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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 Olivia Chase informs her grandfather Philander Chase of her and her family's health. She also accounts the enlistment of several young men from Steubenville into the army for the Mexican-American War.
Date
6-5-1846
Keywords
Mary Chase, Philander Chase, James K. Polk, Mexican-American War, England, Mexico, army, military, war, health
Recommended Citation
Chase, Mary Olivia, "Letter to Philander Chase" (1846). Philander Chase Letters. 1267.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/1267
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Transcript
Steubenville O. June [5]
My dear Grandfather
I am ashamed and grieved that so [long] a time has elapsed since I received your letter written last Jan’y, without an acknowledgement. but so it is-- I hope you will not think that you have been absent form my thoughts a single day. I have just returned from a short visit to Cincinnati. I accompanied Uncle McDowell and Martha as far as that city, and spent several weeks there very pleasantly indeed. The beauty of the city, and its cleanliness also, made me quite dissatisfied with our humble little village--indeed if my family had not been here I should not have cared about returning at all.
I staid part of my time with our cousins there they were well and talked much of you and the [rest] of our dear friends in Illinois.
I hope your health is improved since you [?] you then spoke of the pain in your shoulder and ba[ck] being still very severe. We have not heard from Illi[nois] for some time. We hope Aunt Sarah will come to Ohio this summer--she spoke something of it when last she wrote.
Mother’s health is pretty good this summer with the exception of a severe illness last winter, I think her health has been unusually good for the last year. I wish I [co]uld say the same of dear Grandfather; he is very feeble indeed--the warm weather effects[sic] him very much. he [rides] to town occasionally, but not often.
We heard a short time ago, by some one from Illinois, that Mrs Samuel Chase was in very poor health. I hope it may not be so. Mrs Russell is in Lockport on her way to Illinois--I hope she will not pass us by without coming to see us. When shall we ever see you again my dear Grandfather? we have hitherto been so unfortunate in our meetings, that I am almost afraid to look forward to another, very soon.
Monday June 8.
Since I wrote the above, a letter has arrived from Uncle Dudley giving the joyful news that he is the happy Father of a daughter. We shall look for them all, to visit us this summer. I am glad to hear that Aunt Mary thinks of coming also; we should be very happy to see her in Ohio once more; I had begun to think she had ceased to think of us at all. Grandfather has been much better for a few days past--and was able to come down to Church yesterday.
Our town has been in quite an excitement for some time on account of the War. Some volunteers (about 80) left here a few days ago for the Cincinnati[.] The President has since ordered them to march directly to Santa Fe. Several of them, who thought enlisting was only fun at first, wanted to draw back when the time came to march, but they [?] it too late. Do you not think the whole affair very disgraceful business at the best? I think Jimmy Polk and his men should be made to fig[ht] it out themselves. It is said also that the prosp[ect] of war with England is still very threatening. We cannot but pray earnestly that God may avert so heavy a calamity, for Christ’s sake.
I had a long letter from cousin Laura about [two] months ago, in which she spoke with the deepest regret of the apparent closing of the once punctual correspondence between herself and you. She said she had not heard from you since her marriage, and could not imagine the cause; but feared you had forgotten her entirely. I am sure cousin Laura must be mistaken there, for I always thought she was one of your favorites.
I hope my dear Grandfather you will answer [my] poor letter. I wish it were a better one but you must a[?] the will for the deed. Be assured I shall always [be] most thankful to you my best friend for any [?] advice’ you may chance to give. I prize one word from you more than a volume from almost [any] one else. Give my love to Mrs Chase, and Uncle Dudley and Aunt Sarah, not forgetting the two little [bairns][.] Why does not Uncle Philander write to me.
Most affectionately your Grandaughter[sic] Mary Chase