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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
Chase updates Sophia Chase on his son's poor health. He discusses his business ventures in England as well as his pleasant visit with Mr. Car.
Date
3-18-1824
City
Ashborne
Keywords
England voyage, Mr. Rutledge, Philander Chase Jr., Timothy Wiggin, London, England
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Sophia Chase" (1824). Philander Chase Letters. 229.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/229
Rights Statement
Transcript
Parwick Near Ashborne
Derbyshire Mar. 18, 1824
My dear Wife,
When I sent off my last packet of letters to you from Manchester I was quite ill in health and deeply affected at the contents of the Rev. Mr. Bartledge’s letter written at the bedside of poor dear sick and dying Philander. Though there is an indescribable consolation in the triumph of his faith over the Great Enemy Death yet being a favorite son and a beloved fellow minister in the service of our common Master. I feel a pang in parting with him at this time when to all human view he is most wanted, which I can not describe. But what can I say -- and what ought I to think but that all is for the best. God is wise, holy just and good; and tho’ his footsteps are in the great waters and he maketh darkness and clouds his habitation yet to the eye of faith, mercy and Love are the end and design of all his providences. In his word I trust and in his power I confide -- Let Him, then, do what seemeth to him good.
Once more (yesterday) I bade Mr. & Mrs. Wiggin farewell with a view to go to London. Their kindness to me is the continued theme of [?] to God which occupies my mind & heart from noon till night -- [yea] in the visionary dreams of my pillow. Their submission to our fund amounts to 100 pounds -- ($444, 444/1000) and their exactions in Manchester have caused it to amount in the Manchester list to £400 ($1777, 76/100). This added to what has been subserviled in Hull, York, Beverly, Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield & Derby will probably exceed $5,000.
While at Derby (when on my way to London, just before I turned off in a tangent and went up to York) I saw a Mr. John Car a worthy Clergyman brother in law to Mr. Evans of [Allestree] near Derby. It was his pressing invitation to pay him a visit which caused me to stop at Ashborne last night and enquire for means this morning to get to his residence where I now am. I found that having gone to Derby a day or two ago he was expected to meet his servant in a gig in a few hours on his way home.
Accordingly he arrived and we came together to this retired and most beautiful place. It is like the Vale of Avooka in the song; surrounded by hills cultivated to the top with copses of trees interspersed in every direction. Thro’ this peaceful hamlet runs a small stream of limpid waters and the neat stone Church ornaments the amount of about 20 houses built of stone, all sending forth their blue smoke curling up gracefully to the skies. Mrs. Car received us kindly and the afternoon passed on most pleasantly.
At and after tea the conversation as usual was on religion and the interesting School for the prophets in Ohio. At tea I received from Mr. C. a pen ink and paper and began] this letter. Would that you could know how sincerely I pray for you and the dear Babes at Kingston! Wherever I am or how severe I am engaged your dear image surrounded by the dear Children and all our friends in K. is never absent from my conscious mind. May the Good God evermore mightily defend and keep you! And in mercy grant that before I die I may see your face in peace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Derby Mar. 20th 1824
Yesterday Good Mr. Car brought me down in a gig to the Vicars at Ashborne: but the mail to this place just passed. I hired a gig and came on. The day was uncommonly fine. Being in an open vehicle the day was uncommonly fine. The cultivated the [?] country, the whole was enchanting. I thought of you of Philander and the green fields beyond the flood the Canaan of Heaven. God of my life & Saviour of my soul, grant that I fail not in attaining this blessed C[?]!
Thank God my health is better. Last night Mr. Marriott of London was with me at Mr. Cox’s.