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 Bishop Bedell
Charles Petit McIlvaine
February 23, 1865
Mentions matter of Tullidge with distress. In case of vacancy at Rosse Chapel, we can get a rule that Bishops can [reach as they wish, Newton wouldn't last long in Columbus. Concern over what Bishop Williams will do now that Cracroft case resolved here.
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Letter to Bishop Bedell
Charles Petit McIlvaine
March 7, 1865
Has not heard from Tullidge. Did Bedell send him letter? List of visitations. Mentions his malady requires applications.
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Letter to Charles Petit McIlvaine
Edwin M. Stanton
June 19, 1865
Response to suggestion as to use of an abandoned seminary in Alexandria, VA.
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Letter to Charles P. McIlvaine
Alfred Lee
June 29, 1865
Have you received proposed letter from Presiding Bishop to Southern Bishops? Bishop of Georgia (at Polk's funeral) justifies course of the sword. Declares the Church did not have part of War. I will have no part of this.
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Letter to Bishop Whittingham
Charles Petit McIlvaine
July 1, 1865
Includes draft of reply from McIlvaine to Bishop Hopkins in regard to his proposed letter to the southern bishops
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Letter to Bishop Hopkins
Henry Lee
July 6, 1865
Lee refuses to sign the letter to the southern bishops. Prefers that north do nothing. In three years will probably come together anyway. If southern bishops come, treat them as Christian brothers.
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Letter to Charles P. McIlvaine
Wittingham
July 6, 1865
Feels strongly McIlvaine's exception to Bishop Hopkin's letter, but feels more strongly he wants church brought together. Gave permission to send letter as writted for him. Sends McIlvaine copy of his reply to Hopkins.
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Letter to Bishop Hopkins
Bishop Alfred Lee
July 7, 1865
In sympathy with the idea but not feel time is propitious. Documents the exceptions he would take in Bishop Hopkin's letter.
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Letter to C.P. McIlvaine
Alfred Lee
July 25, 1865
Lee upset over possibility that Southern bishops will come to convention.
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Letter to Bishop Bedell
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
August 23, 1865
Kenyon trustees; Morse's case; McElree; Cracroft case; rebel diocese at General Convention
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Letter to Maria Du Bois
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
September 11, 1865
Updating on family matters, particularly concerns about parentage.
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Letter to Charles McIlvaine
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
October 9, 1865
Trip to White Mtns. General convention - "it is now considered a settled matter that all the southern churches will come back."
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To Unidentified Clergyman
Charles Petit McIlvaine
October 10, 1865
Answers a question about a case the addressee had hoped to have taken up by the general convention.
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Memorandum to Bishop Whittingham
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
November 16, 1865
Memorandum; about title for publication of the addresses before the convention.
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Letter to Bishop Whittingham
Charles Petit McIlvaine
November 21, 1865
Thanks for the resolutions "tendering to me their 'cordial congratulations' on the account of the 40th anniversary of my consecration at the hands of the venerable Bishop White"; their prayers and sympathies for ill health/necessary absence.
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Letter to Charles Pettit McIlvaine
W. R. Whittingham
November 25, 1865
Bishop Whittingham laboriously precise in telling McIlvaine of procedure which had McIlvaine pastoral letter passed over by Bishop Hopkins. Unity will come, but not without some difficulty.
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Letter to a Bishop
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
December 19, 1865
McIlvaine's illness; Kenyon College prosperous; ashamed of the church's actions at the 1865 General Convention; McIlvaine's article on rationalism
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Letter to Bishop Lee
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
January 1, 1866
Wishes to ascertain what various Bishops think should be their relations with the southern dioceses, (because of Civil War?) with respect to giving and receiving official letters. Mentions his letter to the clergy on rationalism as exhibited in the writings of certain clergymen of the church of England, which will be ready for distribution "this week."
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Letter to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese of Delaware
Charles Petit McIlvaine
January 3, 1866
Certification of the transfer of the Rev. Charles E. McIlvaine to the Diocese of Delaware
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Letter to Charles Pettit McIlvaine
G. T. Bedell
January 13, 1866
The beginnings of the Church of the Holy Spirit
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To Bishop Bedell (?)
Charles Petit McIlvaine
May 1, 1866
McIlvaine considers it forbidden by canon for non-Episcopal clergyman to preach in P.E. Church. May 32, 1866 [sic]
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Letter to Clergyman of Illinois
Charles Petit McIlvaine
October 6, 1866
Your case and that of Cracroft cannot be touched by General Convention because this only a legislative body. The flagrant injustice and oppression by Bishop of West Caroline (Whitehouse) can only be reached by presentment.
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Letter to Charles Pettit McIlvaine
A. Cleveland Coxe
November 30, 1866
Concerned with languages and ideas in a declaration. Attitude toward Bishop Hopkins: is delighted with such an assault and makes capital of it, in his own nauseous and impious state.
