Rachel Evans
John Henry Doc Holliday, a legend of the Wild West, was born to Presbyterian and Methodist parents. Holliday was baptized Presbyterian and later converted to Methodism. However, it is believed that he received Catholic last rites and became a Catholic convert before his death. Holliday's obituary stated that he was baptized Catholic, and he had also struck up a friendship with a Catholic priest, Father E.T. Downey, before his death. Holliday's cousin, Sister Mary Melanie, who was a Catholic nun, also influenced his conversion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | John Henry "Doc" Holliday |
| Birthplace | Georgia |
| Parents' religion | Presbyterian and Methodist |
| First cousin | Martha Ann "Mattie" Holliday |
| Profession | Dentist, gambler, gunslinger |
| Associates | Earp brothers, Wyatt Earp |
| Cause of death | Tuberculosis |
| Age at death | 36 |
| Converted to Catholicism | Yes |
| Became Catholic due to influence of | Mattie Holliday |
| Summoned a priest before death | Yes |
| Became Catholic before death | Yes |
| Cousin who was a nun | Sister Mary Melanie Holliday |
| Burial presided over by | Rev. W.S. Randolph |
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What You'll Learn
Doc Holliday's deathbed conversion to Catholicism
John Henry "Doc" Holliday was born in Georgia to Presbyterian and Methodist parents. Holliday's mother had been raised a Methodist and later joined a Presbyterian church (her husband's faith). Holliday himself was likely Methodist but had no anti-Catholic beliefs, which was unusual for the time.
Holliday's first cousin, Martha Ann "Mattie" Holliday, was Catholic. She was his sweetheart growing up, and they maintained a correspondence throughout their lives. Mattie became a nun, and her influence led to Doc summoning a priest and becoming Catholic shortly before he died. Holliday also struck up a friendship with the local Catholic priest, Father E.T. Downey, and informed his cousin, Sister Mary Melanie, a Catholic nun, of his conversion by letter.
Holliday's conversion to Catholicism has been described as a "deathbed conversion". Holliday was diagnosed with tuberculosis in his twenties and died of the disease at the age of 36 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. As his health deteriorated, he travelled to Glenwood Springs to take advantage of the reputed curative power of the waters there. Holliday's obituary in the Glenwood Springs Ute Chief stated that he had been baptized in the Catholic Church. However, no baptismal record has been found in either St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Glenwood Springs or the Annunciation Catholic Church in nearby Leadville.
Holliday's story of returning to the Catholic faith on his deathbed has been described as "truly an inspiration". Other famous examples of deathbed conversions to Catholicism include Buffalo Bill, who was baptized Catholic one day before his death in 1917, and Oscar Wilde, who converted during his final illness.
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Holliday's Catholic last rites
John Henry "Doc" Holliday was born in Georgia to Presbyterian and Methodist parents. Holliday himself was likely Methodist but did not hold the standard anti-Catholic beliefs of the time. Holliday's mother had been raised a Methodist and later joined a Presbyterian church, her husband's faith. However, she objected to the Presbyterian doctrine of predestination and re-converted to Methodism publicly before she died.
Holliday's sweetheart growing up was Catholic and his first cousin, Martha Ann "Mattie" Holliday. Mattie became a nun, and her influence led to Doc summoning a priest and becoming Catholic shortly before he died. Holliday's obituary stated that he was baptized Catholic, likely towards the end of his life.
In the last days before his death, Holliday struck up a friendship with a Catholic priest, Father E.T. Downey, and a Presbyterian minister, Rev. W.S. Randolph, in Glenwood Springs. When Holliday died, Father Downey was out of town, so Rev. Randolph presided over the burial.
Holliday's conversion to Catholicism is an example of a deathbed conversion, where individuals convert to a new religion or adopt a more fervent belief in their current religion as they approach death. Other famous examples of deathbed conversions include Buffalo Bill, who was baptized Catholic one day before his death in 1917, and Oscar Wilde, who converted to Catholicism during his final illness.
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Holliday's cousin, a Catholic nun
Holliday's cousin, Martha Anne "Mattie" Holliday, was a Catholic nun. She was the daughter of Doc's uncle, Robert Kennedy Holliday. Martha Anne grew up in Jonesboro, about thirty miles from Doc's hometown of Griffin, Georgia. The two were close as children and reportedly had a romance as teenagers.
Mattie was Doc's first love, but she entered a convent, becoming a nun and taking the name Sister Mary Melanie, also known as Sister Melanie Holliday. She was also the cousin of author Margaret Mitchell, who modelled the character of Melanie Hamilton in Gone With the Wind after her.
Mattie's decision to join a convent may have been influenced by the Catholic saint, Melania, who married her first cousin but later left her husband and took religious orders, entering a convent. It is unknown if Mattie faced a similar dilemma, loving her cousin but being unable to marry him due to Catholic restrictions.
Despite the distance between them, Doc and Mattie maintained their close relationship over the years, corresponding throughout his travels in the West. When Doc died in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, his personal belongings and letters were sent to Sister Melanie in Georgia, where they were kept by the Holliday family for many years.
In addition to influencing his conversion to Catholicism, Mattie's religious influence may have also contributed to Doc's decision to summon a priest and receive Catholic last rites before his death.
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Holliday's friendship with a Catholic priest
John Henry "Doc" Holliday was born in Georgia to Presbyterian and Methodist parents. Holliday was baptized Presbyterian and later converted to Methodism. Holliday's first cousin and childhood sweetheart, Martha Ann "Mattie" Holliday, was Catholic and became a nun. Holliday maintained a correspondence with Mattie throughout his life, and her influence led him to develop an interest in Catholicism.
Towards the end of his life, Holliday befriended a local Catholic priest, Father E.T. Downey, and was baptized into the Catholic Church. Holliday informed his cousin, Sister Mary Melanie, a Catholic nun, of his conversion in a letter. Holliday also struck up a friendship with a Presbyterian minister, Rev. W.S. Randolph, in Glenwood Springs.
Holliday's conversion to Catholicism is mentioned in his published obituary, which states that he was likely baptized Catholic towards the end of his life. Holliday's decision to embrace Catholicism may have been influenced by his cousin Mattie, as well as his own spiritual beliefs and experiences. Holliday's religious journey reflects his open-mindedness and willingness to explore different faiths during his lifetime.
Holliday's friendship with Father Downey and his conversion to Catholicism occurred during the final stages of his life, as he was suffering from tuberculosis. Holliday's illness ultimately led to his death at the age of 36 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Despite his reputation as a gambler and gunslinger, Holliday found solace and comfort in his religious beliefs and the friendships he forged with both Catholic and Protestant clergy.
Holliday's conversion to Catholicism and his relationships with Father Downey and Rev. Randolph demonstrate his spiritual side, which is often overshadowed by his legendary exploits in the Wild West. His religious beliefs and friendships provided him with support and guidance during his final days, offering him a sense of peace and connection to a higher power.
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Holliday's correspondence with his cousin
John Henry "Doc" Holliday was born in Georgia to Presbyterian and Methodist parents. Holliday's cousin, Martha Ann "Mattie" Holliday, was his childhood sweetheart. Although the families lived relatively far apart, they gathered together whenever they could, often at the home of Holliday's uncle, a medical doctor, in Fayetteville. Mattie was eighteen months older than Holliday, but the two were close as children and reportedly had a romance as teenagers.
Mattie Holliday was also a cousin to Margaret Mitchell, the author of Gone with the Wind. Mitchell modelled the character of Melanie Hamilton on Holliday's cousin, even borrowing her name. In later years, Mattie Holliday became a nun and took the name Sister Mary Melanie, also known as Sister Melanie Holliday.
Holliday and Mattie likely wrote letters to each other, but none have been authenticated, and it is unlikely that any survive to the present day. Holliday informed his cousin by letter that he had been baptised into the Catholic Church. Holliday's correspondence with his cousin may have inspired the 1993 film "Tombstone", in which Holliday, played by Val Kilmer, says in his final scene, "I was in love once. My first cousin. She was… We were both so… She joined a convent over the affair. She was all I ever wanted.""
Holliday was diagnosed with tuberculosis and moved to the American Southwest in the hope that the climate would ease his symptoms. He became a gambler, which was a reputable profession in Arizona at the time. He became a close friend and associate of lawman Wyatt Earp and was best known for his participation in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. Holliday died of tuberculosis at the age of 36 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
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Frequently asked questions
It is believed that he did receive the Catholic last rites. Holliday's cousin, Sister Mary Melanie, was a Catholic nun, and their correspondence was the basis for his obituary, which stated that he had been baptised into the Catholic Church.
Holliday was born to Presbyterian and Methodist parents. He was baptised Presbyterian and later converted to Methodism.
Holliday had a very close relationship with his cousin, who was his first love. Her influence led to him summoning a priest and becoming Catholic shortly before he died.
Some famous examples of deathbed conversions to Catholicism include Buffalo Bill, who was baptised a Catholic one day before his death in 1917, and Oscar Wilde, who converted during his final illness. Other notable figures include John Wayne, Charles II of England, and Charles Darwin.
