Unfortunately, William fell from grace. First, his business was ruined with the sinking of the boats he rented to transport merchandise; and, shortly after, he fell ill with tuberculosis, a practically incurable disease at that time. Since William’s symptoms were severe, the doctors simply suggested that he seek a more favorable climate to heal. Thus, the couple decides to embark for Italy.
The Setons arrived on the Italian coast on December 27, 1803. Tragically, William died during the mandatory quarantine period to disembark, a victim of the illness that afflicted him. Finding herself abandoned, Isabel was taken in with her children in the home of a friendly family, the Felicchi, whose patriarch had done business with William.
The beginning of the “way home”: conversion to Catholicism