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 Dennison
Charles Petit McIlvaine
April 4, 1833
KC: Wants Mr. Dennison to resign his position of Professor of Mathematics for the parish so a layman can have his position.
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Letter to McIlvaine
Lord Bexley
April 4, 1833
Lord Bexley tells McIlvaine to expect little material support for the College from England, claims Montgomery West is the primary cause of Bishop Chase's misfortunes.
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Letter to McIlvaine
C. P. Buckingham
July 23, 1833
KC: Buckingham accepts the position of Professor of Mathematics
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Letter to McIlvaine
C. P. Buckingham
November 27, 1835
KC: Buckingham explains himself: he misunderstood the nature of Doctor B's appointment. Explains to McIlvaine the relationship between mathematics and natural philosophy
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Letter to McIlvaine
C. P. Buckingham
May 28, 1836
KC: Buckingham wishes to resign because the distance travelled from his home to the College brings ill effects upon his health. Recommends Mr. Kinsley to be his successor
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Letter to McIlvaine
C. P. Buckingham
June 3, 1836
KC: McIlvaine and Buckingham agree that Buckingham's resignation will be best for the college.
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Letter to McIlvaine
C. P. Buckingham
November 26, 1838
Buckingham's resignation of his office of Trustee of Theological Seminary
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Letter to Fuller
Charles McIlvaine
July 1, 1841
KC: Updates on Kenyon's progress, ordination of new men to the clergy
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Letter to Fuller
Charles McIlvaine
May 15, 1845
KC: Fuller's illness; new president of Kenyon; number of students increasing
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Letter to Fuller
Charles McIlvaine
May 29, 1845
McIlvaine accepts Fuller's resignation of Professorship of Divinity
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Letter to S. P. Chase
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
March 29, 1855
Declines attending a convention with regard to slavery. Feels attributes are the same between himself and writer, but no good will come out of it. Declines to sign an accompanying paper (probably a petition).
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Letter to Rev. Stevens
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
April 3, 1855
CHURCH: supports Duane, Strong, compares Episcopal clergy to other denominations; KC: questions need for longer range of study, WP, Bohlen
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Letter to the Eccl. Authority of the Diocese of Pennsylvania
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
July 23, 1855
CHURCH: accepts J.W. Clanton from Pennsylvania diocese
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Letter to Unknown Reverend
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
November 2, 1855
KC: Lorin Andrews' health, new Rector, Mr. Chipman, McPenger?, Nicholson
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Letter to Charles P. McIlvaine
Bishop Wilson
November 7, 1855
CHURCH: reading "Truth & Life", "Christ in the Church", similar views of doctrine, disciples; Wilson ill; Dr. Smith, McDougal, Queen's mandate, First Episcopal Consecration out of England since the Reformation, Jacques Brooke, Potter, Doane, Wilberforce
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Letter to C.P. McIlvaine
William Jay
November 17, 1855
(CIVIL WAR): anti-slavery, Paine, man who looks white, but of African descent, denied access to education, Rev. Strong, housing for black theological students (Alston)
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Letter to Maria (Mamy) Du Bois (daughter)
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
December 6, 1855
FAMILY: John, Charley; Pierrepont, Dr. Hawks
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Letter to Eccl. Authority of Diocese of Pennsylvania
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
January 17, 1856
CHURCH: transfer of Rev. James Trimble to Diocese of Penn.
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Letter to Rev. Noah Hunt Schenck
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
May 26, 1856
Schenk had just become rector of Harcourt Parish, Gambier, OH. In all, there are 13 separate items of advice. They are chiefly conered with pointing out the best way to lay the foundation for true conversion, how to behave towards those not yet secure in Christ, a warning about too many meetings.
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Letter to Maria (Mamy) Du Bois (daughter)
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
December 19, 1856
FAMILY: Emily, wife ill, Dr. Wood, Charley, Ellen, sister, Nain, daughter
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Memoir of Dr. Francis Wharton
Charles Petit McIlvaine
January 1, 1857
KC: religious revival in Gambier
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Letter to Francis Wharton
Charles Pettit McIlvaine
April 29, 1857
CHURCH, FAMILY: MCI ill, wants son to go into ministry
