts illustrative of the labours and sufferings of its members in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries|publisher=Robarts - University of Toronto. London : Burns and Oates.|year=1875|url=https://archive.org/details/recordsofenglish00fole/page/334/mode/2up|pages=351–354|language=English}}</ref> </blockquote>In these letters, White also recounts colonizing the land that is the present day site of [[St. Mary's City, Maryland|St. Mary's City, Maryland.]] Originally, “in order to avoid every appearance of injustice” White's party “bought” the land from the Indigenous, paying in “axes, hatchets, rakes, and several yards of cloth” in exchange for “thirty miles of that land.” <ref name=":0" /> According to White, the [[Yaocomico]] people had planned to leave the area anyway and agreed to turn over their village to the English settlers.<ref name=":0" /> White recounts the miracle of how the Indigenous people “[surrendered] themselves like lambs."<ref name=":0" />

In 1933, the architect and writer [[Christopher La Farge (author)|Christopher La Farge]], for the upcoming Tricentenary, 300th Anniversary of the founding of Maryland, designed a monument to Father White that is located just outside St. Mary's City.<ref>LaFarge, John, S.J. ''The Manner Is Ordinary''. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1954, pp. 217-18.</ref>

White spent most of the next decade in St. Mary's, working to convert Native American adults and and children to Catholicism. In 1637. the Jesuits Reverend [[Thomas Copley]] and [[Ferdinand Poulton]] arrived in the colony; between 1634 and 1650, there averaged four permanent Jesuits there.<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle= Maryland}}</ref> To further his missionary work, White wrote dictionaries and translated the [[catechism]] into the native languages. On July 5, 1640, he famously converted Chitomachon, the chief of the Piscataway people, to [[Christianity]]. The chief was [[Baptism|baptized]] as Charles. White later baptized a daughter of the [[Patuxent River|Patuxent]] people along with most of her tribe.

==Return to England==

==Return to England==

The beginning of the [[English Civil War]] in 1642, with its conflicts between Catholics and Protestants, ended White's mission in the Maryland Colony. In 1644, [[Richard Ingle]], a Protestant [[privateer]], assembled a party of [[Puritans]] who had been expelled from Jamestown and seized St. Mary's. They imprisoned the colonial leadership, looted Catholic properties and burned most of the town. <ref name=":1" />

The [[English Civil War]] (1642–1651) was to cut short his missionary work. In 1644, [[Richard Ingle]] and [[Puritan]] colonists from the neighboring [[Colony of Virginia|Virginia]] colony of [[Jamestown, Virginia|Jamestown]], which had previously rebuffed George Calvert's visit, first raided the colonial capital at [[St. Mary's City, Maryland|St. Mary's City]]. Ingle succeeded in burning the town and, with the aid of [[William Claiborne]], (who earlier operated a trading post on [[Kent Island]] in the Chesapeake), in controlling the [[Province of Maryland]] colony. White was again arrested for his 'evil' preaching, and in 1645 he was sent with Thomas Copley in chains to London. Once there, he was tried for the crime of returning to England after being banished in 1606, which carried the punishment of death. He escaped this fate by arguing that his return was not of his own will. His petitions to return to Maryland denied, he spent the last decade of his life quietly in England until his death on December 27, 1656.

Ingle arrested White for his 'evil' preaching and sent him in 1645 to London as a prisoner. The London courts then prosecuted White for defying his 1606 banishment from England, which carried the punishment of death. He would remain in [[Newgate Prison]] until 1648, voluntarily fasting twice a week on bread and water. That year, White successfully argued that since he was transported to England by force, he had not broken the law. The court release him from prison but banned him from returning to Maryland. <ref name=":1" />

When the Calvert family regained control of the Maryland Colony, White petitioned his Jesuit superiors to return there, but they denied his requests. White spent the last decade of his life living quietly in England until his death on December 27, 1656.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />

== Legacy ==

In 1933, the architect and writer [[Christopher La Farge (author)|Christopher La Farge]], for the upcoming Tricentenary, 300th Anniversary of the founding of Maryland, designed a monument to White that is located just outside St. Mary's City.<ref>LaFarge, John, S.J. ''The Manner Is Ordinary''. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1954, pp. 217-18.</ref>

Father Andrew White School in [[Leonardtown, Maryland]] was founded in 1954 and named in honor of Andrew White.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About – Father Andrew White, S.J. School |url=https://fatherandrewwhite.org/our-school/about/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Works==

==Works==