Files
Download
Download Full Text (2.5 MB)
Content Warning
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
Charlotte Johnson requests a lock of Philander Chase Jr.'s hair from his daughter as she recounts her memories of him and her admiration for him.
Date
10-1841
Keywords
Charlotte Johnson, Philander Chase Jr., Mary Olivia Chase, death, memorial
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Charlotte, "Letter to Mary Olivia Chase" (1841). Philander Chase Letters. 1143.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/1143
Rights Statement
Transcript
Middletown October 1841
My Dear Young Lady,
The visit of your venerated Grandfather, Bishop Chase, gives me an opportunity I have for some time desired, of requesting your acceptance, of a Trinket, which is only valuable, as containing in the from which seemed to me most suitable, and appropriate, the hair of your dear and excellent Father.
His name is also inscribed at the Cross. The Sign of that pure and Holy faith of which he was an able advocate and a delightful example,
“The chamber where the good man meets his fate
“Is priveliged[sic] beyond the common walk
“Of virtuous life, quite in the verge of heaven.””
It was my privelege[sic] to be a frequent visitor in his. I was an intimate of Mrs Rutledges visiting my Sister. Your father was under the same hospitable [?], and though he removed to lodgings in Charleston a short time previous to his death, we were much with him. I saw him sick feeble dying, seperated[sic] from kindred and friends a stranger though exciting the warmest Sympathy and friendship in all who surrounded him. I know there were times when his head longed for the presence of his wife, his infant child his revered Father, but I saw him bow with meek submission to the will of his Heavenly Father. I witnessed his calmness his patience, his cheerful acquiescence, his desire to glorify God in his death, to serve his fellow creatures. I can still recal[sic] the love the hope the joy that beamed in his countenance, when in conversation in prayer or listening to us as we sang his favorite hymns, his soul seemed already tasting the beatific vision, which he was soon to enjoy. I felt and realized more fully than I had ever before done, the absolute need of a hope full of immortality. I was then nearly as young as you are now, and ready with youthful zeal to seize on every gratification I might. [?] I entered and the gaieties presented me there, with a spirit chastened and [silenced], by all I witnessed at home, and my fresh enjoyments and happiest recollections, were from his conversation, and his example. I may say my dear Miss Chase, that through life’s joys & sorrows cares and pleasures, [?] and disappointments. The memory of your Father has been blest to me. I have ever been grateful to God for the privelege[sic] of knowing him, and have many times and shall ever revert with comfort and hope to his assurance that “he prayed for us that we might die as happy as he died.” surely such prayers avail much. And if he thus prayed for us, how fervent must have been his supplications, for the absent ones nearest his heart and most for you his child. May every blessing his purified spirit invoked be yours my dear is the sincere prayer of Your friend
Charlotte Johnson