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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
Philander Chase praises his wife Sophia's virtues extensively. He then updates his brother Dudley on the goings-on of his children.
Date
2-5-1839
Keywords
Philander Chase, Sophia Chase, Dudley Chase, Henry Chase, Jubilee College
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Dudley Chase" (1839). Philander Chase Letters. 1116.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/1116
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Transcript
Dear Brother Dudley,
I was made yesterday a very happy man by the reaction of your kind letter of the 12th [?]. It evidenced to my mind that you were well both in body & mind. That Brother Simeon was also well- (not on his farm to work at his age too!) that Sisters Cotten[sic] and Denison were also in good spirits— blessed be God for his mercies!
Another cause of my sincere thankfulness was made known to me by your letter. [?]— that my dear wife’s visit to you will be welcome to yourself and my dear Sister Olivia. My very tears gush out when I fancy to myself the pleasures of your meeting in this world. My wife has dwelt on that pleasure as depicted to her [in fancy] till I fear she has set her heart too much upon it. It is almost the first and only privilege that she seems to claim to herself. In all other things heretofore she hath given away to others to step in and enjoy while she hath labored by her assiduity to heighten their enjoyment. She hath spent her whole life since we were married in working for others.— for the Church of God & for the children of the faithful—herself the last person provided for. In hovels, in cabins, with the needle at midnight mending the stockings in piles—and at noon directing food to be prepared for hundreds at a time— the sole tayloress[sic] of her husbands and childrens clothes— the [unobstructive] yet true counsellor in time of need, the faithful friend in distress.— the well-informed physician and the patient and tender nurse. All this hath my wife manifested in a spirit of self-denial so pure so unostentatious as commands my astounded gratitude; tho’ I am obliged to restrain it and look it all up in my own bosom for fear of offending her by letting others know what she calls a false estimate of her virtues. Even now I am obliged to keep this letter out of sight, having written and shewed another in the place of which this will be instituted, where the mail is made up under her hands.
Your mention of my son Dudley as enjoying your approbation gives me great pleasure. He is indeed among the best of young men & I trust will never shame his relatives. My other songs are not so happy as to be known unto you, altho’ your name and character is much venerated by them. Mary, if God permit, you will see with her Mother, next summer. It is my most earnest prayer that she may find grace in your sight.
Henry is with our dear Relative the Rev. Saml’ Chase at Ottowa[sic] and getting on very well with this mathematical studies—no young man has a better reputation for sound sense and good principles than he. Philander is here with us, you will hardly credit it when I tell you he is nearly at the height of his father. Would that his education were equal to his stature! With his assistance & that of three other young men managing four teams, we are trying to get together materials of stone and lumber for the erection of a Church and school rooms as [?] steps for the Jubilee College. But you shall hear more of this wen success shall have made the plan an object worth looking at.
Most affectionately commending myself and all I have to the prayers of yourself and all the dear ones in [B’l] & [Ran’t] I am your loving brother
Philander Chase