Files
Download
Download Full Text (14.4 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
Letter from Philander Chase to his father regarding a possible appointment as clergyman.
Date
2-12-1798
Keywords
Mary Chase; Cornish, NH; missionary
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Dudley and Alice Chase" (1798). Philander Chase Letters. 12.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/12
Rights Statement
Transcript
Albany, February 12th, 1798
Hon. Father,
I received your letter in answer to the one I wrote you of our Summers; your kind pity for us re-assures us that we are still tenderly remembered by our beloved Parents; long as I live, may I never cease to feel grateful for all blessings conferred on me, but in particular that I have had parents who were truly deserving of every possible degree of filial affection and esteem. Worldly fortune may be adverse. I may be brot [misspelling of “brought”] low by illness and disease, yet the above comfortable affection will serve, in a great measure, to mitigate trouble, to calm the mind into contentment and to draw my affections from this world and place them on that almighty parent who is wholly perfect and unboundedly benificent. I am far from being unhappy-- I trust I have reason to be otherwise.
Mr. Chase will be the bearer of this to Dr. Engelman. When she will visit Cornish I am not able to say. She is still in a very infirm state of health. So much so that I feel a great degree of anxiety for her, in going so long a journey. Her wishes were to return thither while I remain in uncertainty where I should fix myself for life.
I wrote you some time last fall of my expectation of being employed as Missionary to visit the vacant Congregations in this state, pay 500 Doll. per year. How this will turn out, for certain, I am not now to say-- there being a clergyman in that business [?] now, whose intentions are not known whether he will resign is or not the may follow-- [?] [?] safe that he does I have applied for the appointment. But more of this when matters are more mature, I want to make a visit to Dr. Engleman but when that will be can not tell.
My time is faithfully employed here-- so much so that I have been but a few times out of the City since I have entered it.
You will please to give my love and duty to my hon. Mother. My earnest prayers are for her health & happiness. I want to see her.
I am with sincerity
Your ever affectionate
And dutiful Son,
Dudley Chase [?] Philander Chase
Dudley Chase Esqr.
Per Mrs. Chase
Cornish
N. Hampshire
Philander to his father
Albany 1795