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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
George updates his uncle on life in Randolph and includes messages from his family.
Date
1-9-1826
Keywords
Aunt Chase, Mr. Tucker, Daniel Batchelder, Capt. Sanford, Mr. Russell, Mr. Waldo, Mr. Weston, Mr. Eddy, North American Review
Recommended Citation
Chase, George, "Letter to Dudley Chase" (1826). Philander Chase Letters. 571.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/571
Rights Statement
Transcript
Randolph - Jan. 9. 1826. Monday Evening.
My Dear Uncle
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your two very very short letters to me dated Dec. 29 and Dec. 30. 1825. I have also seen your New Years Letter to Aunt Chase, & as I reckon myself one of the family, suppose that part of your felicitations were directed to me. In that case we may have been wishing one another a happy New Year at the same moment, for I wrote to you on that day. In yours of the 30th you state that you often hear from my Father & his family–I am glad to hear that they are all well. The letter from Dudley which you enclosed to Aunt Chase gave me great pleasure–it cost the little fellow, I’ll engage, many hours to indite it–Dudley is a fine boy, and will probably have many difficulties to contend with at the outset of life, but in the end I doubt not they will be for his benefit.
Since my last, nothing new has transpired in Randolph, unless it be the fate of the dog which the valiant Mr. S. Tucker shot in cold blood for worrying his sheep, & the events connected with which, were I in a Hogarthing style, might afford you some amusement–but in this disagreeable weather my muse is silent. Mary has returned from Bethel–nothing new & all well. Daniel Batchelder was married a few days since by Thos. P. [?] at Capt. Sandford’s. Mr & Mrs. Russell Uncle Simcon & wife & Mr. Batchelder’s family were all the persons that attended from Duck Street & [Chewink]. I have not learnt the particulars–but understand that Esq. Russell performed the ceremony in a very suitable manner. I should say very solemn manner, for it inspired Mrs. Ainsworth to day that he did it as well as any minister could do. Now I think of it I wish to inform you that I have seen Mr. Chas. Waldo who owns the saw mill on the E. B. I have discovered the person who cut the trees on your lot, the South one, his name is Clifford, & Mr. Waldo agrees that when Mr C. draws the logs to mill, he is to tell him of the state of the case and that a prosecution is only [staid] because you do not wish to increase the difficulties which the poor man has to contend with–that the trouble he has been at of cutting and drawing the logs deserves perhaps some sort of remuneration and that Mr. W. shall let him have so many of the boards as Mr. W. thinks he ought to have, (not exceeding the closest calculation of time and expenses) & that nothing further shall be said about it. I thought upon the whole that this arrangement would best suit your charitable views and besides, I did not see as it was possible for me to get teams to draw the logs, unless we hired other than your own. Of your business generally: Mr. Weston I believe conducts everything in a discreet & lawyerlike manner. Mr. Eddy has killed his cow & the remainder of hogs today–lot of his porch 1238 lbs–lot of cow [qrs.] 478 Tallow 72 Hide 66 Tot. = [?]. Mr. E intends going to Boston soon if snow should come sufficient. Your leather, I learn from Horace, has been but a small part of it, 36 lbs, sold. Mr. Rufus Chadwick came today (Horace being gone to Northfield) & took a quantity of grain on a/c of Sam. C. We have paid S. Chad. about $50–I had forgotten to write in addition concerning Mr. C. Waldo. He says he wishes to purchase the lower lot of yours on the E. B. & will pay you a fair price in a year. I told him I would write to you upon the subject. He says also that in case you do not wish to sell, there are several large birches there which ought to be cut now & which he would purchase. I do not think of anything further worth mentioning relative to your affairs.
I have lately been reading an article in the North American Review relative to our claims on Holland & [?]. The article is written with considerable ability and is worthy of the attention of our legislation. It is the Oct. No. 1825. A great deal has been said in praise of this Review–& perhaps some of it may be justly due, but there is evidently a great inequality in the composition of the different Articles. Some are below mediocrity & some are finished specimens of critical talent.
Tuesday Jan. 10
At Home. By this mail you will also receive a letter from your particular friend Dudley C. Blodgett. The little fellow I understand was as patient as a Lamb although it took him a long time to complete the epistle. Aunt Chase will add a postscript to his letter & inform you of every particular. Since yesterday the weather has undergone an astonishing alteration–the snow is fast leaving us & the sky, now in the depth of winter, has the same bright & warm appearance that it assumes in spring. Unless there is an alteration in the weather & snow comes soon to the relief of those who have [training] to do this winter, I know not what will be done.
I have now completely at a [stand] for the want of something to say that would be interesting to you.
Mrs. Blodgett is greatly afflicted with the toothache–& poor woman, her face is swelled very much, putting me in mind of a chipping squirrel with its [crop] full of beech nuts.
Betsey says please to take notice that I am going to Bethel the latter part of this week, & want some white feathers in my bonnet like Mrs. [Liba] Durkee.
Olivia says upon [honnour] that if you will enclose to her a 3 dollar United States Bill she will get her a new bonnet.
Horace has returned from Northfield has bro’t. 15 Bus. wheat–says that Deacon Washburn is some better is now able to sit up in his bed.
Adieu–I hope in my next to find something more interesting to write to you about. Randolph is progressing in the scale of morality. Chester Belknap has been stealing also. What are we coming to?
Yours affectionately,
Geo. Chase
P.S. Aunt Chase says that I have come up here and [purloined] all the news so that she has nothing to put into her letter. But if both our letters go by the same mail you will no doubt open her letter first, & thus she will have the advantage.
2nd P.S. Mr Eddy is here & I have opened the letter at his request to inform you that he has now an opportunity of purchasing 4 cows for you, good ones at about $15 ½ each. If you wish him to procure them pray write soon and I will if you think best endeavour to get money sufficient for that purpose.
Ever yours affectionately,
Geo. Chase