The Rt. Rev. Charles Pettit McIlvaine, D. D. was the second President of Kenyon College serving from 1832 to 1840. This collection of his letters is kept in the College Archives and is available to researchers.
The Charles P. McIlvaine 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.
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Letter to C. P. McIlvaine
Salmon P. Chase
June 3, 1863
Called top president's attention - West Point vancancy, expressed desire to see you gratified; Mr. Coxe appointed Codifier of District Laws; Lee's venture give us opportunity to crush rebellion be destroying army in Richmond.
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Letter to C. P. McIlvaine
Edward Everett
June 17, 1863
Recommendation of Charles Short, who became in 1863 Kenyon's seventh president
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Letter to an unidentified Bishop
Charles Petit McIlvaine
June 22, 1863
Ordained Herman L. Duhring on the 21st.
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Letter to Bishop Bedell
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
July 11, 1863
About presidency of college; about clergy; men for various places; surprised that Fiske was as abrupt to you - thought him more discreet
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Letter to Bishop Bedell
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
July 11, 1863
Go see Goodwin to sound him out in presidency of college. Can't yet call Board Meeting til we know that he will accept.
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Letter to Bishop Bedell
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
July 25, 1863
Concerning removal of a name from a communicant list: lost-died-moved awat. No communicant can be suspended without being reported to the Ordinary. One Recotr out of 24 cases has been reported to me.
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Letter to Eccl. Authority of the Diocese in Delaware
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
July 29, 1863
Formal transfer of the Rev. William A. Newbold from the Diocese of Ohio; rejoices at the recent brightening of the sky with respect to "our country's cause"
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Letter to Bishop Bedell
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
July 29, 1863
If clergyman cannot get a substitute, or pay the $300, he should suffer for conscience sake. About one in seven shall be called. We should raise money by general subscription (Ohio may have three such).
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Letter to Bedell
Charles Petit McIlvaine
August 1, 1863
About Bishop Potter's son-speech on lack of objectivity in family's analysis of their children. Recommend Newton for Christ Church, Cincinnati. College gets bad reputation for drinking.
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Letter to Bishop Bedell
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
August 3, 1863
Happy about new church - $5000 already given. Draft of clergy will be light - about one in fourteen. Has run an article in the paper asking drafted clergy to notify him.
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Letter to Bishop Bedell
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
August 17, 1863
Refers to former professor of mathematics, McElroy; worried about the draft
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Letter to Bishop Bedell
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
August 29, 1863
Smith coming to Gambier; perhaps no draft in Ohio, because the 11,000 filled with volunteers
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Letter to Bishop Bedell
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
September 3, 1863
Problem in math department. Might get Bray of Lancaster on temporary basis, or fill post at once. Might get Professor Tappan of Cincinnati
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Letter to S.P. Chase
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
September 18, 1863
Thanks for his aid in securing his nephew's appointment
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Letter to Dr. Smith
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
October 7, 1863
Acknowledges his resignation and will get to work on a successor
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Letter to Bishop Bedell
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
October 19, 1863
You missed election - should have shared in the victory! About clergy and visitations… Tullidge has been written to about college presidency
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Letter to Bishop Bedell
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
October 22, 1863
"Hurrah for the $200,000… McIlvaine excited about this. "Go ahead - put on the steam… Capt. Bedell"; about "mongrel service of Milan"
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Letter to Bishop Bedell
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
October 27, 1863
Tullidge consents to come. Son Charles doing well. As to being "decently habited" - custom has been to wear gown and not surplice. "Surplice indicates a kind of 'divinity' which we very much dislike."
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Letter to Rev. Smith
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
November 16, 1863
Accepting resignation and promising pension of $100 for life; See Dr. Tullidge before you leave Gambier
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Letter to Salmon P. Chase
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
November 25, 1863
Well stated arguments as to proposed law exempting clergymen from the draft - or finding a substitute, or paying $200 in lieu of going. Wonders if government willing to risk anger of Irish Catholics or of Protestant Christianity?
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Letter to C. P. McIlvaine
A G. Norwood
December 1, 1863
Points out economic problems yet to come in aftermath of war - hopes Chase will start now to meet the difficulties so change will be gradual. Understands war will be kept open for a year to ease the problem but this is not constitutional; this enclosure with 63-12-11
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Letter to C. P. McIlvaine
A G. Norwood
January 14, 1864
Requests McIlvaine to give him letter of introduction to Chase. Has no political favors to ask - just wants to help. Has some ideas on how to stop speculation on gold market. Notes that many try and succeed in getting advance information.
