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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 updates his granddaughter Mary Olivia about the state of Jubilee College, as well as news from the family and friends of the Chases.
Date
11-30-1842
Keywords
Philander Chase, Mary Olivia Chase, Dudley Chase, Henry Chase, Samuel Chase, Sophia Chase, Jubilee College, Kenyon College, marriage, debt, finances
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Mary Olivia Chase" (1842). Philander Chase Letters. 1162.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/1162
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Transcript
Jubilee College Nov 30th 1842
My dear Grand Daughter:
I wrote you a letter sometime ago in answer to yours; but it didn’t go: till it grew quite an old story, and our folks thought I had better write a new one: and the best beginning I can make is to say at once that we are all well except myself. A bad cold has settled on my lungs & I cough almost the whole night. To me my confinement in a room is irksome having been thro’ my whole life so accustomed to exercise abroad. Dudley is better in health than usual. He went to Farmington last Saturday & returned on monday[sic] (yester) on horseback: and altho’ the weather was 9° below zero yet he stood it well. He says he had a good and attentive congregation. I find from what I can learn from others that his preaching is quite acceptable & promises to be the instrument of great good. As you say he reminds me of your dear Father and I begin to live my life over again in him. Sarah was never better in health: she staid with us in Dudley’s absence and added much to our happiness. Mrs Chase my dear Wife is as busy as ever. Nothing is seen to as it ought to be but by her vigilant and judicious eye. We have a house-keeper as your Father knows in Ms. Bugsby but even she would be nothing but for the oversight of a wiser head.
Henry you know is married and lives at the Robins Nest. They have a fine boy whom we begin to love dearly[.] Mr Bennet our Clerk is married to the Twin Sister of Henry’s wife. Their place of residence when finished will be a portion of the house we live in at present they stay with Henty’s family. Our dear Samuel is better this cold weather than I feared he would be. I spare him in the service and the Sermon as much as I can. Last sunday[sic] he preached once and we were all pleased with his sermon tho’ quite anxious about his health. His wife is well; as also is Dear Lucia his Mother in law. The 3 young Daughters are well and quite beloved by us all[.] Mr & Mrs Radley are well. Doctor Southgate will, if the Lord will, be ordained on the 4th sunday[sic] in Advent. The Notice of this important event (being the first ordination ever held in the Jubilee Chapel) has already been given in the Papers; and, should the day prove favourable doubtless the Congregation will be very large. You see I have us yet said nothing of my dear Daughter Mary. This is not because she is indifferent to us; but quite the Contrary. Our winter has come on so unexpectedly that our kitchen and other accommodations for taking of pupils are not finished and we are quite disappointed. The school does not increase, and another year must probably pass over our heads before we can determine whether our attempt will be, or not be, successful.
There is no money in the country and we pay our workmen (16 in number) by means of our Store. For this tell your grand Father I am not in debt and I hope there will be no anxiety no wormwood & gall pray [?] about us. Our proverb--our Motto--our favorite promise is still the same “Jehovah Jireh” “God will provide.” And indeed he doth provide. We live literally on his daily bounty and every stone we lay in Jubilee is cemented with a prayer. I hope my labour here will not end in despair as in Ohio. My successor I trust will not run from Jubilee in debt 30,000 the same that, I hear, Kenyon College is indebted. That it may not be I intend to continue my labours; and my wife intends to exercise her oeconomy. She is at this minute mending stocking and in the dry season she is busy in [?] the Duties of a Taylor[sic] to the family and neighbours. We drink no wine nor strong drink. All the extravagance is in keeping 12 oxen & 9 horses continually at work for the College in drawing stone and lumber. Our number of hands employed is 16. If the cold weather continue 4 of them will be discharged after our 300 bushels of coal shall have been dug and 100 cords of wood shall have been.
Our Male school increases slowly. The addition of the best of Mathematical teaching will add to the public confidence in us. A Mr [Forte] from Washington College Con’t well recommended by President Totten is now here and much liked. He is a candidate for Holy Orders together with another Teacher Mr March the Classmate of Mr F.
I think you must have learned from your Aunt Sarah that Mr Chase’s Dwelling house is now moved to the Boys boarding house. It has an addiction to it designed as a study for Mr. Chase. The Yard round the College is full of Stone & the heap every day growing larger & larger. I believe this is all the News. So I close with giving you my blessing & sending love to all P. Chase