“Mrs. Whipple was, as the Bishop has always said, his right
hand in all good work.” Bishop Henry B. WHIPPLE and wife Cornelia (Wright) became
Orange County snow-birds in 1876. FARIBAULT, Minnesota residents, the two
looked forward each year to spending winters at MAITLAND, where in addition to
building a winter residence on the ‘Maitland Branch’, they also established Church
of the Good Shepherd. Their historic church still stands today.
Accounts of the Whipple’s in central Florida very often center
around the Bishop, but one could argue the spotlight should shine on Cornelia.
The Bishop himself credited his wife for him joining the Episcopal Church in
the first place. Cornelia was very often the driving force behind his actions.
A devout Christian, Cornelia was the first born of one of our
State’s earliest influential Christian families. Sister Sarah was the first
wife of St. Augustine Attorney, State Historian, and prominent member of the
Episcopal Church, the esteemed, George R. FAIRBANKS. As early as 1850, Fairbanks
owned 1,000 acres in northern Orange County. Her brother was the Reverend
Benjamin Wright of Leon County, Florida.
Cornelia (Wright) Whipple was a staunch supporter of educating
women, and for years served as house mother of St. Mary’s Hall. She cared as
well for American Indian families near their Minnesota home town.
“After the death of two of her children,” said Cornelia’s
obituary, “Mrs. Whipple determined to build a Church and Parsonage to their
memory.” The Maitland Church, said that obituary, “is made up of those reared
in different communions and is known as the church of the Good Shepherd.”
Cornelia (Wright) Whipple died in 1890 of injuries sustained
in a railroad accident. Her train derailed while on her way south to her
#cflParadise winter residence at Maitland, Florida.
Tomorrow: Her Hospital saved lives, but not one dearest to her.
www.CroninBooks.com
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