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The Philander Chase letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.
Description
Mary updates George on their safe travels in America. She describes baby Dudley as being a healthy and good baby. She is struggling with her health and is saddened by her children's distance from her.
Date
11-11-1817
City
Worthington, OH
Keywords
Mary Chase, Dudley Chase Jr., George Chase, baby, ill
Recommended Citation
Chase, Mary, "Letter to George Chase" (1817). Philander Chase Letters. 111.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/111
Rights Statement
Transcript
Worthington (Ohio) Nov 11th—, 7
My dear son,
By Mr [Rupel] I write you for the first time since my arrival in this new world. Not that I have wished to think of you very often, and to pray God for you with the fervor of a fond parent separated from her darling children. O, when I meet you again, may I I find you such as my heart will fondly acknowledge, and my mind justly commend.
Your Father having written both to you, when we first came here, and to your Uncle by Mr [Rupel], and given a description both of our journey, and situation, in this place —our hopes and prospects to come, it remains to me, only to think up the [mirage] of information communicated to you by your father.
It was rather a singular circumstance in the events of my life that the first intelligence I should receive of you after my arrival in this country should have come by the way of the President of the United States. Yet on in the fact; he said he saw you and left you in good health with your Uncle in Vermont.
Your father has quite recovered his health since his coming to this country, and he enters into the [happiness] of farming with the enthusiasm which so peculiar to himself. He has been nothing [ont] apprehensions and 600, is to complete his orchard for the preset. Peach, and apple trees there are now growing and producing fruit, a nursery, and a variety of other fruit trees is to complete the projects of the present year. But Mr. Rupert will tell you so much more than I can write, that it seems like nonsense to say anything about our affairs. —
My health has not been very good since I have been in this country but it is better now than it has been Cyrus seems to have left his complaint and fights in No. C. — his health has been very good this fall. Almira is her usual humorous tho’ I think rather more cheerful than she used to be. She seems well pleased with Ohio which is rather a wonder as I believe she was never well pleased with any new place before. Little Dud has been very ill with is [teething], but now has recovered his health & perfect good spirits. He is as full of mischief as he can probably be; and altogether a most lovely and interesting day. His hair is rather long with a little and at the indo-right-and [glopy] — his eyes bright with intelligence, — rosy cheeks, a double chin, and altogether one of the best formed children I have ever seen insomuch that a lady told me should would take him for a model if she were going to draw a cupid. And as to his mind (thanks to a merciful creator) it is by no means belove mediocrity. He has (what I dare say will please you) an evident partiality for martial [?], and will dance a march with all the fervor imaginable. Without being able yet to speak plainly he will print out a number of the letters and sums to delight to be able to do so. He is persevering in his disposition but will relinquish his most favorite pursuits out of affection to his friends. He is not selfish, nor whining, but liberal, and sharful. Blessed be God for all his mercies to me, in making me the parent of children with so many, and rich endearments. May neither I nor they forget that he life and talents he has given thus were given for improvement and for eternity and when we go thither may none of us be wanting —
Philander has written me a long and good letter (and all his letters are so) and given and ar’t of his visit to Vermont. How grateful I am for the kindness of your Uncle and could count to him as well as to you. May the blessing of God rest upon them day and night.
Robert M Wilman’s Daughter, Catherine Jane wished for New Orleans on one day and the news of her father’s failure in business reached N. York the next. This is a sad state to us, as he has not only left his daughters bill unpaid, but he was your father’s agent for the collection of about $1000 due him from the 6th in N. O. which has probably [?] along with his other bills. Sheldon Clark [?] and sums rather chagrined that neither you nor [Philander] [?] written to you. I understand that his mother is doing well, but as yet she has not paid the order I left Mr. Lloyd. So much for misfortune. But then on the other hand a blessing seems to have attended everything relative to our coming into this country.
Our journey and meeting, was next to a miracle, and everything we have put our [hands] to do sums to have had the divine helping added. May I ever be duly [remissible] of, and thankful for, all the mercies of God toward me and mine — and what shall I very [?] — be a good boy and remember that you are as a son to your Uncle and Aunt, — never forfeit their love for you big any [?] globes — or downright different or [?]. Friendship, is capily kept but when [?] is not capily required — and you are now arrived to manhood — and what more incused and parqium in the which will long he remain lord in the man. Make my kind respects to your Uncle and Aunt, and Mrs Blights and all friends —
I do not feel quite well or I believe I should not have written yo quite so dull a letter and one no little interesting — but my spirits are not always good and when I think of the distance between me and my children I am quite in the blues but now I can do nothings for them but commit them with my blessing into the hands of a merciful God. May he have them now and ever in his hands hoping.
Mary S.