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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 recounts his journey from Cumberland to Little Meadows. He enjoyed the hospitality of several people along the way. He is disappointed that Rev. Ethan Allen did not arrive to replace him before he left. He is once again in great pain.
Date
4-14-1830
Keywords
injuries, Ethan Allen, Cumberland, Mrs. Reed, Frostburg, Mr. Heckrotte, Mr. Johns
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Sophia Chase" (1830). Philander Chase Letters. 853.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/853
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Transcript
Little Meadows [21] West of Cumberland
14 Apr. 1830
My dear Wife:
I left Cumberland yesterday, at 9 A.M. with a grateful heart, though not without some melancholy apprehensions of what I should suffer from the jolting of the Carriage.
As the coach drove up to Mr. John’s door, where so many affectionate friends had assembled to witness my [prowess] in [ascending] and my comfort in seating myself for a long and tedious journey, my face turned pale and my feeble knees smote at the thoughts of the approaching trial. -- ”Fetch a Chair” -- ”Take my arm on this side.” “Take care of his broken Ribs” “Don’t touch my lame arm” “Now push” “There” “There.” “He is now fairly in” and “now he’s fairly seated on his soft feather bed” “Which side will you have the pillows.” “Let one support the lame arm, and the other prop his fractured Ribs.” Now now “I am ready.” Good. Friends adieu! “[Be] [sure] you have a Bishop’s blessing! May the Good God bless you all for Jesus Christ’s sake!”
The carriage drove slowly on. Shall I tell you how I bore the dreadful motion? It would be of no use. It did not kill me; & this is about all I can say.
A Mrs. Reed who had been in town to see her friends a few days and had been with us in our little parties was providentially made to [?] [the] melancholy hours [upon] Bp. Chase & who wished to return home to the very place where I am now writing this (she is moreover cousin to young [Bernice] at our College) sent a servant to enquire if she and her Nurse & child could not take a seat with me in the carriage? This was most freely & thankfully granted so that before I left town my journey promised for a time not to be so gloomy.
We came on to Frostburg 10 miles. There Mrs. Reed met us: & there we rested a little. Then we resumed our seat & rode 7 miles further to the house of Mr. [Heckrotte] who married Kilby’s daughter of Chillicothe. Here Mr. H. had prepared for me some evergreen Trees and if I would stay he would [put] [us] some [more] & some laurel. -- He added also his great desire that I would stay and baptize his two youngest Children. To all these powerful arguments was added the fact that I could not go with safety any further. Mrs. Reed proceed [sic] on horseback with her husband towards home 4 miles further and I -- went to bed.
I did hope Mr. Allen would have [come] [on] in [the] [Stage] but no Mr. Allen came & after baptizing the Children today at one o’clock Mr. [Heckrotte] has [released] the horses and drove me to this place where I am red. Mr. Mr. Mr. R. with great kindness. To tell you how sore I am and what pain and distress I suffer I can not: but I am not dead and hope to see you in about 10 days
PC.