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
J. C. Rochester
June 18, 1860
Thanks the Bishop for his support and makes reference to his (Rochester) recent appointment. Also a visit by the Bishop McIlvaine is planned.
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Letter to G. W. Du Bois (son-in-law)
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
October 3, 1860
Full account of the visit of the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) to McIlvaine's home in Clifton.
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![Letter to C. P. McIlvaine by Bishop H. [Unknown]](https://digital.kenyon.edu/mcilvaine_letters/1053/thumbnail.jpg "Letter to C. P. McIlvaine by Bishop H. [Unknown]")
Letter to C. P. McIlvaine
Bishop H. [Unknown]
October 8, 1860
Discussion of his attempt to procure the Prince of Wales' autograph for McIlvaine's daughter with description of activities of the Prince's visit. This scan is a transcript of the original letter. Location of original is unknown.
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Letter to C. P. McIlvaine
Sylvanus Thayer
October 27, 1860
West Point reminiscences, Prince's visit. Scan is transcript of original letter. Location of original is unknown.
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Letter to G. W. Du Bois (son-in-law)
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
October 31, 1860
Full account of meeting with the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) at West Point, N.Y.
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Letter to President James Buchanan
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
December 7, 1860
Formal request that the President declare a national day for fasting and prayer.
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Letter to C. P. McIlvaine
John McLean
February 1, 1861
Discussion of present state of affairs and the C.S.A. with "but little in the future to hope for"
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Letter to C. P. McIlvaine
James Henry Otey
February 16, 1861
Civil War: meeting of pro-Union people; Tennessee on Union's side but those that control elections are against; visitations; abolitionists; Democratic party is doomed; Buchanan; secession, its effect on the church; runaway slaves, slaveholders' rights; Americans do not listen to their elders
