Prior to the Civil War, a woman was born in Stillwater, New York in April 1836. She was from the family of the Hewitt’s, and was named Catherine May “Kate” Hewitt. Her family was quite poor and it would lead to her and her older brother to be orphans after their mother passed away. The comparison between Ms. Hewitt and Mr. Reynolds was their similarities and differences prior to meeting. He was born to a wealthy family however, both lived along the banks of the Susquehanna River, only two hundred miles apart. However, Ms. Hewitt was a strong and confident young woman who was extremely intelligent and she managed to get an amazing education.
Around 1856, as Katharine was reaching her twentieth birthday, she took to the wagon roads and shipping lanes and head towards California. Her original reason to move west was to work as a governess for an extremely wealthy family near San Francisco. However, within a few years of reaching the West, her career wasn’t what she intended. She had to fend for herself for food and during the end of the Gold Rush, and resorted to the “world’s oldest profession” in order to live. Her actions to survive were making her conscious want to change and live a better life, instead of giving her body up for money. This rebirth of her mind and body made her book a trip to the East Coast to join the Daughters of Charity in Philadelphia.
She left San Francisco aboard the steamer ship SS Golden Age which traveled often towards Panama City. In July 20, 1860, she embarked for the East. Note, the Panama Canal didn’t open till the 1880s. On the voyage, she met a soldier who was traveling East as well. His name was John F. Reynolds. Even prior to the Civil War, she learned that John fought bravely during the Mexico-American War. She learned that he may have lost his life twice already, but by a pure miracle both times, he survived. He may have been a passenger on the SS San Francisco and another ship that nearly sank along the Columbia River. Reynolds received orders to assume command at West Point.
Their exact interaction on the voyage is unknown, however, they fell in love. After making port in Panama City, Panama, they got onto a railroad and was ferried to the other side of their county. They boarded another boat called the SS North Star and arrived into New York City on August 13, 1860. According to the background of the SS North Star within the San Francisco newspapers, starting in January 1859, the steamer intended to run between New York and San Francisco by way of Panama. Over the next month, the couple embarked onto a new journey together when they left the docks in New York City.
John F. Reynolds has orders to go to West Point and started to serve for the Union army as the Civil War started in the spring of 1861. Catharine remained committed to cleansing her soul from her past activities prior to meeting Reynolds. Even though Reynolds and her were in love, she entered Eden Hall Academy of the Sacred Heart near Philadelphia in the fall of 1861. Due to her catholic faith, she had to endure seven months to accomplish all the necessary accomplishments in baptism, first communion, and confirmation. Katharine impressed everyone at Sacred Heart with her honorable heart and energy.
Sterling silver reproduction of the West Point ring
Before Reynolds marched off to war, he traveled to Philadelphia to see Katharine. They sealed their commitment to one another and talked about the future what ifs. The theory goes is that when Reynolds survived the war, he would marry Katharine regardless of their differences in religion. Katharine stated that if he was die in battle, that she would serve within the Daughters of Charity and pledge her life to her faith. Katharine received Reynolds’ ring from West Point prior to July 1861.