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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 describes the trip from Columbus to Chillicothe, including an unpleasant encounter with a coachman.
Date
3-4-1831
Keywords
Brigadier General King, General Finley, Mr. Bauman, Mr. Orr, Mrs. James, Judge Brush, Bloomfield, John Nevens, Little Walnut Creek, Circleville, Mrs. Douglass, Mr. Bond
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Sophia Chase" (1831). Philander Chase Letters. 891.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/891
Rights Statement
Transcript
Chillicothe Mar
4th 1831
Saturday
10. oclock PM.
My dear Wife
The very earnest and affectionate manner in which Genl. King invited me to make his house my home while in this City joined to the repetition of the same as in the letter which I sent you made me drive immediately to the door now their residence. It is the same house once owned & occupied by Genl. Finley nearly opposite (Eastward) from the Chillicothe academy.
He [I] was red. this day about 5. P.M. with much kindness: and found all the family well. The Rev. Mr Bauman and one of his Vestry Mr Orr came in soon and then Mrs James and then Judge Brush; and the eveng. was spent quite agreeable till fatigue and a desire to write you compelled me to retire
We set off yesterday morning from Columbus: and altho the roads were very muddy got on as far as Bloomfield (Little Walnut Plains) very well. Here the first thing we saw or heard was the Driver to the next Stage John Nevens by name vociferating most awfully his curses against the proprietors of the Coach for having sent on the [passengers]; and declaring he would not, and cursing himself most dreadfully if he did [drive] another step.
While we were eating breakfast I perceived the horse was yet ready and the Mail bag put astride his back to go on without us. Seeing the boy about to start as we came out of the Breakfast room I [?]ed that the Coachman might be called on which I asked him if he did not intend to take on the passengers. He ansd. no; and for a [reason] assigned that the Little Walnut Creek was too high to allow his team to ford it. I told him that the Creek being two [miles] off it seemed reasonable that we should be taken to its banks that we might try to ford it, & that if he would not do this I shd. take evidence of his refusal and report him to his imployer [sic]. This made bring his horses to the coach and having put them to the carriage take us through very slowly to the Creek. The Stream had fallen above a foot and evidently could be forded without making the horses swim: yet the fellow John Nevens would not go over. We consequently took our baggage crossed over on the timbers of an old bridge and made our best way to the next tavern on the Road to Circleville and John Nevens turned round and went back to bloomfield. Will not this be pretty story to tell the Proprietor?
We hired a man and Waggon to take [?] Circleville where I arrived about 7 oclock. Mr Doane red. [me] kindly and invited in the [neighbours] and we had a pleasant evening. The next after a little meeting of a religious character we set off in another waggon & arrived in this town about 5 oclock.
Sunday night this day I have preached twice admind. Confn. to 14 and celebrated the Lord’s supper. I dined with Mr Bauman & went after Church to see poor sick Mrs R[ichd.] Douglass. She could see me but a few minutes being very weak and evidently not long for this world. I shall see Mr Bond tomorrow. He also is sick. Tomorrow night I am to preach again. All enquire very kindly after you and love you dearly but none loves you as does
Your faithful Husbd.
P. Chase