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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 Chapman requests information from Chase regarding the death of her son, Anthony Chapman, who was a student in Gambier.
Date
12-23-1831
Keywords
Anthony Chapman, Mr. McElroy, student death
Recommended Citation
Chapman, Mary, "Letter to Philander Chase" (1831). Philander Chase Letters. 914.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/914
Rights Statement
Transcript
Janeville. Athy. Dec: 23
Co. [Kildare] 1831
Sir
The feeling of a Parent; deprived by the visitation of Providence of a beloved & promising child; will I trust plead my excuse for this trespassing on your attention.
An indirect account has reached me of the death of my Son Anthony Chapman. In the letters I received from him, he spoke in the strongest terms of the high respect he entertained towards you; & of the kindness he had received from you from the time of his arrival at Gambier; Now, altho’ undertaken by Mr. McElroy, a person in whom I place full confidence from the esteem & affection my Son espoused for him; yet I, together with some friends from whom my poor Son had letters of introduction would feel much obliged by your letting me hear from you; whether, on leaving Gambier for the last time, he had drawn the whole; or what part of his money which he mentioned that he had entrusted to your [care]. Your informing me on this point & on the few following particulars, or any others with which you may be acquainted, relative to my Son would be considered by me as a particular favor. If it has been ascertained that he had medical aid in his last illness; & of what nature the disease was, of which he died. The name of the place & person at whose house he was & its distance from Gambier. I would again apologize for thus intruding upon your attention was I not well assured of your kind benevolence.
Wishing the great cause inn which you, Sir, are engaged every success. I remain Sir with gratitude & respectful esteem,
Your obliged & humble Servt
Mary Chapman